Established Camping
Coldwater Campground
About
USDA Forest Service
Inyo National Forest
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.
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.
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.
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.
Charges & Cancellations
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobilePoor
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Chillin
Friendly host. Decent sized, clean bathrooms with flush toilets. Walking distance to duck pass. Arrived in the dark but found site pretty easily.
Beautiful and quiet
We loved our site. It wasn’t too close to other sites, although you could see them. We loved having the creek across the road. The campground has nice access to hiking trails, and Lake Mary. It is outside of the bustle of town, but close enough to conveniently get what you need.
Use the bear boxes. USE. THE. BEAR BOXES. Our neighbors lost a jar of peanut butter and a Trader Joe’s bag of food.
- (5) View All
Gorgeous and close to everything
Campsite is clean, gorgeous and close to a million and one recreational activities. Host is friendly. Fire pits have grills on them. We were at site 16, which is super close to water, restrooms, and both Mammoth Creek and Coldwater Creek.
Location
Coldwater Campground is located in California
Directions
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.
Coordinates
37.599495 N
118.996669 W