Wildcat Recreation Area Campground
Wildcat Recreation Area Campground on Eastman Lake is a perfect launchpad for activities like canoeing, birding and hiking. Tucked in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the area attracts abundant wildlife like bobcats, golden eagles, mountain lions, hawks and wood ducks. Wildcat Recreation Area Campground includes three equestrian sites with horse corrals.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 16 |
| Equestrian | 3 |
Site guide
19 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W01 | Standard | Back-in | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| W02 | Standard | Pull-through | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| W03 | Standard | Pull-through | 50 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| W04 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| W05 | Standard | 60 | Paved | Partial | 8 / – | Yes | |
| W06 | Standard | Pull-through | 60 | Paved | Partial | 8 / – | Yes |
| W07 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| W08 | Standard | Back-in | 37 | Paved | Partial | 8 / – | Yes |
| W09 | Standard | Pull-through | 50 | Paved | Partial | 8 / – | Yes |
| W10 | Standard | Pull-through | 60 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Wildcat Recreation Area Campground facility offers areas for camping, horse corrals, water, BBQs, fire pits, picnic tables, toilets, and access to showers.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
| Nearest town | Raymond, California |
| Coordinates | 37.2072° N, 119.9664° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireDome
31 mi from the campground · 6,788 acres · 95% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 6.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sierra Nevada Trading Company ↗ | 20.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Toscano RV Outlet ↗ | 50.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
PPR EP11: Wildcat Recreation Area
Worth a stop
The Sierra National Forest is a short drive to the east of the campground.
- 4.9 miDutch/Hidden Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Other campgrounds nearby
Natural features
The rolling hills around Buchanan Dam, H.V. Eastman Lake are surrounded by tall grasses and scattered oak trees, giving way to stunning mountain views. The lake features 1,780 surface acres, fed by the cool waters of the Chowchilla River.
Recreation
Eastman Lake is the first designated Trophy Bass Fishery, by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Both young and old anglers will find fishing on Eastman lake a satisfying challenge. Wildcat Recreation Area Campground at Buchanan Dam, H.V. Eastman Lake is a perfect launchpad for activities like horseback riding, birding and hiking.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Wildcat Recreation Area Campground?
Sites at Wildcat Recreation Area Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Wildcat Recreation Area Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Wildcat Recreation Area Campground have?
19 sites, including 16 standard sites without power and 3 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Wildcat Recreation Area Campground?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Wildcat Recreation Area Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Wildcat Recreation Area Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Wildcat Recreation Area Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Wildcat Recreation Area Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Wildcat Recreation Area Campground?
Eastman Lake is the first designated Trophy Bass Fishery, by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Wildcat Recreation Area Campground?
Raymond, California. The Sierra National Forest is a short drive to the east of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Wildcat Recreation Area Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Wildcat Equestrian Area (0.2 mi), Codorniz Recreation Area Campground (0.6 mi), and Hidden View (6.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby