Chilkoot
Chilkoot is named for the creek that runs by the campground. The facility is shaded by a grove of Ponderosa pine, fir and cedar, and offers ample space for tent or RV camping. This campground is located at an elevation of approximately 4,600 feet, providing a comfortable camping experience during the hottest days of summer.
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 |
| Tent-only | 7 |
| Walk-in | 4 |
| Host/management | 7 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
22 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 2 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 3 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 4 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 5 | 1 | Tent only | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 6 | 1 | Tent only | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 7 | 1 | Tent only | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 8 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 9 | 1 | Walk-in | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |||
| 10 | 1 | Walk-in | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 54 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This rustic campground provides a host and vault toilets but no water. Each unit has a gravel parking spur, picnic table and fire ring. Some sites are located on slopes and are not suitable for tents, while other sites are tent only.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Directions from Fresno: Take Highway 41 through Oakhurst, California. Turn east on Forest Road 222 (Bass Lake turnoff) and continue on for 7 miles. Turn left onto Beashore Road, follow Beashore Road for 4 miles to the Chilkoot Campground.
| Coordinates | 37.3675° N, 119.5374° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireDome
14 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 | Sierra Nevada Trading Company ↗ | 5.9 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 13.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Chilkoot Campground | Sierra National Forest | California | Site by Site Tour
Worth a stop
Yosemite National Park can be reached in under an hour from Chilkoot Campground. The South Fork of the Merced River is also nearby, which is popular for whitewater rafting.
- 3.1 miThe Falls Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 4 miLakeside Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 5.2 mi
- 7.1 miKamook Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 13.4 miWawona Visitor Center At Hill's Studio ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 0.8 miWillow Ridgeunder 0.1 mi trail · ATV, e-bike
- 1.3 miHouse0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.3 miMac Flat0.6 mi trail · motorcycle, ATV, e-bike
- 1.4 miHouse T20.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 more
- 1.5 miChurch Key0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.5 miHouse T10.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 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
- 14.3 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
On the National Register nearby
- Mariposa Grove MuseumBuilding · Wawona · 10.7 mi
- Acting Superintendent's HeadquartersBuilding · Wawona · 13.5 mi
- Hodgdon Homestead CabinBuilding · Wawona · 13.5 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
A popular recreation and resort area is a few miles away at Bass Lake. Activities here include motorized and non-motorized boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, sailing and water skiing. Anglers can fish in Chilkoot Creek for channel catfish, sucker and brown trout. Other nearby activities include hiking the Buena Vista trail and paddling on Willow Creek.
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 Chilkoot?
Sites at Chilkoot are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Chilkoot?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Chilkoot have?
34 sites, including 16 standard sites without power, 7 tent-only sites, and 4 walk-in sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Chilkoot?
The longest site here provides 54 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 Chilkoot?
Yes, pets are allowed at Chilkoot. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Chilkoot?
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 Chilkoot?
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 Chilkoot?
A popular recreation and resort area is a few miles away at Bass Lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Chilkoot is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Greys Mountain Campground (2.6 mi, first-come), Soquel Campground (3.1 mi), and Whiskers Campground (3.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby