Leavitt Meadows Campground
Campground · Yosemite corridor
Leavitt Meadows Campground sits at 7,238 feet in the high Sierra east of Yosemite, where meadow drainage and alpine exposure funnel wind across open ground. Spring and early summer bring cold nights and afternoon wind.
Wind accelerates off the east slope by afternoon, peaking in the 2 to 5 pm window. Morning calm lasts until 10 am. The meadow offers no tree shelter; gusts hit harder here than in the forested canyons below. Snowpack persists into late spring; expect melt-fed water and muddy approaches.
The 30-day average wind of 11 mph masks afternoon spikes to 31 mph; the rolling 30-day score of 17 reflects spring instability. Look for the quietest morning windows early in each day. The week ahead will follow the typical high-Sierra pattern: calm dawn, rising wind by mid-morning, and peak gusts after 2 pm.
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About Leavitt Meadows Campground
Leavitt Meadows Campground occupies a high-elevation meadow at 7,238 feet on the eastern slope of California's Sierra Nevada, roughly 45 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley via Highway 120. The site sits on the Yosemite corridor boundary, accessed from the east via Highway 395 and Sonora Pass Road (State Route 108). It is a destination for backpackers heading into the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness and day-use visitors exploring the high-country meadows and Leavitt Lake. The campground is closest to the town of Mono Basin and sits in the rain shadow of the crest; the meadow drains toward the East Walker River system.
Spring at Leavitt Meadows is defined by cold nights and windy afternoons. The 30-day average temperature of 31 degrees Fahrenheit reflects the lingering snowpack and nocturnal radiation loss. Wind averages 11 mph over the rolling 30-day period but routinely spikes to 31 mph in the afternoon; the meadow's open exposure and eastward aspect funnel gusts with little obstruction. Afternoon wind is more consistent here than in shaded canyons below. Expect mud, melting snow, and variable campground conditions into early summer. By midsummer, daytime highs climb but afternoon wind remains the defining feature. Fall cooling and reduced daylight bring calmer conditions and clearer nights.
Leavitt Meadows suits high-altitude campers, backpackers, and fisher folk comfortable with cold nights and wind-prone afternoons. The meadow and lake sit above tree line in much of the visible landscape; shade is minimal except in nearby riparian corridors. Those planning to fish or paddle should launch in the morning before 10 am when wind is gentlest. Parking fills during early-season weekends as Highway 120 opens and the corridor sees overflow from lower elevations. Bring windproof shelter and insulation; nights stay in the teens and twenties even in summer. The site is less crowded than the main Yosemite corridor campgrounds but fills quickly on weekends when Highway 395 offers northbound access.
Leavitt Lake sits immediately adjacent to the campground and offers a smaller, more sheltered alternative for paddling during morning hours. The nearby Carson-Iceberg Wilderness provides trails into high country and cooler microclimates. Mono Lake lies about 35 miles southeast via Highway 395 and offers dramatically different wind, crowding, and temperature profiles. Those seeking gentler conditions should consider lower-elevation campgrounds in the Yosemite foothills, where afternoon wind is weaker and spring mud dries faster.