USDA Forest Service · California
Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- 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 - the site map below shows each with its facts and pictures.
Site map
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one on the imagery, with the operator's own facts and pictures for each site where it publishes them. Tap a site to rate it, keep a note and add your own photos; press and hold the map for a pin of your own. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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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
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29° | 16° | 0° | 43° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 28° | 13° | -3° | 43° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 30° | 16° | 0° | 55° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 35° | 20° | 1° | 49° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 45° | 27° | 11° | 58° | 11 of 11 |
| June | 60° | 38° | 19° | 72° | 7 of 11 |
| July | 71° | 48° | 36° | 78° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 68° | 47° | 38° | 75° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 60° | 41° | 28° | 68° | 3 of 11 |
| October | 52° | 32° | 10° | 67° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 39° | 25° | 6° | 59° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 30° | 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.
Trails nearby
- Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Campground · 0.0 mi as the crow flies · Drive there
- Nunatak Tioga Tarns Trailhead · 2.6 mi as the crow flies
Nunatak Vis Loop 0.5 mi Hike · Drive there - Gaylor Lakes Trailhead · 3.8 mi as the crow flies
Gaylor Lakes Trail 1.9 mi Hike · Drive there - Mono/Parker Pass Trailhead · 5.1 mi as the crow flies · Drive there
- Dog Lake Trailhead · 7.0 mi as the crow flies
Dog Lake Trail 0.2 mi Hike · Drive there
All 659 trails in Inyo National Forest · All 137 trails in Yosemite National Park
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Sawmill Walk-in Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Junction Campground · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
- Ellery Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
- Warren Fork Trailhead Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Tioga Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
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.