California / Madera County / Sierra National Forest

Chilkoot

Closed — Closed for the season. Operates seasonally from May through September. Reservations open through Recreation.gov with a 3-day advance booking requirement.

About

Named for the creek that runs alongside it, Chilkoot Campground offers a rustic camping experience in Sierra National Forest at approximately 4,600 feet elevation. The facility is shaded by a mature grove of ponderosa pine, fir, and cedar, providing comfortable temperatures even during the hottest summer days. Each campsite features a gravel parking spur, picnic table, and fire ring, with some sites located on slopes that are unsuitable for tents while others are designated tent-only. This campground provides vault toilets and a camp host but no potable water, so visitors must bring their own. The rustic setting appeals to campers seeking a more primitive experience while still having basic amenities. Anglers can fish Chilkoot Creek for channel catfish, sucker, and brown trout. The popular Bass Lake recreation area is just a few miles away, offering motorized and non-motorized boating, swimming, water skiing, and additional fishing opportunities. Managed by California Land Management concessionaire, Chilkoot operates seasonally from May through September. Reservations through Recreation.gov require a minimum 3-day advance booking, with 2-night minimums on weekends and 3-night minimums on holidays. The campground sees heavy use during peak season and is located within an hour's drive of Yosemite National Park, making it a convenient base for exploring the Sierra Nevada.

Directions

From Oakhurst, take Highway 41 north through town to Road 222. Turn right on Road 222 and travel about 4 miles to the intersection with Road 274 (Beasore Road). Continue north on Beasore Road for 5 miles, then turn left at road sign 5S07V and follow to the campground.

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