Dinkey Creek
Dinkey Creek is spread out along the banks of its namesake creek in a thick forest of Ponderosa pines and cedars. The facility's high country setting with trees, streams and open space, make it a scenic destination for all types of visitors.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 71 |
| Tent-only | 51 |
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
123 sites in 10 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | B | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 002 | B | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 003 | B | Tent only | Back-in | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 004 | B | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | B | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 006 | B | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | B | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 008 | B | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 009 | B | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 010 | B | Tent only | Back-in | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | 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 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 002, 017, 031, 032 and 20 more are listed accessible |
There is a group site that can accommodate up to 50 people. The rest are a mix of standard or tent-only single sites. An on-site amphitheater offers educational programs on summer weekends. There is a picnic site located on large sandy flat above the creek at the north end of the campground. All sites have paved spurs, picnic tables and fire grills; accessible sites are available. Drinking water and both vault and flush toilets are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May to October |
| Forest | Sierra National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) @ 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. |
| Fees | $259.00 per night |
| Rules | Max. Vehicle Length: 35' Max. Length of Stay: 14 days Max. Group Size: 50 Dinkey Creek Group Campground is within Loop A. Reservations can be made up to 1 day prior to arrival. 2 night minimum stay on weekends. 3 night minimum stay on holiday weekends. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Clovis, California, travel east on Highway 168 to Shaver Lake. Turn southeast onto Dinkey Creek Road and travel 13 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Shaver Lake, California |
| Coordinates | 37.0681° N, 119.1570° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Any location or activity requiring a permit or lottery will have unique requirements and policies. Please check individual facility pages for pertinent information for those sites. Booking Window For most locations, you can reserve six months in advance of your stay for individual sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility. Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.).
Fire nearby
- PrescribedGrant Grove Rx Spring
24 mi from the campground · 15 acres
- PrescribedGrant Grove Fall Rx
24 mi from the campground
- WildfireLand
29 mi from the campground · 20 acres
- WildfireDome
43 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
| Outdoor gear | Shaver Lake Sports ↗ | 9.3 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 9.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 57.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Dinkey Creek Campground (CA)
Worth a stop
McKinley Grove is 6 miles away. Famous for its giant Redwoods, the area offers leisurely hikes and picnicking opportunities.
- 0.3 mi
- 1.3 miTrails End Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 7 miTamarack Ridge Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9 miDorabelle Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 12.6 miHuntington Boat Ramp & Launching Site ↗Boat launch
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miSnow Corral ↗13.9 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.3 miGlen Meadow0.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.5 miDinkey Staging0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 2 miPine0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 2 miV Rock0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 2 miBald Mountain T70.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.3 miTrails End Trailhead ↗Sierra National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside John Muir Wilderness, which overlaps Sierra National Forest.
- inJohn Muir Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 652,903 acres
- inSierra National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,418,790 acres
- 5.8 miDinkey Lakes Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 30,863 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Dinkey Creek BridgeStructure · Dinkey Creek · 0.2 mi
Natural features
The Sierra National Forest, located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada, is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and abundant natural resources. The terrain includes rolling, oak-covered foothills, heavily forested middle elevation slopes and the starkly beautiful alpine landscape of the High Sierra.
Recreation
Dinkey Creek has 2 swimming areas: The Slicks and Honeymoon Pool, both of which contain pools carved out of granite. Anglers can fish Dinkey Creek for brown and rainbow trout. Hikers can walk the Dinkey Creek Trail. Mountain bikers also have trail access in this area.
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 Dinkey Creek?
Sites at Dinkey Creek are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) @ 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Dinkey Creek?
$259.00 per night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Dinkey Creek?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Dinkey Creek?
Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.).
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Dinkey Creek open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Dinkey Creek have?
123 sites, including 71 standard sites without power, 51 tent-only sites, and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Dinkey Creek?
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 there showers or a dump station at Dinkey Creek?
Drinking water and both vault and flush toilets are provided.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Dinkey Creek?
Yes, pets are allowed at Dinkey Creek. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Dinkey Creek?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Max.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Dinkey Creek?
Sites 002, 017, 031, and 032 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 24 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Dinkey Creek?
Dinkey Creek has 2 swimming areas: The Slicks and Honeymoon Pool, both of which contain pools carved out of granite. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation