Remember camping as a kid? When was the last time you ate a s'more? Relive your childhood with your own children at a Forest Service campground this summer!
Campground Open Dates and Fees are Subject to Change
Campgrounds are seasonally opened and closed. Open dates are approximate. A heavy snow pack 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.
Remember camping as a kid? When was the last time you ate a s'more? Relive your childhood with your own children at a Forest Service campground this summer!
Campground Open Dates and Fees are Subject to Change
Campgrounds are seasonally opened and closed. Open dates are approximate. A heavy snow pack 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.
Links to easy print documents:
Campgrounds - contains complete campground information
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.
Mammoth Lakes Ranger District is located in the northern half of Inyo National Forest, and is centered around the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA. While known for winter sports, it is also a mecca for mountain biking and fishing enthusiasts when the snow melts. Hiking and equestrian trails go into wilderness areas of Sierra Nevada.
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 crest of the Sierra Nevada to the White Mountains. There are lakes, ponds, rivers and creeks for fishing. Roads and trails explore a 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 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!
