California · Camping · Near Yosemite Valley

Spinning Wheel

from $25
fee
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Spinning Wheel open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Spinning Wheel, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 3,500 ft
  • Groveland Ranger DistrictStanislaus National Forest

Spinning Wheel Camping Area is a Forest Service campground in the Groveland Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest in California, about 1.8 miles from Sweetwater campground and close to YNP and Cherry Lake. The site has vault toilets, and a fee is charged for stays. Summer is the warmest stretch, with typical July and August highs around 86°F and lows near 59°F, based on averages from a nearby weather station at Hetch Hetchy. Late spring and early fall are milder, with typical May highs near 69°F and October highs around 70°F. Nearby options include the Golden Stairs to Cherry Oil Rd hike about 2 miles away and the Dam Trail at about 2.7 miles. South Fork campground sits about 3.7 miles off, and paddlers can reach the South Fork Tuolumne River about 5.2 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Spinning Wheel

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Restaurant at Rush Creek

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 6 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Roosevelt Point

    Viewpoint

    In town

    Scenic viewpoint in Yosemite National Park

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Yosemite Valley
  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Spinning Wheel

    Best months: March–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      48° / 32°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      52° / 33°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      57° / 36°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      62° / 39°

      8 wet

    5. May

      69° / 46°

      6 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 53°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 59°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 59°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 54°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 45°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 37°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      47° / 33°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Hetch Hetchy, CA, 13.6 mi away at 3,870 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.