Dinkey Creek Campground is located in the Sierra National Forest, approximately 16 miles outside of Shaver Lake, in a high country setting with trees, streams, and open space. You reach Dinkey Creek just past the turn off to Wishon and Courtright Reservoir.

We offer a free interpretive program in the summer every Friday evening, and Saturday morning and evening. The evening programs may consist of Dinkey logging history, animals of the Sierra Nevada, flowers and foliage, trees and star gazing. We also have bat specialists who entertains and teaches campers about these nocturnal creatures. The morning program is a nature hike. The walks usually go down to the Dinkey Historical Bridge and across the road over to the little falls of water, or they hike to the old Dinkey sawmill.

Local activities include a nature path at the McKinley Grove, rock climbing and hiking trails, several 4x4 trails including the Dusy Ershim, plus fishing at Wishon and Courtright Reservoirs and at Dinkey Creek where fish are planted each week during the season. Campers can also play and swim in the creek and a Day Use area for picnicking is available. The town of Shaver Lake hosts a few festivities throughout the summer, and Courtright holds an annual fishing derby.

Dinkey Creek is rich in history. For thousands of years, Indians have lived in the Sierra Nevada. Trails the Indians used are still visible today, winding through the granite boulders of Dinkey Creek and through Blue Canyon. In 1848 gold was discovered in California. Prospectors made their way to Dinkey Creek to pan for gold.

In the 1860s, valley ranchers brought their sheep to the Dinkey Creek area. The grazing was good with the lush, green meadows. Frank Dusy, a miner turned sheep herder, brought his flock to Dinkey Creek. Frank Dusy was very active in the community. He was elected deputy sheriff and still found time to explore. It is believed that he had a dog named Dinkey that fought, and unfortunately, lost a fight to a bear.

In 1892 John Muir urged the government to protect the Sierra Nevada's “Range of the Light." In 1893, four million acres of forest in the southern Sierra Nevada became the Sierra Forest Reserve. In 1907 it became the Sierra National Forest.

Dinkey Creek Truss Bridge, located in McKinley Grove is a unique bridge and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is just a small amount of history of Dinkey Creek. Come and explore and learn the history of Dinkey Creek.

Number of Camp Sites: 120

Semi-Developed

Maximum Campsite Spur Length: 45 feet

Maximum Number of People Cabin or Fire Lookout May Accommodate: 6

Nightly Fee: $24 to $48

Maximum Length of Stay Allowed: 14 Days

Campground or Cabin is Universally Accessible

Direct Link to Reservation Site: www.recreation.gov

From Clovis, California, travel east on Highway 168 to Shaver Lake. Turn southeast on Dinkey Creek Road, travel 13 miles to the campground.

This facility is operated by California Land Management. Your comments are appreciated; comment forms are available from campground hosts or directly at www.clm-services.com.