Dispersed camping sites near Swall Meadows sit at elevations between 4,000 and 8,000 feet in the eastern Sierra Nevada. The area experiences drastic temperature swings, with summer days reaching 90°F while nights can drop below 40°F even in July. Most sites have no facilities and campers must pack out all waste when visiting these high desert locations.
What to do
Fishing at nearby lakes: Crowley Lake is a prime fishing destination about 20 minutes from Swall Meadows. "Lake Crowley is also a few miles up the road. Cell: Good AT&T, Sprint: Roaming," notes a camper at Tuff Campground.
Stream fishing: Rock Creek flows through several campgrounds in the region. A visitor at Big Trees Campground shared, "Creek runs along the edge of the campground," making it convenient for fishing without driving elsewhere.
Hot springs soaking: The thermal waters near Swall Meadows provide relaxation opportunities. "The crab cooker hot spring was a little confusing to find. Once you find it... it's TINY. 3 people comfortably. And HOT HOT HOTTTT!" reports a camper at Crab Cooker Hotsprings.
Hiking on local trails: Rock Creek area offers trails suitable for various skill levels. "We took a small hike on the rock formals east of the creek," mentions a visitor at Tuff Campground, describing accessible terrain near camp.
What campers like
Secluded spots with water features: Many campers appreciate creek-side locations. "Tuffs is a great little campground located about 200 yards from Route 395. It's located in a small ravine so you don't hear any traffic noise. The best feature of the park is the little stream that runs thru it," writes a reviewer at Tuff Campground.
Dark skies for stargazing: The minimal light pollution allows for exceptional night views. "Amazing sunsets and sunrises. The crab cooker hot spring was a little confusing to find," shares a visitor at Crowley Lake RV Park.
Wildlife watching: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to spot local fauna. "We camped here with a group that had two trailers and a large RV. They were strict about dogs being on their leashes. We love to fish here, both on shore and in a boat. Be sure to put food and garbage away before bed- we had a bear come visit!!" warns a camper at Twin Lakes Campground.
Mountain views from camp: The Eastern Sierra backdrop provides scenic camping. "We camped in a wide spot on the road, but only 2 cars went by. It was late March and we woke up to snow," recounts a visitor at Crab Cooker Hotsprings.
What you should know
Limited reservation options: Many sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "Decided to take a last minute trip to Mammoth Mountain to test a few new pieces of camping gear out. Campground was probably 75% full with mostly RV's and trailers," notes a visitor at Twin Lakes Campground.
Bear awareness is essential: Food storage is strictly enforced. "Keep you food in the bear lockers, they have daily visitors late in the evening and throughout the night," advises a camper at Twin Lakes Campground.
Weather unpredictability: Prepare for rapid changes regardless of season. "Remember that you're at elevation so it can get cold at night even in the summer," cautions a visitor.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds have limited availability. "Pulled in late without a res, stopped by Sabrina, which was full up, and then Four Jeffrey campsite. Ran into site managers Dan and ___? upon pulling in who were glad to set me up with Site #1 as someone had just cancelled," shares a visitor at Four Jeffrey Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Water play opportunities: Creeks provide safe recreation for children. "It was about thigh deep and comfortably chilly. Great for fishing. We caught a total of about 6 trouts in one day," explains a Tuff Campground visitor.
Campgrounds with amenities: Choose sites with basic facilities. "Clean easy to get in sites. Water and electric sites with a dump station for when you leave. Bathrooms were very clean. Great place for kids with playground, western town and store with ice cream and beers," recommends a camper at Brown's Town.
Altitude considerations: Acclimate children gradually to prevent discomfort. "This is a great campsite for backpackers getting to Mammoth lakes and acclimating to the altitude before setting off," suggests a Twin Lakes visitor.
Wildlife education opportunities: Teach children about local animals while maintaining safety. "We saw very few tent campers and the RV's and tow behind campers were the majority here. All sites have a picnic table, fire ring and bear box," notes a Twin Lakes Campground camper.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Services vary widely between campgrounds. "Sites large enough for almost all size rigs. Choose to camp under the shade of the pines on a dirt pad or in the clean, parking lot style section," advises an RVer at Mammoth Mountain RV Park.
Road access challenges: Some routes are difficult for larger vehicles. "4x4 or high clearance coming in. Long dirt road with dips and rocks," warns a visitor about accessing Crab Cooker Hotsprings.
Dump station protocol: Plan for potential waiting times. "Upon leaving, the access road is totally blocked by vehicles lined up for the dump station. If you want to avoid this, leave early," suggests a Mammoth Mountain RV Park visitor.
Site selection strategies: Consider specific location needs. "We weren't here for long, only one night on our way back home to Oregon but it was long enough to see a bear cross the road. This is definitely a spot where they aren't kidding about locking up your food," shares a camper at Mammoth Mountain RV Park.
