California's highest drive-to campground: Saddlebag Lake

posted on April 13, 2026

Sitting at 10,000 feet above sea level, Saddlebag Lake Campground is the highest drive-to campground in California — and one of the most rewarding. This guide to Saddlebag Lake covers everything you need to know, from how to get there to what to expect once you arrive.

While most people head straight for Yosemite National Park, Saddlebag Lake offers a quieter, equally striking alternative just beyond the Tioga Pass entrance. Think wide-open alpine views, sharp granite peaks, no-frills camping, and a sense of stillness that’s hard to find elsewhere.

At a glance: Saddlebag Lake Campground

Elevation: 10,000 feet above sea level
Location: Inyo National Forest, Sierra Nevada — off Saddlebag Lake Road, approximately 3 miles from Highway 120
Nearest town: Lee Vining, CA (13 miles away)
Number of sites: 20 standard sites + 1 group site
Reservations: Standard sites are first-come, first-served; group sites are reservable via Recreation.gov
Suitable for: Tents and small RVs (up to 30 feet); no RV hookups
Amenities: Potable water, vault toilets, picnic tables, fire pit/grate, bear-proof food locker per site
Season: Typically late June through early September (confirm with Inyo National Forest — road opening depends on snowmelt)
Fee: Confirm current rate at Recreation.gov
Dogs: Allowed, but they’ll need to stay on a leash and under control at all times — this is bear country, so it’s as much about safety as it is about respecting the space
Nearest gas/supplies: Lee Vining; limited supplies available at the Saddlebag Lake Resort general store on site

Getting to Saddlebag Lake Campground

Driving to Saddlebag Lake Campground is part of the experience, with two main routes depending on where you’re coming from.

From the west (via Yosemite): Take Highway 120 (Tioga Road) through Yosemite National Park, passing Tuolumne Meadows and continuing over Tioga Pass before turning onto Saddlebag Lake Road.
From the east (via Highway 395): From Lee Vining, follow Highway 120 up toward Tioga Pass, then turn onto Saddlebag Lake Road.
Road conditions: Saddlebag Lake Road is an unpaved dirt road — suitable for most standard vehicles, but take it slowly. High-clearance vehicles are recommended if conditions are poor.
Seasonal access: Tioga Road (Highway 120) is typically closed in winter due to snow, with access often not reopening until around mid-June. Check current conditions with the National Park Service or the U.S. Forest Service (Inyo National Forest) before you go.
Drive time from Lee Vining: Around 22 minutes
Drive time from Yosemite Valley: Around 2 hours

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What to expect at the campground

Arriving at Saddlebag Lake Campground feels like stepping into a quieter corner of the Sierra Nevada: vast alpine skies, sun-bleached granite slopes, and clusters of lodgepole pines breaking up the rocky landscape. The campground sits right by the water, with 20 campsites set close to the lakeshore, many providing beautiful lake and mountain views.

Facilities are simple but well set up: each site includes a picnic table and fire pit, with vault toilets and potable water available throughout. It’s first-come, first-served, and best suited to tents and small RVs.

Be prepared — there are no hookups, no showers, and no Wi-Fi — and with limited shade or wind protection at some sites, the elements are part of the experience.

Nearby, Saddlebag Lake Resort has a small general store, boat rentals, and a seasonal water taxi (worth checking ahead if it’s running).

California's highest drive-to campground. In photo: Saddlebag Lake, California — At 10,000 feet, Saddlebag Lake is California’s highest drive-to campground and the kind of place where hikers, anglers and stargazers all show up for very different reasons and leave with the same look on their face.

Tip from the author: At this elevation, winds can pick up quickly, and temperatures drop fast at night, even in summer. Nights can be surprisingly cold, so pack a warm sleeping bag and an extra layer regardless of how warm the days feel.

Things to do at Saddlebag Lake

Despite feeling remote and largely untouched, Saddlebag Lake offers more to do than you might expect, especially if you’re looking to hike or fish.

Hiking trails

Saddlebag Lake is one of the best bases for high-alpine hiking trails, with options ranging from easy lakeside walks to longer routes into the wilderness.

Saddlebag Lake Loop (approx. 3.9 miles): An easy, scenic trail that circles the lake, with minimal elevation gain. Suitable for most ability levels, this is a great introduction to the landscape with constant views of glassy, clear water and the dramatic alpine backdrop of Mount Conness.
Twenty Lakes Basin (approx. 7.5 miles): One of the most popular hikes in the area, leading into the Hoover Wilderness. The trail passes a series of mountains, lakes, and expansive terrain. Access the trailhead via the water taxi (seasonal, typically cash only) or hike around the lake to reach it.
Short walks and viewpoints: Several smaller trails and informal paths branch from the campground, offering quick access to the shoreline, nearby lake edges, and elevated viewpoints over Saddlebag Lake.

All trails sit at high elevation, so allow time to acclimate before starting your hike.

Saddlebag Lake Loop, Lee Vining, California — Crystal clear alpine water, granite peaks framing every turn and a well-marked 3.9-mile loop that even younger kids can handle without fuss, Saddlebag Lake Loop is exactly the kind of pit stop that turns a California road trip into a proper family adventure.

Fishing

Fishing here is known for its clear, cold water and healthy populations of rainbow, brook, and brown trout. You can fish from the shoreline, head out on the lake by boat, or try fly fishing along Saddlebag Creek.

There’s a boat ramp on site, and a 15 mph speed limit helps keep the water calm. For those willing to hike, the nearby Twenty Lakes Basin is also known for golden and brook trout — offering an even more remote, serene fishing experience.

Remember, for this activity, a valid California fishing license is required.

Stargazing

Don’t forget to look up, as the night sky here is truly magnificent. Set high in the Eastern Sierra, this remote campground has minimal light pollution, making it an incredible spot for stargazing. On clear nights, the stars feel close enough to touch.

For the best experience, plan your visit around a new moon — darker skies mean brighter stars.

What to know before you go

With no reservations, limited access, and changing conditions, use these helpful insights to plan your trip in advance, which will go a long way at Saddlebag Lake.

Arrive early: Standard sites are first-come, first-served with no reservations — in peak summer months, sites can fill by mid-morning. Plan to arrive the night before or very early in the day.
Altitude acclimatization: At 10,000 feet, some visitors may experience altitude sickness, including headaches or shortness of breath. Take it easy on arrival, stay hydrated, and avoid strenuous activity until you’ve adjusted.
Pack for cold nights: Even in summer, temperatures can drop close to freezing overnight. Bring a warm sleeping bag, extra layers, and be prepared for sudden weather changes.
Bear country: This is active bear country, so all food and scented items must be stored in the bear-proof lockers provided at each campsite. Never leave food in your car or unattended.
Fire restrictions: Depending on conditions, fire restrictions can be imposed at any time. Always check current rules with the Inyo National Forest before your trip and only use designated fire pits where permitted.
Seasonal access: Tioga Road (Highway 120) and Saddlebag Lake Road are seasonal, typically closed in winter and reopening around late spring to early summer. Confirm road status with the Inyo National Forest before setting out.
Cell service: Extremely limited to nonexistent in the Eastern Sierra, so download offline maps before heading out.
Pets: Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash at all times within the campground and never left unattended.

Nearby attractions

Saddlebag Lake makes a great base for exploring more of the Eastern Sierra, with several standout stops just a short drive away.

Mono Lake: Around 15 minutes from Saddlebag Lake, Mono Lake is known for its surreal tufa towers — natural limestone formations rising from the water — creating one of the most unique landscapes in California.
Yosemite National Park (Tioga Pass entrance): The Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite National Park is just minutes away, making it easy to access high-alpine hiking trails, Tuolumne Meadows, and some of the park’s most scenic areas.
Lee Vining: The small town of Lee Vining sits at the base of Tioga Pass, offering a handful of cafés, diners, and fuel stops — a practical place to pause and pick up supplies.
Tioga Road scenic drive: Highway 120 (Tioga Road) is one of California’s most spectacular drives, climbing through Inyo National Forest into Yosemite’s high country, with sweeping alpine views, granite domes, and access to trailheads along the way.

Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley, California — Pull over at Tunnel View, let El Capitan and Half Dome fill your windscreen and remind yourself that Yosemite National Park is the kind of place that makes every other stop on your California road trip feel like the warm-up act.

Mono Lake Tufa Towers, Lee Vining, California — Ever seen a limestone tower that spent 13,000 years growing underwater? Pull over at Mono Lake in Lee Vining and let the Tufa Towers turn your California road trip into a geology lesson you will never forget.

Tioga Road, Highway 120, Yosemite National Park, California — Crank your favourite playlist, call the window seat and let Tioga Road do the rest as California’s highest highway pass climbs through granite domes, alpine lakes and wildflower meadows with a jaw-dropping view waiting around every single bend.

Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite Valley, California — Where the Sierra Nevada opens up into its largest subalpine meadow, the air gets cooler, the crowds disappear and the only thing left to do is walk the Tuolumne River with someone worth slowing down for.

Other high-elevation campgrounds in the region

If Saddlebag Lake is full — or you want to explore more of the Eastern Sierra — there are several high-altitude alternatives nearby:

Tuolumne Meadows Campground (8,600 ft): Set along the Tioga Pass corridor within Yosemite National Park, with access to some of the park’s best high-alpine hiking trails.
Cold Creek / Twin Lakes Campground (approx. 8,500–9,000 ft): Near Mammoth Lakes, with easy access to lakes, forested trails, and mountain views.
Grandview Campground (8,600 ft): Known for its dark skies and quieter setting within the Inyo National Forest.
Rock Creek Lake Campground (9,600 ft): Surrounded by the John Muir Wilderness, with direct access to alpine lakes and hiking trails.
Green Creek Campground: Located in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, providing access to the Hoover Wilderness.

California's highest drive-to campground. In photo: Twin Lakes, Mammoth Lakes, California — Swap the busy highway for a kayak on Twin Lakes in Mammoth, let a waterfall fill the silence behind you and remind your travel partner that the best moments of a road trip rarely come with a plan.

California has eight national parks and over 280 state parks, so there’s no shortage of incredible high-altitude alternatives.

Frequently asked questions about Saddlebag Lake Campground

Is Saddlebag Lake Campground the highest campground in California?

Saddlebag Lake Campground is considered California’s highest drive to a campground, sitting at around 10,000 feet. While a few others reach similar elevations, it’s one of the highest you can actually drive to, which is what makes it so unique.

Do you need a reservation for Saddlebag Lake Campground?

You don’t need a reservation for Saddlebag Lake Campground — all sites are first-come, first-served. That means it can fill up quickly in peak summer, so arriving early is your best bet.

When is Saddlebag Lake Campground open?

Saddlebag Lake Campground is typically open from late spring through early fall, depending on snow conditions. Access is tied to Tioga Pass, which usually closes in winter due to snow.

What are the facilities like at Saddlebag Lake Campground?

The facilities at Saddlebag Lake Campground are simple but well-equipped. You’ll find picnic tables, fire rings, bear-proof lockers, potable water, and vault toilets — but no hookups or showers.

Can you take an RV to Saddlebag Lake Campground?

You can take an RV to Saddlebag Lake Campground, but only smaller RVs or trailers are recommended. The sites are fairly compact, and no hookups are available.

Is Saddlebag Lake Campground dog-friendly?

Yes, Saddlebag Lake Campground is dog-friendly, but dogs must be kept on a leash in the campground and surrounding developed areas.

How far is Saddlebag Lake from Yosemite National Park?

Saddlebag Lake is just outside Yosemite National Park, about a 15–20 minute drive from Tioga Pass. It’s an easy and scenic stop if you’re already exploring Yosemite’s eastern side.

Why Saddlebag Lake belongs on your California camping list

Saddlebag Lake offers big, high-alpine scenery, standout hiking trails, excellent fishing, and yet no crowds. It’s the kind of place where you can wake up by the water, spend the day exploring, and still feel like you’ve got the landscape to yourself.

The best part is that with Turo, you can easily find the right vehicle for the trip — whether that’s something comfortable for the long drive or an SUV better suited to a family roadtrip. It makes getting here simple, so you can spend less time planning logistics and more time exploring.

Explore the Eastern Sierra with Turo

Looking for the perfect car rental for Saddlebag Lake? On Turo, you can choose from everything from minivans to sports cars, depending on your preference. With flexible pickup — often right from airports or convenient nearby locations — it’s the easiest way to get on the road and explore the Eastern Sierra at your own pace.

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Molly Isaac

Molly has road-tripped, hiked, and country-hopped across Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and the U.S. — but her favorite thing is still waking up somewhere new. Some of her best memories? Sailing through the Philippines, eating her way through Portugal, and climbing so many mountains she’s lost count. She’s passionate about chasing natural wonders, meeting new people along the way, and sharing tips that turn trips into lifelong memories.

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