Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp
Closed — Closed for the season. The campground typically operates from late June through September, with exact opening dates dependent on snowpack. Reservations required.
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
Trailhead Group Campground, also known as Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp, is located in the eastern high Sierra Nevada Mountains of California at just over 10,000 feet in elevation. The facility sits in a pine forest adjacent to the scenic 600-acre Saddlebag Lake and provides a quiet mountain getaway for groups of up to 25 people. The campground must be reserved in advance and cannot accommodate walk-up camping. The eastern Sierras are renowned for trout fishing, and Saddlebag Lake offers excellent opportunities for rainbow, brook, and brown trout. Anglers can access a nearby boat ramp or fish from shore, with a 15 mph speed limit on the lake. The majestic scenery and challenging trails are a major draw, with the Twenty Lakes Basin Trail providing direct access into the Hoover Wilderness. The area is within a two-hour drive of both Yosemite National Park and Mono Lake. This is an active bear area, and all food must be stored in the provided bear boxes. The campground is suitable only for small RVs or short trailers due to the steep, narrow access road. The high elevation means cold nights even in summer, and the campground operates seasonally, typically from late June through September, with exact dates dependent on snowpack and weather conditions.
Directions
From US Highway 395 at Lee Vining, take State Highway 120 west for 10 miles toward Tioga Pass. Turn right onto Forest Road 1N04 toward Saddlebag Lake and proceed 2.4 miles. Take the first right just past the open gate. The group campground is on the right, just past the restroom.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| 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 | $125 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| clm@clm-services.com |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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