Vermillion Campground
Vermillion Campground sits at the northwest end of Lake Thomas A. Edison in the Sierra National Forest. From Fresno, it is a 3-hour drive to the east, crossing over narrow and winding Kaiser Pass Road. Large motorhomes and trailers are not recommended. Edison is one in a series of high mountain lakes operated by the Southern California Edison Company. The 3½-mile-long lake is most popular for fishing and the surrounding forests for hiking. The campground and lake are on the edge of the John Muir Wilderness and the Ansel Adams Wilderness.
Vermillion Campground has 31 campsites. Most sites are intended for tent camping, but a few can accommodate small RVs or those with tent trailers. Some sites have slopes making them unsuitable for tents. Most campsites have filtered lake views. Ponderosa pines offer shade. A minimum 2-night stay is required on weekends and 3 nights on holiday weekends.
The nearby Vermilion Valley Resort is a popular stopping place for hikers along the John Muir Trail/Pacific Crest Trail. Most hikers use the resort's water taxi to to avoid a 5-mile hike around the lake's shore. Many hikers stay at the resort, taking advantage of its showers, restaurant, resupply, and camping. Some hikers may prefer the more secluded sites at Vermillion Campground.
