Sawmill Meadows Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Typically operates from early June through mid-October, weather permitting. Winter snow closes Saddlebag Lake Road.
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 9,800 feet near the boundary of the Hoover Wilderness, Sawmill Walk-in Campground offers a primitive camping experience for those seeking solitude in a high alpine environment. The campground's 12 walk-in sites are accessed via a quarter-mile dirt trail from a small parking area along Saddlebag Lake Road, making it ideal for backpack-style camping. Each campsite includes a table, fire ring, and food storage locker. Most sites provide shade and accommodate up to two tents. Two vault toilets are located between sites 8 and 9. There is no piped water; campers must treat water from nearby Lee Vining Creek. All trash must be packed out. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration at the entrance. The campground borders the Harvey Monroe Hall Natural Area, a restricted research zone established to study climate change effects at high elevation by comparing historical and current data. Day hiking is permitted, but overnight use beyond the campground boundary is prohibited. Bears are active in this area; use of the provided bear boxes is mandatory.
Directions
From US 395 at Lee Vining, head west on CA 120, then turn north onto Saddlebag Lake Road (Forest Road 04). Continue 1.5 miles to the campground entrance on the left. Park in the designated parking area and walk the quarter-mile trail to reach the campsites.
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 | $25 |
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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