Sawmill Meadows Campground

About

Sawmill Walk-in Campground offers a semi-backcountry camping experience at 9,800 feet elevation, perched near the boundary of the Hoover Wilderness in the eastern Sierra. Accessed via Saddlebag Lake Road from Highway 120, the campground requires a walk of more than a quarter mile on a dirt trail from the 15-space parking area to reach the sites, making it suited to backpack-style camping rather than car camping. The 12 campsites are spread along Lee Vining Creek, with most sites offering shade and room for up to two tents. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and a bear-resistant food storage locker (approximately 48" x 30" x 36"). Two vault toilets are located between sites 8 and 9. There is no piped water; campers must treat water from the creek or bring their own supply. All trash must be packed out. Hiking beyond the campground is limited to day use only, as the area enters the Harvey Monroe Hall Natural Area, a research zone with historical records used to study climate change effects at high elevation. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration at the entrance.

Directions

From US 395 at Lee Vining, drive west on CA 120. Turn north onto Saddlebag Lake Road (Forest Road 04). The campground parking area has 15 spaces; sites require a quarter-mile walk from the parking area.