Codorniz Campground

Eastman Lake

Eastman Lake, CA
Eastman Lake, CA

Codorniz Campground

Eastman Lake


Codorniz Campground

Eastman Lake rests in the low foothills of Madera County, about 30 miles northeast of Madera. The 1,780-acre lake is operated by the Army Corps of Engineers and serves as flood control, irrigation, and recreation. Waterskiing, fishing, and swimming are favorite activities at the lake. Excellent day-use facilities include shaded picnic sites, a disc golf course, a softball diamond, and boat launch ramps. An abundance of wildlife inhabits the grasslands and rolling hills around the lake.

Eastman Lake has 81 family campsites in two main camping areas on the southeastern shore of the lake, Codorniz Campground and Wildcat Campground. Four campsites are designated for tents only. The rest can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. Codorniz Campground is the smaller of the two, with 16 campsites well-separated on the hillside near the lake and 3 equestrian sites. Wildcat campsites lack the RV hook-ups found in Codorniz Campground.

Codorniz Campground is adjacent to Wildcat, but has a separate entrance in the Codorniz Recreation Area. Codorniz Campground includes a well-maintained volleyball court and a children's playground. A number of campsites have electric and water hook-ups and some have full hook-ups. Water hook-ups are available at many sites as long as campers have a backflow arrester and a Y connector. Campers are limited to one energy-using camping unit at each electric hook-up site. The campground lacks much natural shade, but some of the sites have shade ramadas over the picnic tables.

Codorniz Campground also include 3 Group Campsites, 3 Equestrian Campsites, and 1 Group Equestrian Campsite.

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Codorniz Campground Basics
Location: North end of County Road 29, twenty-five miles northeast of Chowchilla
Elevation: 600 feet
Mileage from gateway city: Chowchilla - 25 miles
Number of Sites: 88
Camping Season: Open year-round
Max. People per Site: 8 people (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 2 ($8 per night for 2nd vehicle)
Pets: On leash, always attended ($4 per night)
Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers
US Army Corps of Engineers - Eastman Lake: (559) 689-3255

Reservations at Codorniz Campground
Reservations available year-round
Booking Window: Reservations taken from 3 days up to 6 months in advance of arrival.
Maximum RV/trailer Length: no limit designated
Wheelchair accessible sites: some accessible sites
Fees: Standard sites - $20 per night
Wildcat primitive and family equestrian sites - $20
Electric and water sites - $30
Electric, water, and sewer sites - $30
Reservations: Codorniz Campground Reservations
Check-in, check-out: 2:00 PM, 2:00 PM

Eastman Lake Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, fire ring with grill; partial hook-ups and full hook-ups at some sites
Campground: Restrooms with flush toilets, vault toilets, tap water, amphitheater
Showers: Yes
Dump station: Yes
Nearby attractions: Baseball fields, boat ramps, disc golf, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, playground, swimming, volleyball courts, wildlife watching, evening programs




Group Campsites

Codorniz Campground includes 3 group campsites. North A campsite can accommodate up to 40 people and 12 vehicles, North B up to 100 people and 25 vehicles, and South up to 160 people and 50 vehicles. The campsites have covered picnic shelters and 10-amp power available at the shelters for heating food and coffee. There is no power available to RVs or trailers. At the South Campsite two 20-amp outlets are located in the parking area for medical equipment needs. The South Site includes a volleyball court, while North B has a horseshoe pit. Group sites may be reserved up to 12 months before arrival.
Fees: North A - $80 per night, North B - $90, South - $100
Reservations: Codorniz Group Campground Reservations

South Group Campsite at Eastman lake, CA

South Group Campsite

Standard Equestrian Campsites and Group Site

Wildcat Campground includes 3 standard equestrian campsites for up to 8 people and 2 vehicles at each site. The campground has hitching posts, corrals, and composting stations available.

The Group Equestrian Campsite is set apart from the main camping areas. The group site can accommodate up to 60 people and 30 vehicles. Due to construction, flush restrooms and showers and water are not available, according to the reservation website (2016-2018). Group sites may be reserved up to 1 year in advance of arrival, standard sites up to 6 months before arrival.
Fees: Standard sites - $20 per night, Group site - $60
Reservations: Codorniz Equestrian Campground Reservations

Equestrian Campsite in Wildcat Campground, Eastman lake, CA

Equestrian Campsite in Wildcat Campground


Codorniz Campground, Eastman lake, CA

Codorniz Campground

Eastman Lake
Attractions and Activities

Eastman Lake's warm water attract visitors year-round. For those camped at Codorniz Campground or nearby Wildcat Campground comfortable campsites make the lake stay a pleasure.

  • Fish for bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and rainbow trout.
  • Boat and waterski in this wide lake known for its warm water.
  • Take advantage of launch ramps with courtesy docks located in the Chowchilla and Codorniz recreation areas.
  • Visit points of historical interest around the lake, including Native American sites and a monument to the old copper Town of Buchanan.
  • Hike, mountain bike, or horseback ride along miles of trails.

Key Codorniz Campground and Wildcat Campground Regulations

  1. Quiet Hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM.
  2. Dogs must be leashed and attended.
  3. Campfires are allowed in appropriate fire-rings and other containment depending on wind and weather conditions and may change anytime.
  4. Energy Using Units include self-contained RVs, trailers, 5th-Wheels and other energy- using camping units.

    Check US Army Corps of Engineers - Eastman Lake for any campground updates.

General Camping Information

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.

In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, purchase firewood locally.

Accessible Sites

Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate.