Spinning Wheel Campground

Closed — Closed for the winter season. Typical operating season is May through October, subject to weather and snow conditions.

National Forest System Roads

Follow California Vehicle Code on National Forest System Roads

Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited

Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…

Forest Order No. STF-16-2026-02 Cottonwood Temporary Road Closure

Cottonwood Road Temporary Closure for storm damage repairs

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

(The following two sentences are in Spanish relaying information on the importance of this notice. Translated to English, it would read as follows: [This notice contains important information regarding your drinking water, please read the Spanish notice if it is included. If the Spanish notice is…

Temporary Road Closures

This Forest Order closes the below listed roads beginning Aug 7, expiring on Dec 31, 2026. Calaveras District Roads (Exhibit A):• Forest Road No. 4N40• Forest Road No. 4N80Y (Candy Rock Road), from the gate at approximately 3.5 miles fromHighway 4 then continuing to its terminus. 36 CFR…

Winter Storm Warning issued April 9 at 11:46AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Sacramento CA

April 9th, 11:46 AM — 5:15 PM

* WHAT...Heavy snow. Total snow accumulations 1 to 2 feet above 4500 feet, with up to 3 to 4 feet at the highest peaks. Minor snowfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches down to 4000 feet. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada and Western Plumas County/Lassen Park above 4500 feet. * WHEN...From 5 PM Friday to 11 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute and weekend mountain travel. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels generally remain above pass levels through Friday afternoon, dropping to around 6000-7000 ft Friday night-Saturday, then lowering to around 4000-5000 ft late Saturday into Sunday. Heaviest snow rates and lowest snow levels will be Saturday afternoon through Sunday.

About

Spinning Wheel Camping Area is a small campground situated in the Stanislaus National Forest's Groveland Ranger District, providing convenient access to both Yosemite National Park and Cherry Lake recreation areas. The campground is located along Highway 120 in mixed conifer forest at approximately 3,800 feet elevation. This camping area offers basic amenities including vault toilets and bear boxes, with sites equipped with picnic tables and campfire pits with grills. No drinking water is available on-site, so campers must bring their own supply. The campground operates on a fee basis at $25 per night for single sites, with payment accepted by cash or check. Some sites may be reservable through the standard reservation system. The location provides easy access to Highway 120 corridor recreation opportunities, including nearby Sweetwater Campground and the scenic Cherry Lake area. The Groveland Ranger District experiences less frequent snow-related closures than higher elevation areas of the forest, though seasonal closures and road restrictions do apply during winter months.

Directions

From Highway 120 East, head towards Sweetwater Campground area. Turn onto Forest Road 1S15Y to access the campground.

Nearby Campgrounds

Amenities

Water No
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 $25

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

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