Minaret Falls Campground

Star4.60
22 reviews
2510 Hwy 203 Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Quick Facts

7,700 ft

Price

$23 - $32/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

27 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center site

Official Website
Get Directions
Minaret Falls Campground
$23.00 - $32.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Overnight single campsite fee is $32 per night. Additional vehicle fee is $10 per night. Visitors with America the Beautiful Access/Senior Passes or...
Show more
Standard Site Fee$32.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
USFS
Provider
(760) 924-5500
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.60

Top-Rated

Based on 22 reviews

20 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefulcleanhiking

Some mention

noise

"User reviews highlight the scenic beauty, privacy of campsites, and proximity to attractions such as Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls. While the campground offers basic amenities, lack of showers and flush toilets has been noted as a drawback by some."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

2510 Hwy 203 Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Minaret Falls Campground

2510 Hwy 203 Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Driving directionsTake US 395 to State Highway 203. Head west to and through the town of Mammoth Lakes. At the 2nd traffic light, turn right onto Minaret and continue up the mountain past Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge and Minaret Vista Station. At the Minaret Vista entrance booth, pay the entry fee, then continue through for another 11.8 miles to the campground sign. Turn right at the sign onto a single-lane dirt road and go 0.4 miles to the campground.
The road to the campground is narrow and single-lane with sharp turns and smooth dirt hills. The stretch from the Minaret Vista entrance booth to the campground includes steep and curvy terrain (2.3 miles) before returning to two lanes. Accessibility is limited to private vehicles only for campers.
Nearby places
Mammoth Lakes - approximately 17 miles and 30 minutes by car.
Nearby supplies
Limited groceries, camping supplies, and other essentials can be found at Reds Meadow Pack Station and Resort, located nearby. Additional options are available in the town of Mammoth Lakes, approximately 17 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Minaret Falls Campground

Summer transforms this high-altitude haven into an alpine paradise, with warm days perfect for exploration and crisp nights ideal for stargazing. Daytime temperatures reach a comfortable 77°F, while evenings cool to a refreshing 38°F—perfect sleeping weather under the stars. The campground opens as snow melts away in late spring and closes when autumn's first flakes dust the peaks. Mountain weather can surprise with afternoon thundershowers, adding drama to the landscape and filling the air with the scent of rain on pine.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Open June–Sept; reviewers praise summer scenery, hiking and stargazing—mosquitoes noted in early season.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.0 / 5

Open through Sept 23; fall access limited and window is short—scenery remains good but season is brief.

Spring(Mar-May)
Not recommended

Seasonal opening from June 8 means spring is outside operating season; mosquitoes noted early when accessible.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground is closed outside June 8–Sept 23; winter use not supported.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Open seasonally from June 8 through September 23. Closed during other parts of the year.
  • Current Alerts: Closed for the 2025 season due to road construction.

About Minaret Falls Campground

Escape to Minaret Falls Campground, where 27 pristine campsites await along the rushing waters of the Middle Fork San Joaquin River. Perched at 7,700 feet in the heart of Inyo National Forest, this summer sanctuary offers the perfect blend of mountain solitude and natural comfort. Each site is thoughtfully positioned among towering lodgepole pines and graceful river willows, creating private retreats where the only sounds are birdsong and flowing water. Modern amenities like bear-proof lockers and vault toilets ensure a safe, comfortable stay while preserving the wilderness experience.
Minaret Falls Campground is best suited for tent camping and small trailers, offering a rustic camping experience. It includes individual campsites and some combined sites.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Not explicitly stated.
Check-out
Not explicitly stated.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay limit is 14 consecutive nights.

Amenities available

Potable water
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Minaret Falls Campground is situated in a scenic location ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Day trips to Devils Postpile National Monument and Ansel Adams Wilderness are popular among campers.
HikingHiking opportunities include 'beater' trails along the river and short hikes to Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls. A reviewer shares, 'A basic campground in a beautiful location... You can fish along the San Joaquin River and enjoy small hikes to Devil's Postpile or Rainbow Falls.'
FishingFishing is available along the San Joaquin River, offering stocked rainbows and wild rainbows and browns. A user noted, 'Plenty of stocked rainbows and wild rainbows and browns if you persist.'
Wildlife viewingThe scenic location offers opportunities for wildlife observation.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsThe campground is in active bear country, requiring stringent food storage practices. Mosquitoes are prevalent near river willows during summer months.
Active AlertsClosed for the 2025 season due to road construction.
Food Storage RequiredBear-proof lockers are provided at every campsite, enabling safe storage of food and scented items to prevent bear encounters.

Weather at Minaret Falls Campground

Reviews

4.6
22 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Minaret Falls Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the scenic beauty, privacy of campsites, and proximity to attractions such as Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls. While the campground offers basic amenities, lack of showers and flush toilets has been noted as a drawback by some.
Review Summaries
Based on 22 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects frequently mentioned include scenic views, proximity to hiking trails, clean vault toilets, and the peaceful atmosphere of the campground.
Based on 22 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include challenges with the single-lane dirt road access, lack of flushing toilets, and difficulty navigating with larger trailers.
Based on 22 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing mosquito repellent due to the presence of river willows, using bear-proof food lockers, and visiting nearby attractions such as Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls.
Based on 22 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Campers generally praise the campground during the summer months for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. Mosquito activity is noted during spring and early summer.
Based on 22 reviews

Camper Quotes

'My finest experience was at Minaret Falls.' - Meagan Kukawsky. 'Great campground, super friendly host, clean bathrooms... Watch the sunset on the river right before you start the campfire.' - Mychal...
Show more
Based on 22 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campers have highlighted the scenic beauty of individual sites and close river proximity. Site numbers are not explicitly mentioned.
Based on 22 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible vault toilets are noted as a feature suitable for campers with disabilities.
Based on 22 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Dogs are allowed but must be leashed in all developed recreation sites.
Based on 22 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Minaret Falls Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in California

Campgrounds
Inyo National Forest
Minaret Falls Campground