Campground Improvements

Project Description: The Eastern Sierra Regional Campground Improvements and Jobs Creation project - the official name of this Sierra Jobs First funded project - undertook planning for the renovation of campgrounds in the Eastern Sierra Jobs First Region, including Inyo, Mono, Calaveras, and Tuolumne counties. The project aimed to improve accessibility, increase public use, and mitigate climate-driven threats to infrastructure such as wildfires, flooding, and storm events. MLTPA partnered with the Inyo and Stanislaus National Forests and Inyo County to contract for engineering surveys and assemble a design team to prepare renovation plans. Candidate campgrounds on the Inyo National Forest included the Clyde/Palisade Group (Inyo Co), Upper Sage Flat (Inyo Co), Sage Flat (Inyo Co), and Coldwater (Mono Co). The Stanislaus National Forest campgrounds included Utica CG (Calaveras Co) and Niagara OHV CG (Tuolumne Co). Candidate campgrounds in Inyo County included Diaz Lake and Baker Creek Campgrounds. MLTPA, the Inyo National Forest, and Quantified Ventures, with funding from the USFS Innovative Finance for National Forests grant program, piloted campground improvement efforts in the Eastern Sierra with the “Eastern Sierra Campground Improvements” project, funded by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.

Catalyst Project Outcomes

BAKER CREEK CAMPGROUND

Baker Creek Campground, located along mountain streams and two stocked trout ponds, serves as a home base for high desert activities. Improvements to low-maintenance infrastructure, climate resilience, campsite boundaries, and accessibility can support increased year-round use.

Click here to view photo gallery from team site visit to Baker Creek Campground on October 2, 2025.

COLDWATER CAMPGROUND

Coldwater Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in the Inyo National Forest and is typically full throughout its open season. Designed more than 50 years ago, it now accommodates levels and types of use beyond those anticipated in its original design.

Click here to view photo gallery which includes survey team at work in late summer/early fall 2025 and team site visits to Coldwater Campground on October 1, 2025 and May 28, 2026.

PLEASANT VALLEY CAMPGROUND

In September 2025, Inyo County identified PVCG as an “emergency” project addition. The SJF project was well-positioned to alleviate Inyo County capacity constraints and pivot resources to prepare PVCG surveys and renderings for public input and funding requests.

Click here to view photo gallery which includes team site visits to Pleasant Valley Campground on October 3, 2025 and May 28, 2026.

ROCKY POINT CAMPGROUND

Rocky Point Campground offers a remote, rustic setting along Utica Reservoir, with both developed sites and dispersed camping areas. This project initiated planning to convert some dispersed areas to designated sites.

Click here to view photo gallery from team site visit to Rocky Point Campground on October 1, 2025.

Catalyst Project Background Materials

INNOVATIVE FINANCE FOR NATIONAL FORESTS PROGRAM

In November 2021, Quantified Ventures delivered the "Inyo National Forest Campground Business Plan and Executive Summary". The plan identifies potential non-federal capital resources for needed improvements and offers a replicable model for similar federal recreation infrastructure needs.

SUSTAINABLE RECREATION AND TOURISM INITIATIVE

In January 2022, "Eastern Sierra Campground Improvements" was one of eight projects identified and developed through the Sustainable Recreation and Tourism Initiative, highlighting public and agency demand for campground improvements across the region.

Catalyst Project Development

PROJECT PROPOSAL

Click to view the initial proposal for the Eastern Sierra Regional Campground Improvements and Jobs Creation project, including applicant, project, and funding information alongside project alignment with California Jobs First goals and project management details.

SIERRA BUSINESS COUNCIL CATALYST PROJECT WEB PAGE

The Sierra Business Council has created a web page for this specific project. Access their web page for specific information on the amount of the Jobs First Catalyst award, project partners, counties of impact, and the project description as awarded by the Sierra Jobs First Governing Council.

Last updated September 29, 2026

This project is funded by Sierra Jobs First and created to support the initiative’s mission of creating a community-led, climate-neutral, inclusive future for our industry in the Sierra region. Through our partnership with Sierra Business Council, regional conveners and fiscal administrators for California Jobs First in the Sierra region, we provide industry-specific assistance that supports job growth, inclusive workforce development, and economic resilience, while protecting our region’s natural lands and vibrant communities.