Camping & Cabins
Campground Open Dates and Fees are Subject to Change
Campgrounds are seasonally opened and closed. Open dates are approximate. A heavy snowpack may delay the opening date. Early closure may occur in order to protect water systems from freezing and to efficiently schedule work for seasonal shutdown.
Reservations
Toll Free 877-444-6777
TDD 877-833-6777
Intl: 518-885-3639
Internet: www.recreation.gov
• Group campgrounds can be reserved up to 12 months in advance.
• Standard campsites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance.
• For sites that do not accept reservations, select an empty site and self-register when you arrive.
Campground Rules
Specific campground rules are posted at each campground entrance. The maximum stay period allowed varies. Backpacking trailhead camps generally have a one-night limit. A maximum stay period of 7-14 days is normal for most campgrounds. Standard sites accommodate up to 6 people per site. Group sites accommodate larger groups.
Occupying Your Campsite:
• Pay your camping fee within 30 minutes of arrival, and before 2:00 p.m. if staying another day.
• All tents and equipment must be located within the designated site. Use designated parking space.
• Carry water to your campsite for all washing. Do not use faucets or restrooms for washing dishes, cleaning fish, or bathing.
• Site cannot be unoccupied for more than 24 hours without permission.
Campfires:
• Remember to check for fire restrictions before your trip.
• Use designated fire ring for all fires.
• Purchase firewood on site. Burn it where you buy it!
• If collecting firewood, do not cut standing or live trees. Collect only dead and down wood.
Food Storage:
Do not leave anything attractive to animals in your car, including: coolers, grocery bags, recycling and trash, canned food, beverages, coffee cups, alcohol, air fresheners, cans or bottles, toiletries, or anything with a scent. Bears are known to break into cars to access all of these items.
• Clean up promptly after meals and secure food.
• Use the bear-resistant lockers to store all food and scented items, including ice chests and coolers.
• Secure trash and recycling in the proper receptacles.
Pets:
• Leash your pets at all times and clean up after them.
• Keep your pet within your designated campsite.
Dispersed Camping
Often referred to as "Boondocking," "primitive camping" or "dispersed camping," this type of camping is done anywhere on the forest outside of a developed campground. There are no services, and you must practice Leave No Trace ethics.
- Do not camp in the Restricted Recreation Area Boundary, typically where there are developed campgrounds and paved roadways.
- ​To see where these areas are, explore this interactive map, thanks to the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership.
- Download the Inyo National Forest map (North or South) for $5 each on the free Avenza app. Pay attention to the red-lined restricted recreation area boundary and see exactly where your "dot" is -- no cell service needed -- on the Avenza app.
- Please note: you will be subject to a citation if you camp inside the Restricted Recreation Area Boundary (36 CFR § 261.58(e)).
- Download "Camp Like a Pro" (apple or android compatible) for all public lands in the Eastern Sierra.
- No need for cell service! Pay attention to shaded red areas that restrict dispersed camping.
- Navigate the old-fashioned way:
- Get a copy of our physical paper visitor map available to purchase at any of our visitor centers.
- When you find the perfect spot:
- Be sure to camp on a cleared, durable surface with no vegetation.
- Stay on established roads, and do not drive off-road to camp.
- Select a campsite at least 200 feet from water.
- Obtain a California Fire Permit, and check Fire Restrictions before you go: Forest Orders.
- Use a portable stove or fire pit that uses gas/liquid/jellied fuel and has an emergency shut-off valve in case it gets tipped over.
- If wood or charcoal fires are allowed (typically in winter or late spring):
- Do not build in high winds.
- Clear the area around the fire 10 feet of flammable material.
- Never leave fire unattended.
- Drown it in water until it is cold to the touch. We recommend bringing a 5-gallon water jug just for this purpose.
- Buy it Where you Burn It . Use only dead and downed wood for your personal campfire use for that trip. If you want to collect more, you must obtain your Woodcutting Permit far ahead of time.
- Do not burn any food or trash.
- Please note: you will be subject to a citation for having illegal campfires or not following campfire ethics (36 CFR § 261.52)
- On Inyo National Forest land, you may camp up to 14 consecutive days at one location and up to 28 days per calendar year on the Inyo National Forest.
- After 14 days, you must move at least 10 miles away from that location.
- This equates to two, 14-day trips allowed per year on the forest and must be at least 10 miles apart. If you camp only a couple of days at a time, this would equal more frequent trips throughout the year that add up to a total of 28 total days. (See our Forest Order)
- If this order is violated, you could be subject to a citation (36 CFR § 261.58(a)).
- Occupying the campsite for the purpose of residence is illegal (36 CFR § 261.10(b))
- There are no bear boxes in dispersed camping areas. Store food and trash securely inside a heavy-duty locked cooler, bear resistant container, and inside a vehicle. Check out our Bears page for guidance.
- Do not leave food or any other scented items inside your tent.
- Washing dishes:
- If you must dump your grey water, strain the food from it and scatter the water at least 200 feet away from camp and other natural water sources.
- Do not bury food bits and scraps. It will attract bears and they will dig it up.
- Use small amounts of biodegradable soap.
- Please note: you can be subject to a citation for improperly storing your food (36 CFR § 261.58(cc)), or leaving your trash (36 CFR § 261.11(d)).
- RV’s and camper vehicles:
- It is illegal to dump your black water on public lands (36 CFR § 261.11(d)). Toxic waste must be disposed of at the appropriate facility.
- Tent campers:
- Either pack out your waste or bury in a 6-8 inch hole 200 feet away from water and trails/roads. How to make a “Cat Hole”
- If you are in a large group, dig a long but shallow latrine. Remember to fill it in before you leave. Waste buried six inches deep will decompose more quickly than a deeper hole.
- Do not leave toilet tissue. This is considered littering.
- Camping with stock:
- Scatter animal manure for quicker decomposition.
- Bring emergency supplies: First aid kit, map, compass, flashlight, knife, waterproof fire starter, shelter, whistle, warm clothing, high energy food, water, water-purifying tablets, insect repellant.
- Know how to perform CPR and basic first aid.
- Check the weather report before you leave home.
- Check for hazards at your campsites: hazardous trees and terrain, flood prone areas, poison oak, ant beds, etc.
- Observe wildlife from a distance.
- Do not follow or approach animals.
- Never feed or leave food out for animals. Feeding wildlife is harmful to their health, alters natural behaviors and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Ultimately, this causes animals to harm people.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Leashing is not required in non-developed areas of the forest, but we still recommend it for safety reasons.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating nesting, raising young or winter.
Walk through your campsite looking for any litter (yours or not!), misplaced gear, and know that you are leaving it cleaner and more natural than it was when you arrived.
Aerie Crag Picnic Area and Campground
Agnew Meadows Campground
