Coldwater Campground - Inyo Nf (Ca)
Inyo National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA, CA
Price: From $33 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (377 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.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 m
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Bear Boxes, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/coldwater-campground-inyo-nf-ca to be notified when sites open up.
Coldwater Campground offers easy access to fishing in Lake Mary and hiking trailheads in the eastern Sierra Nevada near Mammoth Lakes, with amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, flush toilets, and bear boxes. Google reviews rate it 4.6/5 stars, with campers praising the peaceful environment, friendly staff, and available firewood for purchase.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Mule Deer, Inyo Mule Deer, North American Porcupine, American Pika, Mountain Chickadee, Steller's Jay, Hairy Woodpecker, and Common Raven. Note: One reviewer reported black bears visit almost every night.
Insider tips for Coldwater Campground - Inyo Nf (Ca): Book early—this is a popular federal campground Outside perimeter sites offer more privacy but may not be flat Firewood is available for purchase on-site
Skip Coldwater Campground - Inyo Nf (Ca) if: You need RV hookups—none are available at most sites, only suitable for self-contained RVs. You are uncomfortable with frequent black bear activity in the area. You prefer camping outside May-October season.
Best time to visit Coldwater Campground - Inyo Nf (Ca): May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Lake Mary Campground (Palo Alto, CA), Twin Lakes Campground (Mammoth Lakes, CA), New Shady Rest Campground (Mammoth Lakes, CA), Sherwin Creek (MAMMOTH LAKES, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Coldwater Campground - Inyo Nf (Ca)
Cell signal at Coldwater Campground - Inyo Nf (Ca) (Mammoth Lakes, CA): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground
Outside perimeter sites offer more privacy but may not be flat
Firewood is available for purchase on-site
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Inyo National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Inyo National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Coldwater Campground - Inyo Nf (Ca) cost per night?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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