Lily Pad Campground is located on the west side of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Wishon Reservoir in the Sierra National Forest. Wishon Reservoir is popular for fishing and boating.
With a 15 MPH speed limit, Wishon makes a great place for paddling kayaks, canoes and rafts. Trails lead into the John Muir wildernesses. From Shaver Lake it is a 29-mile drive to Wishon Reservoir.
Lily Pad Campground has 15 campsites operated by PG&E. Four of the sites are walk-in, tent-only campsites; the rest can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. Campsites do not have lake views. Some sites have pull-throughs for large RVs.
| Campground Basics | |
|---|---|
| Lily Pad Campground Location: | South shore of Wishon Reservoir not far from the dam |
| Elevation: | 6,540 feet |
| Mileage from gateway cities: | Fresno - 79 miles |
| Camping Season: | Open early June through mid-October, weather permitting
Check exact opening-closing dates: PG&E Campgrounds - Opening, Closing, Fees |
| Number of Sites: | 15 |
| Max. People per Site: | 6 (including children) |
| Vehicles per Site: | 1 ($5 fee per night for 2nd vehicle) |
| Pets: | On leash, always attended, $2 per night per pet |
| Operated by | Pacific Gas and Electric |
| Information: | High Sierra Ranger District: (559) 855-5355 PG&E: (559) 442-5576 |
| Reservations | |
|---|---|
| Reservations Available | Lily Pad Campground reservations are usually available for camping dates from late May through early September. |
| Booking Window: | See PG&E's Reservation Information below |
| Maximum Vehicle Length: | 35 feet |
| Wheelchair accessible sites: | none designated |
| Fees: | $25 per night |
| Reservations: | Lily Pad Campground Reservations |
| Check-in, check-out: | Check-in: 2:00 PM Check-out: 11:00 AM |
| Lily Pad Campground Amenities | |
|---|---|
| Campsite amenities: | Picnic table, grill, bear-proof food storage locker; no hook-ups |
| Campground: | Vault toilets, piped water |
| Showers: | No |
| Dump Station: | No |
| Nearby facilities: | Wishon Village |
| Attractions near Lily Pad Campground: | Enjoy Wishon Reservoir for boating and fishing. Wishon Village RV Resort operates a small marina with boat rentals. Try Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding on local trails. Discover Spanish OHV Route.
Trout Fishing Best Sellers |
| Updates | Last Updated February 2025 |
Lily Pad Campground
PG&E has updated its reservations dates for 2025:
April 15, 8:00 AM - Reservations become available for all camping dates.
Many PG&E campgrounds (except group campgrounds), including those with reservations available, also have some first-come, first-serve sites.
Lily Pad Campground
Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation operates Courtright and Wishon reservoirs. The two lakes are part of PG&E's hydroelectric facilities. Campers at Lily Pad Campground at Wishon Reservoir enjoy all the beauty of this mountain lake.
Check PG&E - Lily Pad Campground for any campground updates.
Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.
In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.
Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate
