This primitive campground along the San Joaquin River puts you within walking distance of Mammoth Pool Reservoir, surrounded by ponderosa pine and cedar in classic Sierra Nevada terrain. It's a solid base camp for anglers, boaters, and hikers heading into the Ansel Adams Wilderness—assuming you can get in.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Primitive
- 💵Fee per Night
- $41
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 📍GPS
- 37.34471, -119.33320
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- summer, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 559-642-3212
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
Closure Notice
Mammoth Pool is closed indefinitely for hazard tree removal. Before making any plans, confirm current status with the Sierra National Forest.
The Camp
When operational, this campground sits half a mile from Mammoth Pool Reservoir, winding through stands of ponderosa pine and cedar along the San Joaquin River. Each site comes with the basics: picnic table, grill, and fire ring. Vault toilets handle the necessities, but you'll need to haul in your own water.
The setting delivers that middle-elevation Sierra experience—not the stark granite of the high country, but the heavily forested slopes that define this part of the range. You're positioned near the Ansel Adams Wilderness boundary, where jagged peaks like 13,157-foot Mt. Ritter rise beyond the immediate forest.
What's Nearby
The reservoir handles the water activities: fishing, boating, and a boat ramp for launching. For hikers, the French Trail starts nearby—a 12.7-mile route that accesses the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Wagner's Mammoth Pool Resort covers the basics if you forgot something: gas, camping supplies, and a pay phone.
The 83-mile Sierra Vista Scenic Byway passes through the area, connecting this spot to the broader Sierra Nevada touring circuit. The drive showcases the forest's range of terrain, from oak-covered foothills to the alpine landscape of the High Sierra.