3.5520 reviewsPrice
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
13 campsites
Season
June - December
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
13 campsites
Season
June - December
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
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37.3345, -119.1555
Tent campers who bring all their own water and want genuine Sierra solitude on a zero-dollar budget. The brook trout fishing in Kaiser Creek and the half-mile walk to Kaiser and Ansel Adams Wilderness trailheads make this a strong base for a midweek backcountry trip.
Call the Forest Service before you leave home, not after a 6-hour drive. The campground has closed without notice while still listed as open online. No potable water, no trash service, and single-lane gravel access also rules out RVs entirely.
Reference information about Sample Meadow Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Located near the Kaiser and Ansel Adams Wilderness', Sample Meadow Campground offers 16 campsites located along Kaiser Creek. Vault toilets are provided and each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box. <font face="Times New Roman">There is trailhead parking outside of campground approximately .5 mile for hikes into the wilderness. </font>Large RV's and motorhomes not recommended. Horse camping is permitted. Water and garbage service not provided.</p>
The elevation is 7,800 ft. The campground, pack it in, pack it out, meanders through a stand of Lodgepole pines beside Kaiser Creek. Although there are no facilities for them, horses are permitted in campground. Ample separation between camp sites provides excellent privacy. Some sites have stone fire rings. This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques. Bear-proof food containers are located at each camp site.
Open mid-May through October 17
Open mid-May through October 17 Rate and Maximum Stay Permitted Rate: No charge Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 Sierra National Forest 339 Campground Site Configuration No. RV Sites: 0 Open Sites: No No. Tent Sites: 13 Wooded Sites: Yes No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 0 Total Sites: 13 No. Tables on Sites: 13 Tent Pads: No No. Grilles on Sites: 0 Equestrian Camping: Yes RV Information The parking aprons are dirt and informal; slide-in RVs could be accommodated. Facilities Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Vaults: Yes Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: No Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 0
From Lakeshore, CA, take Huntington Lake Rd. east 0.7 miles to Mono Hot Springs sign (Forest Rt. 80/Kaiser Pass Trail). Turn left after sign onto Kaiser Pass Trail/Forest Rt. 80 and go 9.5 miles to Sample Mdw sign. Turn left at sign onto Forest Rt. 5 (dirt and gravel, single-lane) and go 3 miles to campground sign. Turn left after sign and go 0.1 miles to campground. NOTE: After 5.7 miles, Forest Rt. 80 becomes single-lane.
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Summer is the most reliable season, with morning temperatures in the mid-30s °F warming to 75–80 °F by afternoon. The campground typically operates mid-May through mid-October, though early season visitors should prepare for possible snow. Long daylight hours support extended hikes into the wilderness areas. Weekends see the heaviest use; midweek visits are quieter.
Summer is most reliable: warm days, cool mornings; camp operates mid-May to Oct.
Sample Meadow Campground provides basic amenities suitable for primitive camping. According to the authoritative content, the campground includes vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes at each of its 13 campsites. However, there is no potable water available, and garbage services are not provided, meaning campers need to 'pack it in, pack it out.' This is emphasized in the official content, which states, 'Please take your garbage with you when you leave.' The nearest services, including gas, groceries, and supplies, are about 13 miles away at Huntington Lake. Firewood availability is not mentioned. The lack of water and nearby services means visitors need to bring essential supplies. User reviews do not mention additional amenities beyond what is stated in the authoritative sources.
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