Upper Sweetwater Campground

We stayed here for one night. Nice campground with private spots and a clean pit toilet.
Access road is marked as closed but we were able to reach the campground easily in a C25 motorhome. Due to heavy rain we had to cross two small rivers, but this should be no problem for any other car. Road is paved with some small sections of caution due to tarmac being replaced.
We could not reach the laguna campground couple of miles durther down the road since the last river crossing was too risky for us.

This is a nice find. Main downside to report is lots of annoying little black flies. (Not the biting blackflies, just flies that are black. I'd be interested to know how much of the year they're an issue.) Very little litter, bathroom (vault toilet only) about the cleanest I've ever seen.

Based on warnings about it filling up, we got here on a Thursday afternoon. Two of the six sites were occupied. Two of the four nights we were there there were three sites open, the other two nights there were four. BLM Ranger came by at least daily.

We stayed in Site 5. It affords a fair amout of shade in the afternoon, perhaps the least view, but clear sky to the North which is important if you're using StarLink like I am.

The road in from the West (which I presume is how most people will get there) is narrow and more than a little rough. Personally I wouldn't want to do it at night. There are two places where the road may cross water in wet weather (if California ever has any again.)

Remember that this is dry camping in every sense. Bring plenty of water, and whatever you need. About the closest place to get anything is King City, a very slow 28 miles away.

Stayed 4 nights in 31 foot Class A. Others there over the 4 days included one Class C, one tent camper using a car, and one travel trailer.

The drive to get to the campground is long and winding but the road is paved although a little rough. We got there around 1:30pm on a Friday in June and we had the whole place to ourselves! From what I could tell, there’s about 8 spots. After the sun went down around 8pm there were 3 others who showed up. Like another reviewer said, I felt lucky to get a spot, this is such a great campground. Absolutely no cell service so don’t expect to get work done. Did not use the toilets so I can’t comment, but they are there.

Rolled in on a Friday afternoon in March. Only one camper was there when we arrived which was 2:30pm. by 4:30pm the rest of the campsites were full and people were cruising looking for a spot. The table awing's were very nice touch. It rained most of the Saturday but the roads took it well, since they were rock and crushed gravel. We came from the north, past pinnacles. there are some sharp turns with climbing that slowed us down, and the last 8 miles to the campground where 1 1/2 lane roads. But we had a great time exploring and hiking the trails. The game warden even showed up to check on things.

Directions coming from the North or Pinnacles National Park (East entrance). Leaving park, drive to 146/25 junction. From 145/25 jct, drive southbound on 25 for 12.1 miles. You will see a left turn onto Coalinga Road, ( I could not find a Coalinga rd sign(I circled around and still could not find sign), instead you will see a BLM sign (see photo), and this is the road to campgrounds. Drive on well paved road thru picturesque farm land for 11.5 miles until you see BLM sign for Sweetwater. A couple of markers along the route to ensure you are on correct road:
At 5 mile mark- Cal Fire will be on your right.
At 9.3 mile mark - BLM Short Fence trailhead will be on your right.

Campsites were immaculate and well spaced out (could’ve fit twice the number of camp sites easily), metal canopy over picnic table.
Was a bit chilly overnight even though I slept in my car (luckily under my sleeping bag, I wore thermal top&bottom, plus pants, long sleeve shirt(double layers) & socks and was just comfortable enough.

Zero AT&T cell reception at campsite. I did not get cell reception until I drove 30 miles away from BLM (north towards Hollister, along the 25)