Coldwater Campground
Closed for the season. Typically operates June through September or October 1, conditions permitting. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.
From Recreation.gov
**EXTRA VEHICLE FEES: One vehicle is included in your reservation. Any additional vehicles will be charged $10.00 per vehicle, per night and will be collected by the camp host.**
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Help Halt Golden Mussel Invasion
The non-native, highly invasive golden mussel was discovered in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in October 2024. Once established, they can affect flood control by reducing water flow and contribute to harmful algal blooms. Please contact the waterbody you plan to visit for latest information about…
Monache Meadows Area Seasonal Road Closure
To provide for public safety and protection of natural resources during snowy and muddy conditions.
Stay Limits, Parking, and Developed Recreation Site Use
This forest order was put in place to protect natural resources and promote public safety.
Reds Meadow Road Reconstruction Project
www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/projects/reds-meadow-road-reconstruction
Wilderness Use Restrictions
This Forest Order prohibits recreating within the portions of the John Muir, Ansel Adams, Hoover, and Golden Trout Wildernesses located in the Inyo National Forest. Please click on the PDF version for all Exhibit maps B - G. The website will not allow for more JPG formats to be uploaded than what…
Mount Whitney Zone Access Restrictions
This forest order prohibits recreating in the Mount Whitney Zone to provide for public safety and protect natural resources.
Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Campfire Restrictions
This forest order prohibits campfires in portions of Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Areas that are located on the Inyo National Forest, as shown on the Exhibits.Please click on the PDF version for all Exhibit maps B - S. The website will not allow for more JPG formats to be uploaded than what…
Golden Trout and Hoover Wilderness Campfire Restrictions
This forest order prohibits campfires in portions of Golden Trout and Hoover Wilderness Areas that are located on the Inyo National Forest, as shown in the Exhibits.
Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project Area Closure
This forest order prohibits access to roads affected by the Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project to provide for public safety while contractors perform forest health and fuels reduction work surrounding the Town of Mammoth Lakes and beyond. The closure orders are dynamic and…
Hot Creek Closure Order
This Forest Order prohibits recreating in Hot Creek within the Mammoth Ranger District.
Goat Prohibition Order
This Forest Order prohibits possessing or storing a goat within the Inyo National Forest Goat Prohibition Area.
Mammoth Mill Site Area and Trail Closure
This Forest Order prohibits recreating, entering or being in the Mammoth Mill Site Closure Area and the Mammoth Stamp Mill Trail.
B&B Mine Closure Order
This Forest Order prohibits recreating within the B&B Mine and Mill Site Closure Area.
Food and Refuse Storage Restrictions
This Forest Order prohibits food and refuse in locations in Exhibits A and C-J, unless stored in a bear-resistant container. Food and refuse in locations shown in Exhibit B must be stored in a bear-resistant container OR counter-balanced at least 15 feet above the ground and 10 feet horizontally…
About
Coldwater Campground is one of the largest and most popular campgrounds in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, located at 8,900 feet elevation in a scenic lodgepole pine forest. The campground sits on a forested hillside between Coldwater and Mammoth Creeks, with large and small boulders strewn throughout the area. Crystal clear Lake Mary is nearby, offering fishing opportunities for rainbow, brook, and brown trout. The campground features 77 campsites capable of accommodating RVs and trailers up to 30 feet, though sites are situated on sloped terrain. Each site includes a picnic table and campfire ring with bear-proof food storage boxes provided at every site. Flush toilets and drinking water via hand pump are available throughout the campground. Coldwater serves as an excellent base for backcountry exploration, with major trailheads providing access to the John Muir Wilderness. The popular 5-mile Duck Pass Trail climbs the forested hillside behind the campground, passing several alpine lakes before crossing Duck Pass to join the John Muir Trail. Additional trails lead to Emerald Lake, Sky Meadows, and Heart Lake. A quarter-mile self-guided walking tour of the historic Mammoth Consolidated Mine site offers an easy educational outing. The paved Lake Mary Loop Road is ideal for family cycling, fishing, and lake access.
Directions
From U.S. Highway 395, turn west onto State Highway 203 and drive 7 miles through Mammoth Lakes. Highway 203 becomes Main Street, then Lake Mary Road. Continue on Lake Mary Road into the Lakes Basin. Past the first lake, take the second left. Coldwater Campground is the second campground on the left.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $33 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 43ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 43ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| clm@clm-services.com | |
| Phone | +1 (760) 924-5500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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