Fishing and swimming opportunities draw campers to Sweetwater, a US Forest Service campground positioned along Highway 120 in Sierra National Forest. The site sits approximately 15 minutes from Yosemite's entrance, making it a convenient base for park visitors who couldn't secure reservations inside the park boundaries.
Large campsites accommodate multiple tents, with each site including a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis at $24 per night, with an additional $8 fee for extra vehicles. A campground host manages the site during peak seasons. Water spigots provide drinking water throughout the facility, though vault toilets serve as the primary restroom option.
Highway noise affects the camping experience, as sites sit directly adjacent to the roadway. Construction activity has occasionally disrupted morning hours according to recent visitors. Bernadette A. notes falling asleep to "the raging river nearby," referencing the water access that draws many campers here. The area shows evidence of past wildfire damage, with downed limbs visible throughout the campground, though collecting this wood for fires is prohibited.
No cell service reaches the campground. Rainbow Pools, a popular swimming spot, sits just five minutes down Highway 120. Campers planning extended stays should bring all necessary supplies, as no stores operate within several miles of the site.
Description
Overview
Sweetwater Campground remains closed due to the 2020 Creek Wildfire Sweetwater Campground is laid out in a single loop along Chiquito Creek, shaded by pine, oak and cedar trees. Most sites overlook the creek or a brook that also runs by the campground.
Recreation
The campground attracts visitors primarily for its fishing and swimming holes. Many recreational activities are available at Mammoth Pool, including boating, trout fishing, hiking and swimming.
Facilities
Each campsite contains a picnic table, grill and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided. Campers must bring drinking water. Supplies are available nearby at Wagner's Mammoth Pool Resort. Parking spurs are dirt and paved, but tight turns and trees at the edge of interior roads make this camp most ideal for pop-up tent trailers, slide-ins and tent campers.
Natural Features
The Sierra National Forest, located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada, is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and abundant natural resources. The terrain includes rolling, oak-covered foothills, heavily forested middle elevation slopes and the starkly beautiful alpine landscape of the High Sierra. Sweetwater Campground is located close to Mammoth Pool Reservoir near the Ansel Adams Wilderness. This area is known for its jagged peaks, including 13,157-foot Mt. Ritter, and numerous lakes and streams.
Nearby Attractions
A popular pastime in the area is taking a drive on the 83-mile Sierra Vista Scenic Byway.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundSweetwater is located in California
Directions
From Fresno, California, take Highway 41 north. Turn northeast on Forest Road 200 and pass through North Fork. Take Minarets Road east and follow it 37 miles. Turn right on Mammoth Pool Road and follow it 2 miles to Sweetwater Campground.
Coordinates
37.365 N
119.3522222 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 user
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 3 users
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 user
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 3 users
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 9 min from Fresno, CA
- 2 hrs 35 min from Merced, CA
- 2 hrs 45 min from Visalia, CA
- 2 hrs 47 min from Hanford, CA
