USDA Forest Service · California

Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp

USDA Forest Service · California, United States

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Official page Directions
Sites
1
Hookups
1 no hookups
Season
June 18 to September 25
Group sites
Yes
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
10,102 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
SADDLEBAG TH PARKING (NFSR 01N04C) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
Lake
Inyo National Forest
Address
INYO, CA
Activities
Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking

1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

Trailhead Group Campground is located in the eastern high Sierra Nevada Mountains of California at just over 10,000 feet in elevation. Also known as Saddlebag Lake Group Campground, the facility is adjacent to the scenic lake and provides a quiet mountain getaway for groups of up to 25 people. It is within a two-hour drive of Yosemite National Park and Mono Lake, and lies next to the Hoover Wilderness.

Recreation

Campers might like to relax and unwind by picnicking in the forested camping area or around the lake. The eastern Sierras are well-known for trout fishing, and Saddlebag Lake is no exception. Anglers can access a boat ramp nearby or try their luck for rainbow, brook and brown trout from shore. The lake has a 15 mph speed limit.

The majestic scenery and challenging trails are a big draw for hikers. Close by, campers can access the Twenty Lakes Basin Trail, which leads into the Hoover Wilderness.

Facilities

One group area is available for tents only. Flush toilets and picnic tables are provided. The group campground is next to the main Saddlebag Lake Campground, which is a small facility with individual sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Drinking water is available at the main campground, but not directly in the group camping area.

The lake's resort offers a restaurant, camping and fishing supplies and boat rentals.

Natural Features

The campground is situated in a high elevation pine forest next to scenic 600-acre Saddlebag Lake, though not directly on the lake shore. Many species of wildlife call the mountains home, such as black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and numerous fish and birds.

Nearby Attractions

The Mono Lake area and Yosemite National Park are great day trips, and hikers can access the spectacular scenery of the Hoover Wilderness via nearby trails.

Hoover Wilderness

Yosemite National Park

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.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January29°16°0°43°11 of 11
February28°13°-3°43°11 of 11
March30°16°0°55°11 of 11
April35°20°1°49°11 of 11
May45°27°11°58°11 of 11
June60°38°19°72°7 of 11
July71°48°36°78°0 of 11
August68°47°38°75°0 of 11
September60°41°28°68°3 of 11
October52°32°10°67°7 of 10
November39°25°6°59°10 of 10
December30°14°-1°48°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.