Facility Details - COLDWATER CAMPGROUND, CA

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities:

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.

Nearby Attractions:

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.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Biking Entrance Station Firewood Flush Toilets Hiking Host Parking Area	Paved Roads Self Pay Station Trash Collection Vault Toilets Water Spigot Wildlife Viewing
Within 10 Miles
Fishing General Store Horseback Riding Horseback Riding Trails	Hospital Marina Swimming

Know Before You Go

In accordance with standard industry practices, Inyo Recreation will assess an additional $5 vehicle fee for the "second vehicle" in each single family campsite, and on the "third and fourth vehicle" in any double family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site. In the case of motorcycles, the first two are considered one vehicle, and the third and fourth motorcycle are also considered one vehicle. No additional vehicle fees are collected for bicycles.
No showers or electric hookups available
Two pets allowed per site; must be leashed
This is a high elevation facility; please use caution when traveling from lower elevations; campground usually not clear of snow until late May or early June
Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating; always keep a clean camp and do not feed any wild animals
Inyo National Forest website

This facility is operated by Inyo Recreation, doing business as California Land Management. Comments are appreciated; see campground hosts or access comment forms online.

Hiking within the Inyo Wilderness requires a special permit for both day and overnight stays. These permits are managed through a limited allocation system. Please click here for more information.

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
37.59917, -118.99694
37°35'57"N, 118°59'49"W

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. Continue on Lake Mary Road to the Coldwater Campground cutoff on the left.