Lake Thomas A. Edison Camping

Fresno County

Lake Thomas A. Edison, CA
Lake Thomas A. Edison, CA

Lake Thomas A. Edison Camping

Fresno County


Camping at Lake Thomas A. Edison

Lake Edison
Map

Lake Thomas A. Edison is owned by Southern California Edison and is located within the Sierra National Forest. A single Forest Service campground - Vermillion Campground - is situated right at the lake, while a number of other Forest Service campgrounds are scattered around the area between Lake Edison and Florence Lake.

Vermilion Valley Resort offers a variety of lodging and camping options. Because of the difficulty of driving over the narrow Kaiser Pass Road, large trailers and RVs are not recommended.

Most of the Sierra National Forest is open to Dispersed Camping. Fire Permits are required for building campfires or using a camp stove outside established campgrounds. Wilderness Permits are required for overnight trips into the John Muir and Ansel Adams Wildernesses.




Lake Edison Area Campgrounds

Vermillion Campground

Location: West end of Lake Edison, immediately north of Vermilion Valley Resort
Campground Facilities: 31 Campsites, Vault Toilets, Piped Water
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Tables, Grills
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or
Recreation.gov - Vermillion Campground
Note: Open June - October; 2 night minimum on weekends, 3 night minimum on holidays.
Fees: $31 for single site; during holidays fees increase $2 per site.
Nearby Facilities: Vermilion Resort, Launch Ramp, High Sierra Pack Station

Shop Amazon: Camping Essentials


Mono Creek Campground

Location: On Mono Creek, 2 miles from Lake Edison
Campground Facilities: 14 Campsites, Vault Toilets, No Water
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Tables, Grills and Fire Rings
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or
Recreation.gov - Mono Creek Campground
Note: Open June - October; 2 night minimum on weekends. 3 night minimum on holidays.
Fees: $31 for single site, during holidays fees increase $2 per site
Nearby Facilities: Vermilion Valley Resort, High Sierra Pack Station, Launch Ramp

Mono Hot Springs Campground

Location: Adjacent to Mono Hot Springs Resort, on the San Joaquin River, 5 miles from Lake Edison
Campground Facilities: 31 Campsites, Vault Toilets, No Water
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Tables, Grills and Fire Rings
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or
Recreation.gov - Mono Hot Springs Campground
Note: Open June - October: 2 night minimum on weekends. 3 night minimum on holidays.
Fees: $31 for single site; during holidays fees increase $2 per site.
Nearby Facilities: Mono Hot Springs Resort

Find the Best Camping in California

Complete information about even more campgrounds around the greater Lake Thomas A. Edison area and all up and down California. Visit our sister website:

California's Best Camping logo


Vermilion Valley Resort

Vermilion Valley Resort is located on the west end of Lake Edison, north of the dam.
(559) 259-4000     Website: Vermilion Valley Resort
Resort Facilities Various Accommodations, Dining, Store, Water Taxi, Transportation Service, Showers, Internet, Telephone, Boat Rentals
Electricity: The resort is powered by a generator which is switched on at 7:00 AM and off at 10:00 or 11:00 PM.

Accommodations:

Regular season (mid-June to mid-September) very reasonable rates; discounts for early or late season.

  • Motel Units: Two Double Beds, Private Bathrooms with Shower
  • Motel Units with Kitchens: Two Double Beds, Private Bathrooms with Shower, Kitchen
  • Yurt Cabin: Queen Bed, Kitchen
  • Trailer: Queen Bed or Double Bed, Kitchens, Bathrooms
  • Tent Cabin: Metal frame beds with mattresses. Supply your own bedding. Sleeps 4

Vermilion Valley Resort provides numerous services to backpackers, especially those traversing the Pacific Crest - John Muir Trail, which passes only a mile from the ferry dock at the east end of the lake. Among the services available for backpackers (and many for the general public) are . . .

  • Ferry Shuttle:   June - early August, Departs Resort at 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, 30 minutes to east end of lake; Departs east end of lake at 9:45 AM and 4:45 PM. Times vary during periods of low water.
  • Shuttle to Fresno: A shuttle van can carry up to 5 passengers and their gear to or from Fresno. They can also connect to Mono Hot Springs and Florence Lake.
  • Message Board: Allows solo hikers to find other hikers who need transportation and to split the cost.
  • Backpackers Re-supply: Backpackers can mail food and supplies to the resort and pick them up on their way through. See their website for detailed instructions: Vermilion Valley Resort Backpackers Resupply
  • Hiker Barrels: Hikers with extra food or supplies donate to the barrel, those in need take what they want.
  • Hiker Tent Cabin: Share a dormitory-style tent cabin. Or backpackers can pitch their own tents in the free camping area.
  • Communications: Internet and VOIP (Phone via Internet). AT&T cellular coverage usually works from the beach.
  • Showers and Laundry: Showers with towels provided (free for those renting rooms) and Laundry.
Vermillion Campground, Lake Thomas A Edison, CA

Vermillion Campground


Mono Hot Springs Resort

Off the Kaiser Pass Road, 6 miles from Lake Thomas A. Edison
(559) 325-1710     Website: Mono Hot Springs
Resort Facilities: Hot Springs Spa, Massages, River Rock Cafe, General Store, Post Office, Cabins, Tent Cabins, WiFi
Accommodations:



Nearby Campgrounds


Ward Lake Campground

Location: Near Ward Lake, 9 miles from Lake Edison, 2.5 miles from Florence Lake
Campground Facilities: 17 Campsites, Vault Toilets, No Water
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Tables, Grills
Reservations: None
Note: Open June - October
Fees: $22 for single site, $44 for double; during holidays fees increase $2 per site.
Nearby Facilities: Florence Lake Resort, Mono Hot Springs

Jackass Meadows Campground

Below Florence Lake on South Fork San Joaquin River
Campground Facilities: 44 Campsites, Vault Toilets, No Water
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Tables, Grills and Fire Rings
Reservations: None
Note: Open June - October
Fees: $27 for single site, $54 for double
Nearby Facilities: Florence Lake Resort

Bolsillo Campground

Kaiser Pass Road near High Sierra Ranger Station
Campground Facilities: 3 Campsites, Vault Toilets, Piped Water
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Tables, Grills and Fire Rings
Reservations: None
Note: Open June - October
Fees: None
Nearby Facilities: High Sierra Ranger Station, Corbett Lake Trailhead

Portal Forebay Campground

Kaiser Pass Road at Portal Forebay
Campground Facilities: 11 Campsites, Vault Toilets, No Water
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Tables, Grills and Fire Rings
Reservations: None
Note: Open June - October
Fees: $22 for single site, $44 for double site; during holidays fees increase $2 per site.
Nearby Facilities: Portal Forebay

TOP