Coldwater Campground
Coldwater Campground is located high in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains near the town of Mammoth Lakes, California. The surrounding national forest provides many opportunities for family fun, outdoor recreation and relaxation. Hiking, fishing, road cycling and picnicking are just some of the favorite activities available to campers.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 74 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 43 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
74 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 18 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Back-in | 30 | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 004 | Back-in | 34 | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | Back-in | 36 | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 006 | Back-in | 28 | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Back-in | 26 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Back-in | 24 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 011 | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | 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 | 43 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Campsites are organized into two loops, with sites fairly close together and near either creek. Pressurized water spigots and flush toilets are provided throughout the facility, and there are picnic tables, campfire rings and bear-proof food storage lockers at each campsite.
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. |
| Forest | Inyo National Forest |
| Booking | This site can be reserved at Coldwater Campground - Inyo Nf (CA), Inyo National Forest - Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | $32.00 per night per site |
| Rules | Active bear area, bear boxes are provided and must be used (typical bear box size 48" x 30" x 36"). |
Weather by month
Getting there
Coldwater Campground is 320 miles north of Los Angeles and 180 miles south of Reno. Follow U.S. Highway 395 to the junction of State Highway 203. Turn west on 203 and drive 7 miles through the town of Mammoth Lakes. Highway 203 becomes Main Street, then Lake Mary Road, which will lead to the Lakes Basin.
| Coordinates | 37.5995° N, 118.9967° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireDome
34 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 ↗ | 3.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Mountain Shop & Mountaineering School ↗ | 32.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Coldwater Campground Best Campsites - Inyo National Forest, CA
Trails nearby
- 0.6 miBarrett Lake to Lake Mary1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miColdwater Cg to Lake George2.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miTj Lake Loop0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miHeart Lake1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.7 miDuck Pass3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miMammoth Lakes Pack Station1.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.4 miT.J. Lake Trailhead ↗Inyo National Forest
- 1.3 miMammoth Rock Trailhead ↗Inyo National Forest
- 1.5 miPanorama Dome Trailhead ↗Inyo National Forest
- 1.6 miMammoth Pass Trailhead ↗Inyo 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 Ansel Adams Wilderness, which overlaps Sierra National Forest.
- inAnsel Adams Wilderness ↗Wilderness · FS/NPS · 231,619 acres
- inSierra National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,418,790 acres
- 6.4 miOwens River Headwaters Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 14,698 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
- Devils Postpile National Monument Ranger CabinBuilding · Mammoth Lakes · 5.3 mi
Natural features
This campground sits in a pine forest at an elevation of 8,900 feet. Large and small boulders are strewn about the campground. Coldwater and Mammoth Creeks run alongside the campsites. Crystal clear Lake Mary, one of several lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, is nearby. The Eastern Sierras are abundant with wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Recreation
Coldwater offers easy access to fishing for rainbow, brook and brown trout in Lake Mary. Major trailheads lead into the backcountry. Several interesting trails offer a variety of hikes, including the 5-mile Duck Pass Trail, which climbs the forested hillside behind the campground and passes several lakes before heading over Duck Pass to join the John Muir Trail.
Nearby
Visitors can explore the magnificent John Muir Wilderness, which stretches 100 miles along the crest of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially-carved terrain. Hiking and horseback riding trails are abundant.
Guidebooks for Inyo National Forest and 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 Coldwater Campground?
Sites at Coldwater Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. This site can be reserved at Coldwater Campground - Inyo Nf (CA), Inyo National Forest - Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Coldwater Campground?
$32.00 per night per site
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Coldwater Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Coldwater Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Coldwater Campground have?
74 sites, including 74 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Coldwater Campground?
The longest site here provides 43 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 Coldwater Campground?
Pressurized water spigots and flush toilets are provided throughout the facility, and there are picnic tables, campfire rings and bear-proof food storage lockers at each campsite.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Coldwater Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Coldwater Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Coldwater 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. Active bear area, bear boxes are provided and must be used (typical bear box size 48" x 30" x 36").
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Coldwater Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Coldwater Campground?
Coldwater offers easy access to fishing for rainbow, brook and brown trout in Lake Mary. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Coldwater Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lake Mary Campground (0.8 mi), Twin Lakes Campground (1.3 mi), and New Shady Rest Campground (3.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby