Coldwater Campground - Inyo NF (CA)
Campground · California · 74 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Inyo National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 74
- Bookable sites
- 43 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 6
- People per site
- 8,929 ft
- Elevation
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.
The facts
- 74 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 43 ft
- Up to 6 people per site
- Loops: AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND
Site types
- 74 Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.
74 campsites at Coldwater Campground - Inyo NF (CA)
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Severe | 18 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 003 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | Slight | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 004 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | Slight | 34 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 005 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | 36 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 006 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | 28 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 007 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Severe | 33 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 008 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Moderate | 34 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 009 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Slight | 26 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 010 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Slight | 24 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 011 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Slight | 28 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 012 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 37 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 013 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 33 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 014 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 34 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 015 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 29 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 016 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 26 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 017 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 43 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 018 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 40 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 021 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 022 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 023 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 33 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 024 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 025 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Slight | 38 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 026 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | Moderate | 22 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 027 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | 38 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 028 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 38 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 029 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Severe | 38 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 030 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Severe | 32 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 031 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Slight | 29 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 032 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Moderate | 23 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 033 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Slight | 33 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 034 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Slight | 24 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 035 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | — | — | 23 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 036 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 28 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 037 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 32 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 038 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 33 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 039 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 32 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 040 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 28 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 041 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 31 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 042 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 31 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 043 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Moderate | 31 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 044 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Moderate | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 045 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 046 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Severe | 29 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 047 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Severe | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 048 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Severe | 40 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 049 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 22 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 050 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 33 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 051 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 33 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 052 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Moderate | 29 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 053 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Severe | 29 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 054 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 37 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 055 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Slight | 35 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 056 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 28 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 057 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 26 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 058 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 34 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 059 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 34 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 060 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 31 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 061 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 37 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 062 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Slight | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 063 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Slight | 32 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 064 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 31 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 065 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 33 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 066 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 35 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 067 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 068 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Severe | 28 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 069 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 33 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 070 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Moderate | 20 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 072 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Severe | 26 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 073 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Moderate | 23 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 074 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 33 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 075 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 20 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 077 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 28 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 078 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Moderate | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 079 | AREA COLDWATER CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
Getting there
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.
37.59949, -118.99667 · 37°35'58.2"N 118°59'48.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 78°F in Jul, down to 41°F in Feb.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 41 | 41 | 46 | 51 | 60 | 70 | 78 | 77 | 71 | 61 | 49 | 41 |
| Low °F | 17 | 18 | 22 | 27 | 35 | 42 | 49 | 47 | 40 | 30 | 23 | 17 |
| Precip in | 4.2 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 4.1 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Coldwater Campground - Inyo NF (CA)
- Can you reserve a site at Coldwater Campground - Inyo NF (CA)?
- Yes, Coldwater Campground - Inyo NF (CA) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Coldwater Campground - Inyo NF (CA) have?
- 74 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Coldwater Campground - Inyo NF (CA)?
- 43 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Coldwater Campground - Inyo NF (CA)?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Coldwater Campground - Inyo NF (CA).
- Are campfires allowed at Coldwater Campground - Inyo NF (CA)?
- Campfires are allowed at Coldwater Campground - Inyo NF (CA). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Coldwater Campground - Inyo NF (CA)
- Lake Mary Campground 0.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Twin Lakes Campground 1.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- New Shady Rest Campground 3.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sherwin Creek 3.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Pine Glen 4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Old Shady Rest Campground 4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Pumice Flat Group Camp 5.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Coldwater Campground less than 0.1 mi · Campground
- Pine City Campground 0.4 mi · Campground
- Lake George Campground 0.8 mi · Campground
- Reds Meadow Campground 4.6 mi · Campground
- Devils Postpile Ranger Station 5.3 mi · Facility
Contact
- Email clm@clm-services.com
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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