Swanson campground
Swanson
The Swanson camping area features basic amenities like picnic tables, campfire rings, and vault toilets. The number of campsites available is limited, and reservations are required in advance. The area is only accessible by car, and visitors are advised to bring their own water and firewood.
One interesting fact about the Swanson camping area is that it was once home to the Miwok Indian tribe, who used the area for hunting and gathering. Today, visitors can still see evidence of their presence in the form of ancient petroglyphs and grinding stones.
The best time of year to visit Swanson camping area is in the summer months, when temperatures range from 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and cool off to around 60 degrees at night. The area is closed in the winter due to heavy snowfall. Overall, Swanson camping area is a great spot for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a peaceful and scenic getaway in California.
What's on-site at Swanson
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Swanson, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swanson Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Shaver Free Campsite | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Camp Chawanakee | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Dorabelle Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Dorabelle | ✓ | ✓ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Swanson -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin R Bl Friant Ca | 452 cfs | → |
| Nf Willow C Nr Sugar Pine Ca | 416 cfs | → |
| Big C Div Nr Fish Camp Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Mf San Joaquin R Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 350 cfs | → |
| Marble Fork Kaweah R Ab Horse C Nr Lodgepole Ca | 109 cfs | → |
| Merced R A Happy Isles Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca | 848 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Swanson -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nohrsc Tamarack Summit | 0.7 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Huntington Lake | 1.6 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Kaiser Point | 0.4 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Upper Burnt Corral Meadow | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Chilkoot Meadow | 0.4 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Poison Ridge | 208.1 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Wildlife Area Kinsman Flat
- Wilderness Kaiser
- Wilderness Dinkey Lakes
- Big Table Mountain Ecological Reserve
- Wilderness Ansel Adams
- Millerton Lake State Recreation Area
Boat launches
- Redinger Boating Site
- Huntington Boat Ramp & Launching Site
- Sunnyslope Road 30796, Sanger
- Mammoth Pool Rd, California
- San Joaquin River Trail, Friant
- Florence Lake Boating Site
Fishing spots
Points of interest
- Blue Canyon Vista Observation Site
- Delilah Lookout
- Dunlap Vista
- Vermillion View Observation Site
- Boole Tree
- Converse Basin Grove
Paddle runs
- Blarney Meadows To South End Of Florence Lake
- Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River To Hells Half Acre
- Hot Springs Area To West End Of Blarney River
- Northwest Boundary Of Nf/Kings Canyon Np To Hot Springs Area
- Outlet Of Martha Lake (Boundary Extend 0.25 Mile On Each Side Of River) To Northwestern Boundary Of Kings Canyon National Park
- Rainbow Falls To Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Swanson as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Swanson
Can I make reservations at Swanson?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Swanson?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Swanson.