Minaret Falls Campground
Closed — Closed for the season due to Reds Meadow Road reconstruction. The road closure order remains in effect through December 31, 2025. The campground typically operates summer only, with 2025 access significantly limited by ongoing reconstruction work. The road is closed to vehicles during winter but open for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
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.
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.
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.
Reds Meadow Road Closure Order
This Forest Closure Order prohibits being on the entirety of Reds Meadow Road to provide public safety during the 2025 reconstruction season.
ESCCRP Project Area Closure
This forest order prohibits access to roads affected by the ESCRRP project to provide for public safety while contractors perform forest health and fuels reduction work surrounding the Town of Mammoth Lakes and beyond.
Inn Fire Closure Order
This Forest Closure Order prohibits entrance into the Inn Fire Area Closure to protect public health and safety from environmental hazards, wildfire, and wildfire suppression operations.
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.
About
Located at 7,600 feet elevation in the scenic Reds Meadow Valley, Minaret Falls Campground provides 27 campsites in a heavily forested high Sierra setting within Inyo National Forest. Access is via the narrow, single-lane Reds Meadow Road, which is only open during summer months and accessible by private vehicle only for campers. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. This is an active bear area with historically high levels of bear activity. Each campsite is equipped with a bear-proof locker (48"x30"x36"), and proper food storage is mandatory. All food, scented items, and trash must be stored in the bear lockers or bear-proof receptacles. The campground provides vault toilets and potable water from a hand pump. Each site includes a picnic table and fire pit. Campers driving into Reds Meadow Valley must pay an amenity fee. The campground is a popular base for exploring Devils Postpile National Monument, Rainbow Falls, and wilderness trails in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Directions
Take US 395 to State Highway 203. Head west through Mammoth Lakes. At the 2nd traffic light, turn right onto Minaret Road and continue up the mountain past Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge and Minaret Vista Station.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
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 | $32 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| sm.fs.infcontactus@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (760) 924-5500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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