Saddlebag Lake
- Status
- Resort closed; reopens Father's Day weekend
- Elevation
- 10,080+ ft
- Size
- About 340 acres
- Water taxi
- $18 one way, $25 round trip
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
- Boat rentals
- Camping
- Restrooms
About this lake
Status: the resort is closed for the season and says it will reopen on Father's Day weekend.
Saddlebag Lake is a 340-acre lake at more than 10,080 feet in the Inyo National Forest, at the end of Saddlebag Lake Road off Highway 120 east of Tioga Pass.
Water taxi
Saddlebag Lake Resort's water taxi runs from the resort marina to the far end of the lake, the gateway to the 20 Lakes Basin. It runs Thursday to Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., leaving hourly. A ticket is $18 one way or $25 round trip. Dogs and big packs are welcome.
Rentals
The resort rents paddleboards and canoes ($35 for 2 hours, $85 a day), fishing boats ($60 for 2 hours, $300 a day) and a pontoon for up to 8 people by email reservation. Life jackets are included. The resort is cashless.
Fishing and camping
Trolling is the most popular way to fish for rainbow and brook trout. Saddlebag Lake Campground near the dam has first-come sites with water and pit toilets. The Forest Service day-use site has no fee.
Mussel rules
Mono County requires trailered boats to be inspected and stickered before launching, and paddle craft to be cleaned, drained, dried and self-inspected.
Getting there & access
Getting there
Take Highway 120 west from Lee Vining toward Tioga Pass and turn north on Saddlebag Lake Road to the end.
Season
The resort opens Father's Day weekend and runs through summer; the high elevation means a short season.
Mussel inspection
Since April 2026, Mono County requires every trailered boat and jet ski to be inspected before launching. Inspections and the Eastern Sierra mussel sticker are free at Eastern Sierra WID stations. Paddle craft must be cleaned, drained, dried and self-inspected.
- Taxi hours
- Thu-Sun 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., hourly
- Resort email
- saddlebaglake@gmail.com
What's here
Boat rentals
Fishing boats, canoes, paddleboards and a pontoon
Kayaking
Paddleboard and canoe rentals
Fishing
Rainbow and brook trout
Camping
Saddlebag Lake Campground near the dam
Restrooms
Pit toilets at the campground
Rules & official resources
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025dbw.parks.ca.gov ↗
- Water taxi Thursday to Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the resort is cashlesstiogaresort.com ↗
- Trailered boats and jet skis must be inspected at a free Eastern Sierra WID station and carry the Eastern Sierra mussel sticker before launching; launching uninspected can bring fines, misdemeanor charges or impoundmentftp.monocounty.ca.gov ↗
- Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and other small non-motorized craft must be cleaned, drained, dried and self-inspected before launching somewhere newmonocounty.org ↗
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