USDA Forest Service · California
Vermillion
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 31
- Hookups
- 30 no hookups
- Season
- May 21 to September 11
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 7,717 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
- KAISER PASS (NFSR 05S080) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Sierra National Forest
- Address
- CA
- Phone
- 559-893-2111
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Educational Programs, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Swimming
30 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Vermillion Campground is located on the northwest shore of Edison Lake, in a shady stand of Ponderosa pine. Most sites provide lake views. The campground is ideal for tents, as well as small RVs. Visitors can enjoy mountain views of the surrounding John Muir and Ansel Adams Wilderness areas.
Recreation
Edison Lake has a free public boat launch. Canoeing and kayaking near the shoreline are popular activities. Anglers can fish for rainbow, brown or brook trout. Sandy beaches within the campground provide lake access for swimming.
Campfire programs are offered throughout the summer. Numerous hiking and equestrian trails are in the area.
Facilities
Each campsite has a picnic table, campfire ring and bear-proof food storage locker, all set off a bit from the parking spur. Some sites are sloped and not suitable for tent camping. Vault toilets are provided. There are 8 water spigots in the campground with potable drinking water.
Limited supplies and pay showers are available at the Vermillion Valley Resort, which is within walking distance.
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.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (559) 893-2308.
Nearby Attractions
Vermillion Campground is an excellent base for exploring the Ansel Adams or John Muir Wilderness Areas. The Vermillion Valley Resort offers ferry rides across the lake to trails within the Ansel Adams Wilderness.
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
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38° | 24° | 3° | 54° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 37° | 22° | 4° | 54° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 24° | 3° | 62° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 44° | 28° | 13° | 58° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 55° | 36° | 16° | 67° | 8 of 11 |
| June | 68° | 48° | 26° | 82° | 1 of 11 |
| July | 79° | 56° | 47° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 76° | 54° | 45° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 69° | 48° | 36° | 77° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 61° | 39° | 19° | 76° | 4 of 10 |
| November | 50° | 33° | 7° | 67° | 8 of 10 |
| December | 40° | 24° | 8° | 56° | 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
- Mono Creek · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 13 sites
- Mono Hot Springs · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 23 sites
- Bolsillo Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
- Portal Forebay Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
- Ward Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-27. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.