Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp
Inyo National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Lee Vining, CA, CA
Price: From $125 per night
Rating: 3.2 out of 5 (5 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.One group area is available for tents only.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/saddlebag-lake-trailhead-group-camp to be notified when sites open up.
High-elevation alpine lake campground in the eastern Sierra Nevada at over 10,000 feet, offering a scenic mountain retreat adjacent to Saddlebag Lake with hiking, fishing, and boating opportunities. Google reviewers consistently praise the pristine facilities and helpful camp host.
Wildlife alert: American Pika, Yellow-bellied Marmot, Alpine Chipmunk, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Burrowing Owl, and Bald Eagle documented in the area. Bear boxes available at site.
Insider tips for Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp: This is a group camp for up to 25 people—book early as it is a federal campground with high demand Camp host Mark maintains spotless restrooms and facilities; follow posted rules to maintain this standard Site accommodates multiple medium tents with room to spare and includes bear boxes, picnic tables, and grills
Skip Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp if: You need hookups—no hookups available. You prefer single-site camping—this is a group campground with 1 site for groups only. You're visiting outside May-October—seasonal operations only.
Best time to visit Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp: May-October — Official seasonal operations window.
Nearby campgrounds: Trumbull Lake (BRIDGEPORT, CA), Tuolumne Meadows Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA (High Country)), Green Creek Group (BRIDGEPORT, CA), Crags Campground (BRIDGEPORT, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp
Cell signal at Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp (Lee Vining, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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.
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.One group area is available for tents only.
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 entryThis is a group camp for up to 25 people
book early as it is a federal campground with high demand
Camp host Mark maintains spotless restrooms and facilities; follow posted rules to maintain this standard
Site accommodates multiple medium tents with room to spare and includes bear boxes, picnic tables, and grills
Official seasonal operations window
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Take U.S. Highway 395 in California to its junction with State Highway 120 west. Take 120 west 10 miles toward Tioga Pass. Turn right on Forest Road 1N04 to Saddlebag Lake. Proceed up 1N04 for 2.4 miles. Take the first right just past the open gate on the road. The campground is on the right, just past the restroom.
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 Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp cost per night?+
What season is Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp open?+
Does Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp?+
How do I make reservations at Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp?+
What is the cell service like at Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp?+
What season is Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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