Campground Camping

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...

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!

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.

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Campground Camping Areas

Mammoth Ranger District
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.

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Mammoth Lakes Area
A year round destination for recreation!
Coldwater Campground
Convict Lake Campground
Lake George Campground
Lake Mary Campground
New Shady Rest Campground
Old Shady Rest Campground
Pine City Campground
Sherwin Creek Campground
Twin Lakes Campground
Reds Meadow Road
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.
Agnew Meadows Campground
Minaret Falls Campground
Pumice Flat Campground
Reds Meadow Campground
Upper Soda Springs Campground
Mono Lake Ranger District
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.

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June Lake Loop
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Big Springs Campground
Bloody Canyon Trailhead
Deadman Campground, Upper and Lower
Glass Creek Campground
Gull Lake Campground
Hartley Springs Campground
June Lake Campground
Oh! Ridge Campground
Reversed Creek Campground
Silver Lake Campground
Lee Vining/ Mono Lake
The northernmost part of Inyo National Forest, Mono Lake and the gateway to Yosemite are near the community of Lee Vining, California.
Aspen Campground
Big Bend Campground
Ellery Lake Campground
Junction Campground
Lower Lee Vining Campground
Moraine Campground
Saddlebag Lake Campground
Sawmill Walk-in Campground
Tioga Lake Campground
Mt. Whitney Ranger District
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.

More Information for Mt. Whitney Ranger District
Horseshoe Meadow Area
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.
Cottonwood Lakes Walk in Campground
Cottonwood Pass Walk in Campground
Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian Camp
Kern Plateau
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.

For maps and guide books, visit the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA) webpage.
Kennedy Meadows Campground
Onion Valley Area
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.

Download area map for trail names
Lower Grays Meadow Campground
Onion Valley Campground
Upper Grays Meadow Campground
Whitney Portal Area
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.
Lone Pine Campground
Mt. Whitney Trailhead Campground
Whitney Portal Campground
White Mountain Ranger District
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.

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Big Pine Area
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.
Big Pine Creek Campground
Sage Flat Campground
Upper Sage Campground
Bishop Area
Bishop Area
Big Trees Campground
Bishop Park Campground
Bitterbrush Campground
Forks Campground
Four Jeffrey Campground
Intake 2 Campground
Mountain Glen Campground
North Lake Campground
Sabrina Campground
Willow Campground
Rock Creek Area
Rock Creek Lake and the nearby area attract visitors from all over the world. Rock Creek Lake is a traditional alpine lake surrounded by Jeffrey pines.
Big Meadow Campground
East Fork Campground
French Camp Campground
Holiday Campground
Iris Meadow Campground
McGee Creek Campground
Mosquito Flat Backpacker Campground
Pine Grove Campground
Rock Creek Lake Campground
Tuff Campground
Upper Pine Grove Campground
White Mountains
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!
Grandview Campground

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