Soda Springs Campground
03 reviewsnull
Soda Springs Campground
$23.62 - $52.44 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$23.62
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Fees are $23.62 ($26.22 including taxes) for a single site and $47.24 ($52.44 including taxes) for a double site. An additional vehicle costs $7 per night.
About this campground
Nestled along the babbling waters of Chiquito Creek, Soda Springs Campground offers an intimate escape into the heart of Sierra National Forest. At 4,700 feet elevation, this hidden gem features 16 thoughtfully placed campsites that blend seamlessly into a landscape of towering pines and sandy creek banks. Each site comes fully equipped with tables, grills, and fire rings, creating the perfect basecamp for your mountain adventure. As one delighted visitor shared, this is a 'great campground close to the creek, great for fishing and has some good swimming holes' – a testament to the natural playground that awaits just steps from your tent.
Soda Springs Campground features tent and combined sites. It is not equipped for RV camping and does not offer group camping or specialized accommodations like cabins or glamping.
Historical Significancenull
Weather and SeasonsThe changing seasons paint Soda Springs in dramatically different colors throughout the year. From May through September, warm summer days invite lazy afternoons by the creek and starlit evenings around the campfire. Spring and fall bring crisp mountain air and the possibility of refreshing rain showers that fill the forest with the scent of pine and earth. As winter approaches, the campground transforms into a snow-dusted wonderland – beautiful to behold but too cold for camping, making those summer months all the more precious.
ElevationPerched at 4,700 feet in the Sierra Nevada, Soda Springs occupies that sweet spot where mountain air stays refreshingly cool even on summer days. This elevation brings morning mists that dance through the pines and evening temperatures perfect for campfire gatherings, while keeping you just below the altitude where breathing becomes noticeably thinner.
Natural Features and SceneryThe West Fork of Chiquito Creek serves as the campground's liquid heartbeat, its gentle current creating a natural soundtrack for your stay. The landscape reveals two distinct personalities: the left section wraps visitors in a dense embrace of old-growth forest, where filtered sunlight creates a cathedral of green, while the right section opens into sun-dappled clearings dotted with majestic Ponderosa pines. Sandy beaches along the creek provide natural gathering spots for swimming, fishing, or simply dangling your feet in the cool mountain water.
Geological RegionSoda Springs Campground showcases the diverse beauty of Sierra National Forest, where ancient geological forces have sculpted a landscape of gentle valleys and resilient forests. The combination of wooded slopes, sandy flats carved by centuries of creek flow, and the ever-present Chiquito Creek creates a textbook example of Sierra Nevada riparian habitat – a living classroom where granite bedrock meets mountain streams.
Campsite details
AccessibilityThe campground is not equipped with wheelchair-friendly toilets or known accessibility features.
Sites SizeCampsites are variable in size. The left section accommodates most RV sizes due to informal parking aprons, while the right section is less RV-friendly due to tighter spaces and trees.
Sites PrivacyPrivacy is limited, particularly in the right-side section which has sparse Ponderosa pine coverage.
Total Campsites16 campsites
Recommended Campsitesnull
Best Campsitesnull
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
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Check-out
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Stay Limit
Maximum stay of 14 consecutive days.
Guests Allowed Per Site
Maximum of 6 guests per site.
Groups
Group sites are not available.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutThe campground is divided into two sections: a wooded loop on the left and a more open spur with a tight loop at the end on the right. The latter has poor privacy due to scattered trees.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen Memorial Day weekend through October 1, weather dependent.
Reservation PlatformsReservations are not available.
Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up availability only; reservations are not accepted.
Cancellation Policynull
Amenities available
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Key recreational opportunities include fishing and potential picnicking, as noted in the description. There are no designated trails or activities like hiking or swimming.
Fishing
The campground offers fishing opportunities, with rainbow trout being mentioned as a catch.Winter Activities
There is no information about winter recreational activities.Water Sports
There are no designated non-motorized water sports like kayaking or paddleboarding available at this campground.Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Fire rings are provided at campsites, but current fire policies are unspecified.
- Quiet hours are null
Hazards
General hazardsPotential hazards include the lack of potable water and tree danger as noted in user reviews.
Active alertsCurrently closed due to a forest order related to tree danger.
Weather forecast
88
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Heavy rain
Precipitation: 26%
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Humidity: 22%
Very dry conditions, stay hydrated
Wind: 7.4 mph
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Light Rain - (26.00% chance)
Light rain expected
Heavy rain
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
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Good to know
Peak season datesnull
Trash and recyclingThere is no specific information provided about trash and recycling facilities.
Proximity to water featuresLocated along Chiquito Creek, providing options for fishing and swimming.
Common complaintsComplaints include the campground being closed due to safety concerns and the lack of potable water.
Hostnull
Campground Map
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Driving directionsFrom Fresno take Hwy 41 north to Road 200. Turn right and travel East to North Fork. Continue through North Fork to Minarets Road (Forest 81), travel 27.5 miles to the campground.
The campground is accessible via paved roads. However, the driving distance from Fresno and North Fork is substantial, and the route includes mountainous terrain. "A long way to get here but worth every minute," according to user reviews.Nearby places
North Fork, CA (approximately 27.5 miles, around 40 minutes by car)
Nearby supplies
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Camper Reviews
0.0
3 reviews
Soda Springs Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews are mixed, with some praising the campground's proximity to the creek, shade, and fishing, while others noted season-specific closures and hazards.
Review Summaries
Based on 3 reviews
What Campers Love
Users appreciate the campground's location near the creek, which provides opportunities for fishing, swimming holes, and shaded spots.
Based on 3 reviewsCommon Concerns
Complaints include seasonal closures due to forest orders and tree dangers. One reviewer mentioned this as a 'lousy' experience.
Based on 3 reviewsPro Tips & Recommendations
One user highlighted the long drive as worth the effort due to the quality of the campground.
Based on 3 reviewsSeasonal Insights
Positive reviews focus on warm-weather activities like fishing and swimming (likely summer or early fall). Negative trends center around closures during other seasons due to forest management.
Based on 3 reviewsCamper Quotes
1. 'Great campground close to the creek great for fishing and has some good swimming holes.' (Naun Garcia) 2. 'Best Campground in the planet all i can tell you its a long way to get here but worth...
Based on 3 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
The right-side section offers campsites adjacent to the creek, some with sandy beaches, but these sites are noted for poor RV accessibility.
Based on 3 reviewsAccessibility Features
No reviews specifically addressing accessibility features were found.
Based on 3 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
No reviews specifically address pet policies or features for pet owners.
Based on 3 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025