Remember camping as a kid? When was the last time you ate a smore? Relive your childhood with your own children at a Forest Service campground this summer!
Remember camping as a kid? When was the last time you ate a smore? Relive your childhood with your own children at a Forest Service campground this summer!
Mammoth Lakes Ranger District is located in the northern half of Inyo National Forest, and is centered around the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA. The area is most well known for winter sports. When the snow melts, it is a mecca for mountain biking and fishing enthusiasts. Hiking and equestrian trails access huge areas of Sierra Nevada wilderness.
Spectacular views from Minaret Vista survey this canyon full of recreational opportunities. Camp, fish, hike and explore Devils Postpile National Monument, Reds Meadow Resort and Agnew Meadows. Devils Postpile National Monument website has additional shuttlebus information.
Mono Lake Ranger District is the northernmost district of Inyo National Forest. The western portion of the district is adjacent to Yosemite National Park, and includes one of the most spectacular and accessible areas of the Sierra Nevada. To the east is Mono Lake, and the world's largest stand of majestic Jeffrey Pines.
The Mt. Whitney Ranger District is the southernmost district in the Inyo National Forest. On its western edge is Mt. Whitney, highest point in the contiguous United States. The district extends from the crest of the Sierra Nevada to the Inyo Mountains. Recreation activities include hiking, fishing, climbing, horse riding, and more.
Horseshoe Meadow is a vast 10,000 foot high meadow, surrounded by lodgepole pine forest. Getting there is an adventure in itself; the road to Horseshoe Meadow climbs over 6,000 feet, as it winds its way up from Lone Pine. Three campgrounds are located in the Horseshoe Meadow Area. Trails from Horseshoe Meadow provide access to the Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. The road to Horseshoe Meadow is closed from approximately November to May due to snow.
Located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada, the Kern Plateau is vast area of forest covered hills and mountains, punctuated by by green meadows. The gently rolling landscape contrasts sharply with the rugged Sierra to the north. This area was not glaciated so the terrain is much gentler than most of the Eastern Sierra. The Kern Plateau is popular with stock users due to the ease of travel, abundant water and open meadows.
The Kern Plateau is home to California's state fish, the California Golden Trout, which have existed for thousands of years in Golden Trout Creek and the South Fork of the Kern River.
Trails from Onion Valley provide acces to the John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park. In the spring, Onion Valley is popular with backcountry skiers and snowboarders. The road to Onion Valley is usually open from May to November.
The Whitney Portal is 13 miles west of Lone Pine, CA, at the end of Whitney Portal Road. It is in a heavily wooded canyon, with towering granite cliffs on either side. The area includes 3 campgrounds, a picnic area, fishing pond and a stream. Trails from Whitney Portal provide access to the John Muir Wilderness and Sequoia National Park.
White Mountain Ranger District extends from the Sierra Nevada to the White Mountains. There are hundreds of lakes, ponds, rivers and creeks for fishing and many roads and trails to explore the wide variety of terrain and life zones. Elevations accessible by car range from 3,900 ft in Big Pine to 10,100 ft at the Mosquito Flat trailhead at the end of Rock Creek Road.
Camping, fishing, hiking and backpacking draw many visitors to the Big Pine Creek Area every year. Beautiful First Falls is a short walk from the picnick area. Longer hikes up the north fork trail leads to glacier fed lakes, First through Seventh lakes and great views into the Palisade Glacier Basin. Overnight stays in the John Muir Wilderness require a wilderness permit.
Rock Creek Lake and Crowley Lake attract visitors from all over the world. Crowley Lake, on the Owens River is located in sagebrush country while Rock Creek Lake is a traditional alpine lake surrounded by Jeffrey Pines.
This high desert mountain range is home to the oldest living trees in the world: the Ancient Bristlecone Pines. The range is anchored at the north end by the highest peak in the State of Nevada, Boundary Peak. Water is scarce in this Great Basin Range but the views, hiking and exploring are tops!
