Sweetwater
Sweetwater Campground remains closed due to the 2020 Creek Wildfire Sweetwater Campground is laid out in a single loop along Chiquito Creek, shaded by pine, oak and cedar trees. Most sites overlook the creek or a brook that also runs by the campground.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
11 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fires |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | ||
| 002 | ||
| 003 | ||
| 004 | ||
| 005 | ||
| 006 | ||
| 007 | ||
| 008 | ||
| 009 | ||
| FS1-20 | Back-in | 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 0:00 AM, checkout 0:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 20 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Each campsite contains a picnic table, grill and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided. Campers must bring drinking water. Supplies are available nearby at Wagner's Mammoth Pool Resort. Parking spurs are dirt and paved, but tight turns and trees at the edge of interior roads make this camp most ideal for pop-up tent trailers, slide-ins and tent campers.
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 | June |
| Forest | Sierra National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) @ 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. |
| Fees | $23.62 ($26.22) per night, single site $43.24 ($48.00) per night, double site $7.00 per night, per additional vehicle (taxes included) |
| Rules | Reservations must be made at least three days in advance of arrival. There is a two night minimum stay on weekends and a three minimum night stay during holidays. Maximum stay = 14 days Maximum vehicle length = 20 foot Maximum group size = 6 per site |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Fresno, California, take Highway 41 north. Turn northeast on Forest Road 200 and pass through North Fork. Take Minarets Road east and follow it 37 miles. Turn right on Mammoth Pool Road and follow it 2 miles to Sweetwater Campground.
| Coordinates | 37.3650° N, 119.3522° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireDome
20 mi from the campground · 6,788 acres · 95% contained
- PrescribedGrant Grove Rx Spring
47 mi from the campground · 15 acres
- PrescribedGrant Grove Fall Rx
47 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Sierra Nevada Trading Company ↗ | 16.1 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 16.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Sweetwater Campground Review - North of Atlanta - Army Corps of Engineers Campground
Worth a stop
A popular pastime in the area is taking a drive on the 83-mile Sierra Vista Scenic Byway.
- 2.8 mi
- 8.5 miLogan Meadow Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.6 miDowville Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 11.2 miBilly Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.6 miHuntington Boat Ramp & Launching Site ↗Boat launch
Trails nearby
- 1.4 miFrench ↗21.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.9 miFuller1 mi trail · motorcycle, e-bike
- 2.3 miShuteye Pass2.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.6 miMammoth Pool Dam1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.3 miBunting0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 4.3 miShuteye Lookout3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
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 Sierra National Forest.
- inSierra National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,418,790 acres
- 6.6 miKaiser Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 21,986 acres
- 7.6 miAnsel Adams Wilderness ↗Wilderness · FS/NPS · 231,619 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
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. Sweetwater Campground is located close to Mammoth Pool Reservoir near the Ansel Adams Wilderness. This area is known for its jagged peaks, including 13,157-foot Mt. Ritter, and numerous lakes and streams.
Recreation
The campground attracts visitors primarily for its fishing and swimming holes. Many recreational activities are available at Mammoth Pool, including boating, trout fishing, hiking and swimming.
Guidebooks for California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Sweetwater?
Sites at Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater?
$23.62 ($26.22) per night, single site $43.24 ($48.00) per night, double site $7.00 per night, per additional vehicle (taxes included)
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Sweetwater?
Check-in 0:00 AM, checkout 0:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Sweetwater open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season June.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Sweetwater have?
12 sites, including 12 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Sweetwater?
The longest site here provides 20 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 Sweetwater?
Yes, pets are allowed at Sweetwater. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Sweetwater?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Reservations must be made at least three days in advance of arrival.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Sweetwater?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 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 Sweetwater?
The campground attracts visitors primarily for its fishing and swimming holes. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Sweetwater is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Mammoth Pool (1.8 mi), Soda Springs Campground (2.3 mi, first-come), and Little Jackass Campground (2.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
