Highland Creek

CA
Directions to Highland Lakes Lower Campground
38.447°N 119.857°W7,171 ft
Camping

Photo: JasonParis · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Rentals, stays & trips for Highland CreekPartner links · same price for you
Campsites near Highland CreekPrivate sites when the public ones are fullHipcamp Stay near Highland CreekLake cabins, vacation homes and hotelsExpedia · Vrbo Rent an RVCampervans delivered to campOutdoorsy Gear for the dayKayaks, PFDs and shadeREI

Heads up: Weekends near the water fill first. Book the campsite before the gear.

Campsites near Highland CreekHipcamp · partner link→
Gear up for Highland Creek
Folding kayaksOru Kayak Tents, coolers & camp gearREI Sun and rain layersPatagonia Paddle and outdoor gearBackcountry
Partner links
Guides for Highland CreekCamping →
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · USGS 3DHP and National Atlas (via Esri)
2011 UTSC Instructional Centre (Highland Creek) (7938686552).jpg
JasonParis · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
2011 U of T Scarborough Campus (Highland Creek) (7938683750).jpg
JasonParis · CC BY 2.0
Highland Creek Parkette Toronto, July 12 2026.jpg
Dillan Payne · CC BY-SA 4.0
Highland Creek Village in Scarborough, July 12 2026 (06).jpg
Dillan Payne · CC BY-SA 4.0

Quick facts

Type
River
State
California
Length
About 19.2 miles
Elevation
7,171 ft
Boat ramps
None listed
Campgrounds
4
Fish species
None recorded

Get on the water

Ramps & rentals

Boat ramps and marinasNone listed yet in Recreation.gov or OpenStreetMap for this water.
No boat rentals here

Bring the boat on wheels

Rent a campervan and paddle from shore, or gear up for a day at the water.

Affiliate links

Where to stay

Camp near the water

Highland Lakes Lower Campground

· 0.1 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Highland Lakes Upper Campground

· 0.1 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Stanislaus River Campground

USDA Forest Service · USDA Forest Service
· 0.3 mi from the water
Directions
Recreation.gov

Hells Kitchen Campground

US Forest Service · US Forest Service
· 0.3 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Public sites full?

Private sites nearby

Ranch, desert and waterfront sites hosted by landowners.

Affiliate link
Rather sleep indoors?

Cabins and hotels near Highland Creek

Lake houses, cabins and hotels close to the water, with free cancellation on many stays.

Affiliate link
No rig? No problem

RV delivered to camp

Some owners will drop a trailer at the campground and pick it up when you leave.

Affiliate links

Off the water

Nearby trails

Highland Creek Trailhead

Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Union Rock Lake Trail

· 0.1 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Highland Creek Trail

· 0.4 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Highland Lakes - Arnot Creek Loop

· 1.1 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Elephant Rock Trail

· 1.2 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Milk Ranch Meadow Trail

· 1.4 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Wheats Meadow Trail

· 1.6 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Woods Gulch-Jenkins Canyon Trail

· 1.7 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Arnot Creek Trail

· 2.7 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Trailheads from OpenStreetMap and hand-checked notes. Open the trailhead in your hiking app for full route details.

Before you launch

Gas, bait & supplies nearby

Gas and fuel docks

Bait and tackle

  • Bear Valley Adventure Company Su-Mo 09:00-17:00
    2.9 miDirections
  • Sierra Nevada Adventure Co.
    27.5 miDirections

Groceries and ice

RV dump and fresh water

Ranger stations

  • Summit Ranger Station Mo-Fr 09:00-15:00
    13.8 miDirections
  • Calaveras Ranger Station 5519 Highway 4, Hathaway Pines
    21.2 miCallDirections
  • Calavaras District Ranger Station 5519 Ebbetts Pass Highway
    21.2 miCallDirections
  • Mi-Wuk Ranger Station 24695 Sonora Pass Highway
    23.2 miCallDirections

Hospitals and urgent care

  • Health Clinic
    19.3 miDirections
  • Carson Valley Medical CenterEmergency 1107 US 395, Gardnerville · 24/7
    30.2 miCallDirections
  • Tuolumne MeWuk Indian Health Center
    30.7 miCallDirections
  • Barton Memorial HospitalEmergency 2170 South Avenue, South Lake Tahoe · 24/7
    31.0 miCallDirections

Distances are straight-line from the water. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors; hours change, so call ahead. In an emergency, call 911.

Trip planner

Build your weekend

How many days
Who's coming
Main thing

Packing list

Don't forget

Good to know

Highland Creek FAQ

Where can I camp near Highland Creek?

Campgrounds near the water include Highland Lakes Lower Campground, Highland Lakes Upper Campground, Stanislaus River Campground, Hells Kitchen Campground. When public sites are full, private sites nearby are listed on Hipcamp.

Is there gas near Highland Creek?

The closest listed fuel is Gas station, about 2.9 miles from the water.

Where can I buy bait near Highland Creek?

Bait and tackle nearby: Bear Valley Adventure Company (2.9 mi), Sierra Nevada Adventure Co. (27.5 mi). Hours change, so call ahead.

Keep exploring

Nearby water

South Fork American River39 miLake Tahoe46 miNew Melones Lake48 mi · 63% fullMerced River54 mi

Sources: USGS 3DHP and National Atlas (rivers via Esri Living Atlas), Recreation.gov RIDB, OpenStreetMap contributors, CDFW and AZGFD, GBIF, NWS. Photo credits are listed on the photo credits page. All outbound links are affiliate links.