Sweetwater Campground is currently closed due to damage from the 2020 Creek Fire, so check current conditions before planning a visit. When operational, this single-loop camp along Chiquito Creek offers shaded sites under pine, oak, and cedar, with most overlooking the creek or a nearby brook. The tight access roads make it best suited for tent campers and smaller RVs.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Developed
- 💵Fee per Night
- $41
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 📍GPS
- 37.36504, -119.35214
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- summer, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 559-642-3212
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The campground follows a simple single-loop design along Chiquito Creek, with sites tucked under a canopy of pine, oak, and cedar. Most sites have creek or brook frontage, providing the sound of running water and natural cooling. The setting feels intimate rather than expansive — this isn't a place for big rigs or large groups.
Parking spurs mix dirt and pavement, but the real limiting factor is the tight turns and trees crowding the interior roads. Pop-up trailers, truck campers, and tents work fine; anything larger will struggle. Each site includes the standard picnic table, grill, and fire ring, with vault toilets scattered throughout the loop.
What to Know
You'll need to pack water — there's no potable water on-site. Wagner's Mammoth Pool Resort nearby can fill supply gaps, but plan accordingly. The campground requires reservations at $41 per night.
The 2020 Creek Fire left significant damage, and the campground has remained closed since. Check with the Sierra National Forest before making any firm plans, as reopening timelines remain uncertain.
Nearby
Mammoth Pool Reservoir sits close enough to make this a fishing and water sports base camp. The reservoir offers trout fishing, swimming holes, and boating opportunities. The proximity to the Ansel Adams Wilderness puts serious hiking within reach, including access toward the jagged peaks around 13,157-foot Mt. Ritter.
For a scenic drive day, the 83-mile Sierra Vista Scenic Byway provides a way to cover ground and see the broader Sierra landscape without committing to backcountry travel.