Saddlebag Lake Campground
Closed — The campground is currently closed for winter. Saddlebag Lake Campground typically opens in late June and closes in September, with exact dates varying based on snow conditions and road accessibility via Highway 120 (Tioga Pass) and Saddlebag Lake Road. The site was last updated by the Forest Service in November 2025. Check road conditions before planning your trip as access depends on seasonal road openings.
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
Saddlebag Lake Campground is a high-alpine retreat situated at 10,000 feet elevation in the Inyo National Forest, just east of Yosemite National Park. As one of California's highest drive-to campgrounds, it offers visitors a truly spectacular mountain experience near the shores of Saddlebag Lake, with the Hoover Wilderness at your doorstep. The campground features 20 individual campsites and 1 large group site, all available on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. Each campsite includes a picnic table, fire pit, and access to bear-proof food storage boxes—essential in this active bear country. The facility provides vault toilets and potable water, making it suitable for tent campers and small RVs or short trailers, though no hookups are available. Saddlebag Lake Campground serves as a premier gateway to the 20 Lakes Basin, one of the Sierra Nevada's most spectacular hiking and backpacking destinations. A loop trail circles Saddlebag Lake, and multiple trails extend into the wilderness beyond. Fishing is popular in the lake and surrounding waters. The high elevation provides cool summer temperatures and stunning alpine scenery, with dramatic peaks surrounding the lake basin. Due to its high elevation and dependence on snow conditions and road access via Highway 120 (Tioga Pass) and Saddlebag Lake Road, the campground is typically open from late June through September, weather permitting. Visitors should be prepared for cold nights even in summer and afternoon thunderstorms common in the high country. The $30 per night fee includes one vehicle, with an additional $10 fee for extra vehicles. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Directions
From US Highway 395 at Lee Vining, drive west on California Highway 120 (Tioga Pass Road) for approximately 10 miles. Turn right (north) onto Forest Road 04 (Saddlebag Lake Road) and continue to the campground at road's end near Saddlebag Lake.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $30 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (760) 647-3044 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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