Picnicking
Just about any of the side roads that lead off the main highways and canyon entries provide ample opportunities to pull off, pick a scenic site and enjoy your time here on the forest. However there are designated sites built just for picnicking, as listed below.
Please use fires only in the metal fire rings/barbeques unless in a remote location, in which case a California Campfire permit would be required. Please be sure to remove all of your trash, keep vehicles on designated roads and parking areas and be sure your fire is dead out if you have one - check for fire restrictions first.
Picnicking - Single
Mono and June Lake Regions:
- Mono County Park at the north end of Mono Lake
- Grant Lake
- Gull Lake Boat Launch
Mammoth Lakes Region:
- Minaret Vista west of Mammoth Lakes
- Rainbow Falls Trailhead (Reds Meadow)
- McGee Creek Trailhead (this area is about 15 minutes south of Mammoth)
Rock Creek Region:
- Rock Creek Lake shoreline
- Mosquito Flat Trailhead (also known as Little Lakes Trailhead)
Bishop Region:
- South Lake Trailhead
- Sabrina Lake Trailhead
- North Lake shoreline
- La Hupp Picnic Site along the South Fork of Bishop Creek
Big Pine Region:
- The fishing pond at the end of the Big Pine Canyon Road
Whitney Portal Region:
- At the ponds and waterfall near the store
White Mountains Region:
- Pinyon Picnic Area on White Mountain Road
- Schulman and Patriarch Groves within the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Search for Picnicking Opportunities
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Site Open
Visiting the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is an enjoyable way to spend a day learning about the oldest trees in the world. Living trees exceed 4000 years of age with weathered, twisted, and…
Bishop Area
Site Open
Bishop Area
Convict Lake
Site Open
Convict Lake is located south of Mammoth Lakes and north of Crowley Lake. This scenic area is popular for picnics, fishing, hiking, and boating, and includes a boat ramp, campground, store,…
Convict Lake Day Use Picnic Site
Site Open
Parking for the picnic area and a paved trail on the southeast side of the lake.
Earthquake Fault
Site Open
A more appropriate name for the nearly straight fracture would be "Earthquake Fissure." Because the rocks on both sides have not moved much vertically of laterally relative to one another, it is…
Hayden Cabin Interpretive Site
Site Open
Hayden Cabin is on Mammoth Creek, built in the 1920's by Emmet Hayden. Hayden Cabin was stabilized and restored as a joint project between the Forest Service and Southern Mono Historical Society. The…
Horseshoe Meadow Area
Site Open
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…
Horseshoe Meadow Picnic Area
Site Open
Picnic area shaded by Foxtail Pines. Picnic tables, water, BBQ grills, and toilets available. Plan ahead, there is no cell service at this recreation site.
Hot Creek Geologic Site
Site Open
Hot Creek is a place to marvel at geology in action. Boiling water bubbling up from the creek bed, fumaroles and periodic geyser eruptions at Hot Creek attest to the chamber of hot magma which lies…
June Lake Beach
Site Open
Idyllic alpine lake with a picturesque beach.