Recreation


A high country trail winds its way across rocky ridges in the high country of the Sierra NF

Discover an Area by Activity

Select an activity to find an area to visit.

Recreation use on the Sierra National Forest spans all seasons. People visit the forest for camping, horseback riding, swimming, picnicking, biking and hiking opportunities. Visitors also enjoy fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, fall-colors, skiing, snowshoeing, and off-highway-vehicle, motorcycle and snowmobile riding.

The Sierra National Forest represents experiences through five wilderness areas; two nationally designated wild and scenic rivers; three nationally designated trails, and two national scenic byways.

The Sierra’s proximity to Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; and the Inyo National Forest with their many trails, high peaks, rivers, deep canyons, wilderness and big trees defines the forest as “United in Breathtaking Tranquility.”

We pride ourselves of the wide variety of natural beauty and recreational opportunities offered to the American public. Begin your adventure today!

Related Links

 

A map of our nations national forests and grasslands.

Interactive Visitor Map: Sierra National Forest

Recreation.gov

Make camping reservations at Recreation.gov

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Current Recreation Conditions

Area Name Status Area Conditions
Badger Flat Campground Closed Closed
Badger Flat Group Campground Closed Closed
Bear Cove Picnic Site Closed Closed
Big Sandy Campground Closed Closed
Billy Creek Picnic Site Closed Closed
Billy Creek, Lower Campground Closed Closed
Billy Creek, Upper Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Black Rock Campground Open Open No water, No trees. First come first served.
Bolsillo Campground Closed Closed
Bowler Group Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Bretz Mill Campground Open Open
Buck Meadow Campground Closed Closed
Catavee Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Chilkoot Campground Closed Closed
China Bar Camping Area Open Open
Clover Meadow Campground Open Open  High Clearance Vehicles Only
Cold Springs Summit Interpretive Site (minor) Closed Closed
College Campground Closed Closed
Courtright Boat Launching Site Closed Closed
Courtright Geological Interpretive Site Closed Closed
Cranberry Flat Day Use Picnic Site Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed
Crane Valley Group Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Deer Creek Campground Closed Closed
Denver Church Picnic Site Closed Closed
Dinkey Creek Campground Closed Closed
Dinkey Creek Group Campground Closed Closed
Dinkey Fisherman Picnic Site Closed Closed
Dirt Flat Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Dorabelle Campground Closed Closed
Dorabelle Picnic Site Closed Closed
Dowville Picnic Site Closed Closed
Dry Gulch Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Eastwood Visitor Information Site Closed Closed Under Construction/Renovation
Fish Creek Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Florence Lake Picnic Site Closed Closed
Forks Campground Closed Closed Limited first come first served sites available.
Fresno Dome Campground Closed Closed
Fresno Dome Trail Open Open
Gaggs Camp Campground Closed Closed
Garnet Dike Boat Launching Site Closed Closed
Gigantea Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Granite Creek Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Gravel Flat Camping Area Open Open
Greys Mountain Campground Closed Closed
Helms Picnic Site Closed Closed
Hermit's Hole Day Use Area Open Open
Hite Cove Trail Open Open
Huntington Boat Ramp & Launching Site Open Open
Indian Flat Picnic Site Open Open
Jackass Meadow Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Jerseydale Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Kamook Trailhead Open Open
Kelty Meadow Campground Closed Closed Limited sites open
Kinnikinnick Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Kirch Flat Campground Open Open
Kirch Flat Group Campground Open Open
Lakeside Picnic Site Open Open
Le Conte Divide Scenic Overlook and Interpretive S Closed Closed
Lewis Creek National Recreation Trail Open Open
Lewis Creek Trail Nrt Trailhead Open Open
Lily Pad Campground Closed Closed Operated by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) 1-916-386-5164
Little Denver Picnic Site Closed Closed
Little Jackass Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Lone Sequoia Trailhead Open Open
Lower Chiquito Campground Closed Closed
Lupine Cedar Bluff Campground Open Open Operated by California Land Management
Mammoth Pool Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Marmot Rock Campground Closed Closed No Running Water, Operated by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) 1-916-386-5164
McCabe Flat Campground (BLM) Open Open Operated by the Bureau of Land Management
Mcclendon Beach Day Use Picnic Site Open Open
Mckinley Grove Picnic Site Open Open
Miami Creek OHV Area Open Open
Midge Creek Group Campground Closed Closed
Mile High Vista Observation Site Open Open
Mono Creek Campground Closed Closed
Mono Hot Springs Campground Closed Closed
Nelder Grove Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Nelder Grove Interpretive Picnic Area Closed Closed Shadow of the Giants Trail CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Oak Flat Camping Area Closed Closed DECOMMISSIONED
Pine Slope Picnic Site Closed Closed
Pinepoint Picnic Site Open Open
Placer Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Portal Forebay Campground Closed Closed
Portugese Overlook Observation Site Open Open
Railroad Flat Campground (BLM) Open Open Operated by the Bureau of Land Management
Rancheria Campground Closed Closed  The amphitheater and loops A, F, and G are CLOSED.
Recreation Point Group Campground Open Open
Recreation Point Picnic Area Closed Closed
Redbud Picnic Site Open Open
Redinger Boating Site Closed Closed
Redinger Campground Open Open NO CAMPFIRE or CHARCOAL GRILLS PERMITTED
Redinger Overlook Observation Site Closed Closed
Rock Creek Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Rocky Point Picnic Site Closed Closed
Ross Cabin Interpretive Site (minor) Closed Closed
Ross Crossing Camping Area Open Open
Sample Meadow Campground Closed Closed
Savage/lundy Trail Open Open WATCH FOR HAZARDS; DOWNED TREES
Sawmill Flat Campground Open Open Pack in, Pack out
Shadow Of Giants Trail Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Shadow Of The Giants Nrt Trailhead Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Smalley Cove Campground Open Open Operated by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) 1-916-386-5164
Soda Springs Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Soquel Campground Closed Closed
Spring Cove Campground Closed Closed
Summerdale Campground Closed Closed
Swanson Campground Closed Closed Hazard Tree Removal
Sweetwater Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
Texas Flat Group Campground Closed Closed CLOSED BY FOREST ORDER
The Falls Picnic Site Open Open
Trails End Picnic Site Open Open
Trapper Springs Campground Closed Closed No Running Water, Operated by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) 1-916-386-5164 Logging Hazard Trees
Upper Chiquito Campground Closed Closed Downed hazard trees.
Upper Kings Group Campground Closed Closed Operated by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) 1-916-386-5164
Vermillion Campground Closed Closed
Voyager Rock Camping Area Closed Closed Open 7/1 - 11/1
Ward Lake Campground Closed Closed
Way of the Mono Trail Open Open
Wee-mee-kute Picnic Site Closed Closed
West Kaiser Campground Open Open Rough Road Conditions
Westfall Picnic Site Closed Closed
Whiskers Campground Closed Closed
Whisky Falls Campground Open Open
Willow Cove Picnic Area Open Open
Willow Creek Trail Open Open Parking Fee is Required for this trail - Willow Creek presents dangers, it's extremely slippery rocks and swirling pools. PLEASE be careful and always stay on the trail.
Willow Placer Campground (BLM) Open Open Operated by the Bureau of Land Management
Windy Point Dispersed Picnic Site Closed Closed
Wishon Boating Site Open Open
Wishon Point Campground Closed Closed

Recreation Areas