U.S. Forest Service · Inyo National Forest · CA

Agnew Meadows Group Camp

2Heads up2 fires, nearest 30 mi
Wildfire
Dome fire · 30 mi away · 6,788 acres · 95% contained · updated Oct 14, 2026
Wildfire
Wildfire Training fire · 43 mi away · 0 acres · updated Oct 15, 2026
ReservableOut of season; the next season isn't published.
Book on recreation.govWe make nothing when you book
Right now
Listed not openA database flag with no reason and no date
Sites
4All of them booked ahead
30 ftLongest rig
8,310 ftElevation
582 ftWater · an unnamed stream
2.3 miNW of Mammoth Lakes, CA
34%Tree cover

The place

the agency’s own description · what’s there · 13 notices

In the agency’s own words

Agnew Meadows Group Campground is located in the Reds Meadow Valley section of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, just west of the full-service community of Mammoth Lakes, California. Popular with large families, this group camping facility provides access to some of the most spectacular wilderness in the Sierras and many outdoor activities such as horseback riding, fishing, hiking and photography. Devils Postpile National Monument and the famous Ansel Adams Wilderness are nearby, and a pack station with horseback riding tours and supplies is just down the road. Keep reading

Recreation

This campground is a great base camp for hiking the area's many trails. Within a few miles, campers will find the High Trail, Shadow Creek Trail and River Trail, all open to hiking and horseback riding. Trailheads to the Ansel Adams Wilderness and Pacific Crest Trail are in the vicinity. Hikers are required to ride a shuttle to the trailheads. Fishing enthusiasts can try for trout in the many area lakes or the North Fork of the San Joaquin River.

Facilities

This facility offers sites that can accommodate groups of up to 10 and 20 people. It is adjacent to the main Agnew Meadows Campground and Horse Camp. The road to the facility is narrow, single-lane and only open in summer.

Natural Features

The campground sits in a lodgepole pine forest surrounded by high mountain peaks, adjacent to creeks and a small lake. The elevation is 8,400 feet. Spring and early summer wildflower displays bring even more color to the landscape. 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 area is close to Devils Postpile National Monument and the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Both areas have trails, unparalleled photographic opportunities and are great day trips. Reds Meadow Pack Station and Resort has a general store and cafe. The trailhead for Rainbow Falls also begins near Reds Meadow. Devils Postpile National Monument Ansel Adams Wilderness Charges & Cancellations As you make travel plans that include reservations on Recreation.gov , there are standard policies that apply to most locations of which you should be aware. Do keep in mind, however, that there are many exceptions, so it is best to review reservation information listed on individual facility pages for those policies and procedures that pertain to your specific locations. Any location or activity requiring a permit or lottery will have unique requirements and policies. Please check individual facility pages for pertinent information for those sites. Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late Cancellations Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival. Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge. No-Shows Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date. If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. Tours: A tour or ticket no-show is one who does not cancel a ticket before arrival and does not arrive for the tour. Tour no-shows are not entitled to a refund. Refunds Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location. Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure. Recreation.gov Billing Information Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as " Recreation.gov 877-444-6777." Changes to Policies and Procedures Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July

What the agency tells you

Rule

Reserved Sites will be held until checkout time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of the second day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. Please call the office at 760-934-5795 if you need to inform the campground of an arrival time greater than 24 hours after your arrival date, or if you will not use your reservation whatsoever.

Rule

Access road to group campground is unimproved; not recommended for trailers or RVs due to narrow width

Rule

Campground usually not clear of snow until late May or early June

Everything else this campground posts · 10
Rule

A Forest Service access fee must be paid; call 760-924-5500 for more information

Rule

Mosquitoes can be abundant in early to mid summer; campers should come prepared

Rule

This is a high elevation facility; please use caution when traveling from lower elevations

Rule

Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in food storage lockers and remove all food from area after eating; always keep a clean camp and do not feed any wild animals

Rule

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Rule

Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the Mammoth Lakes Visitor Center, (760) 924-5500, or the Mono Lakes Visitor Center, (760) 647-3044.

Rule

Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

Rule

Click here to learn more about the Inyo National Forest

Rule

Only 2 pets are allowed.

Rule

Please Note: One RV with tow per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. In accordance with standard industry practices, Inyo Recreation will assess an additional $10.00 extra vehicle fee per day for the second vehicle in each single family campsite, and on the third and fourth vehicle in any double family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site. In the case of motorcycles, the first two are considered one vehicle, and the third and fourth motorcycle are also considered one vehicle. No additional vehicle fees are collected for bicycles.

Read them on the agency’s own page →

Tents and rigs

Sites
4 · 4 group
Hookups
None
Longest rig
30 ft
Accessible sites
1
Pets
Allowed
Campfires
Allowed, barring fire bans
Shade
Every site
Source: Recreation.gov campsite records · Aug 23, 2026

Facilities

Store
Nearby
Stay limit
14 nights
recreation.gov facility rule maxStay
Source: Stated in the agency description · Aug 23, 2026

Around the campground

On the water
Lake, River, Creek, Meadow
Fishing
Hiking
Picnicking
Night sky · 396th darkest of 1,201 in CA
Bortle 3
Fall color · reported 13 days ago, 7.5 km away
Peak color
Source: Recreation.gov activity records · Aug 23, 2026
Fall color: More Than Just Parks foliage tracker, joined to this campground by distance (7.5 km) · Oct 4, 2026

No reading yet, book on recreation.gov

Every site here is reservable, and the record lists none held back for anyone who drives up.

No availability snapshot inside the last 36 hours, so this page draws nothing rather than ageing a reading into fiction.

Booking windowOut of seasonOut of season, no booking. The last reservable season the agency published ended September 21, 2024, and it hasn't published the next one.recreation.gov
Max stay14 nightsthe facility record
If plans change$10 to cancel$10 to change a reservation; this campground publishes its own terms toorecreation.gov’s schedule
Runs itU.S. Forest ServiceBooked through recreation.govthe agency’s record
Watch for a cancellation

Full? Watch it.

One email when a night opens, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.

We read recreation.gov once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time a site in your window is free for the nights you asked for.

Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.

Free forever, no booking kickbacks.
Book on recreation.gov

We make nothing when you book. The link goes straight to the government.

Every line of the receipt · 10

What you actually pay

The sign priceU.S. Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service publishes no per-night rate for this campground that we can read, so there’s no sign price to print. That’s a gap in the record, not a free campground.
The booking feerecreation.gov
Reservation fee, booked online$8
One fee per reservation, however many nights you book, and it’s non-refundable. $9 if you book by phone, $3 in person.
Pass discounts only apply to the recreation (or use) fee for the facility. Other charges such as electricity or water hookups, reservation or other fees are not eligible for a discount.
What this campground addsits own record
Extra vehicle$10

“In accordance with standard industry practices, Inyo Recreation will assess an additional $10.00 extra vehicle fee per day for the second vehicle in each single family campsite, and on the third and fourth vehicle in…” · the U.S. Forest Service’s own agency notice

What a stay costs
The agency publishes no nightly rate for this campground, so there’s nothing to add the $8 booking fee to. We won’t total a receipt with a number missing from it.
If your plans changerecreation.gov
Change fee, moving to dates outside your booking$10
Cancellation fee$10
Cancelling the day before, or the day of$10 + your first night
No-show$20 + your first night

“Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.” · this campground’s own no-show terms

Who keeps the booking fee

The agency’s own policy text says the reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee are “retained by the reservation service contractor”, and that a campground concessionaire will decline to refund them because “they did not receive these fees”. Recreation.gov is run under contract by Booz Allen Hamilton. What share of your booking fee the contractor keeps isn’t published in any federal dataset we can read, so we print no number for it. Our reporting on the contract →

How we know this receipt · 6

rules read Sep 9, 2026 · record Aug 23, 2026 · How we know all this

Seen something wrong here? Tell us.

The sites

4 sites · which ones have room · the site map

The sites, ranked

from 3 mapped sites
90 ftbetween you and the next site, typically
Least roomLoop AGNE 01 90 ftLoop AGN3 03 90 ftLoop AGN2 02 108 ft

All 4 sites

3 of 4 sites located
Group3
Aerial · Esri World Imagery
SleepsTakes a

Toilet distances are OpenStreetMap’s, measured for 3 of the 4 sites listed. A site with no reading is unknown, never far.

AGN202group standard nonelectric30 ft108 ft897 ft456 ft
AGN303group standard nonelectric30 ft90 ft790 ft354 ft
AGN404group standard nonelectric30 ftyes
AGNE01group standard nonelectric30 ft90 ft705 ft277 ft

Getting there

the map and the coordinate · the agency’s directions
Coordinate37.68309, -119.08952
The agency’s pageOfficial page ↗

Where it is

Getting there

From U.S. Highway 395, take Highway 203 west through the town of Mammoth Lakes. Pass Mammoth Mountain Ski Area to Minaret Vista. Continue on Red's Meadow Road to the Agnew Meadows turnoff, about 2.5 miles.

The weather

the next four days · the thirty-year normal

Next four days, and the thirty-year normal

Forecast

Overnight35°Clear
Saturday59°Sunny
Saturday Night35°Clear
Sunday58°Sunny

NWS forecast for Mammoth Lakes, CA

Typical weather

Typical October night 20°F, day 61°F.

Coldest month of the year: typical January night 8°F, below freezing. Bring a bag rated colder than that, and expect ice in the water bottle.

90°32°0°

Daily high and lowDays with 0.10 in or more

A normal is the 1991-2020 average for the month, not a forecast: about half of all Julys are colder than the July line. The seven-day forecast above answers the other question.

Measured at: BODIE CALIFORNIA ST HISTORIC P, CA (USC00040943), 37 miles away and 60 ft higher

The land, and who answers for it

what threatens it · who answers for it

Roadless country, and what’s coming for it

Roadless
San Joaquin19,662 acres · 2 mi · inventoried roadless area
Roadless
Sherwin3,140 acres · 9 mi · inventoried roadless area

You’re camping on ground somebody wants. We track the threats and the comment deadlines.

Who answers for this land

Tom McClintock, official portrait

Agnew Meadows Group Camp is in California’s 5th congressional district. Its representative, Tom McClintock (R), votes on the laws that decide what happens to this land. Public-lands grade so far: F. See every public-lands vote →

Seen something wrong here? Tell us.

How we know

every fact on this page, and where it came from
Right now: U.S. Forest Service’s own recreation database flags it not open and publishes no reason and no date. That’s a flag, not a notice.
Fall color: More Than Just Parks foliage tracker, joined to this campground by distance (7.5 km) · Oct 4, 2026
Cell signal: the Forest Service’s own campground description, read as text by CAMPANAC. None of this is a measurement. It’s what the land manager published about the place, and phones, carriers and weather all disagree with each other; treat it as a warning, not a promise.