Camping & RVing in Mammoth Lakes

Camping is king during the summer months here in mammoth lakes and across the eastern high sierra.  In this section of the web site we will take a look at many of your camping options within 20 minuets of  the town of mammoth lakes.    Look for weekly camping updates on what's open/closed and tips on some great out of the way camping spots.  Look for us in our searcher rv, we will be out in getting video and images of every campground we have listed below.  If you see us stop by and say hello and let us get your photo shot.

Campground Information Camping in The Town of Mammoth Lakes New and Old Shady Rest Campgrounds Here in the town of mammoth lakes you can camp at the new and old shady rest campgrounds. The setting for these camp sites is in a dense jeffery pine forest. Mammoths afternoon winds blowing through these tree provide a nice relaxing camping atmosphere. Most people camping at Shady Rest use these sites as a launching point to go explore the eastern sierra. Shady rest campgrounds are located right along the mammoth lakes trail system. The trails can take you vie a walk or bike ride to parks, vistas, mammoth creek, downtown and the volcom skate park. The USFS visitors center and amphitheater are also right on the grounds. Look for highs in the 70s and 80s during the summer months and 60s and 70s in the fall months.  Snow in most years moves in a closes things down by thanks giving.  Both new and old shady rest campground have a hosts on site that are happy and eager to help you. These sites have no power, but they do have water, a table and fire pits. There are bathrooms that get cleaned twice a day on the grounds as well.  If you need a shower you can go across the street to the mammoth mountain rv park. Mammoth Mountain RV Park If you want full hook ups you will want to try out Mammoth Mountain RV park just across the street from the Shady Rest Campgrounds. Use this link for more information. http://www.mammothrv.com/ Both these campground have great access to town, the USFS outdoor theater and the visitors center.  We also recommend you bring your bike and ride for miles on paved roads and trails, right out of the campground.   The Mammoth Lakes Basin Offers 5 different campgrounds. Some of the spots are reservation only and  some are first come first served.  This area is bear country and you better follow the rules and store your food in the lockers provided at each camp site. Even in broad daylight bears will come up and eat all your food. Use caution and be bear aware. Keep food on locker unless you are eating it NOW.  More information about the mammoth lakes basin can be found here.   Cold Water Camp Ground offers a massive loop of camp sites to chose from. If your bringing any type of camper or trailer bring extra leveling blocks as many of these tight camp sites are way off level. It's amazing to see some of the spots RVs are getting leveled on in this loop. The cold water camp ground is within walking distance of the old Mammoth Mining town. Great place to walk and check out some mammoth history. The camp ground is also at the trailhead to duck pass. Endless day hiking right out of your campsite. The area has two creeks flowing and the bugs can get very thick, be prepared or you will get eaten alive. All sites have a table, fire ring, semi level dirt area for a tent and parking for a RV or 2 cars.  There are bath rooms that cleaned daily in the campground. Water available but not for RV hook ups.  RVs larger then 25 feet will have limited options in this campground. I have seen a few spots with 31 footers,  so it can be done. Some of the sites here can be reserved and many our first come first served.  Here is the USFS link to cold water camp where you can get info on the sites http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/camping/coldwater.shtml. Lake Mary Campground This area has two loops one for smaller campers trailers and tent and one that can accommodate some of the larger RVS. Our crew will be up in this area once it opens to get the low down on what size RV you can get in the upper loop. Lake Mary Campground give you direct access to the lake and to Pokenobe lodge. The lodge features a small store with some food items and a marina with fishing and pontoon boats. You want to bring your gear and food as the small store if just for back up if your forget something. http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/camping/lake-mary.shtml Lake George Campground This is a small campground that offers up some of the best paved drive in camping views in the Mammoth Lakes area. Over looking the lake with crystal crag and the mammoth crest just in front of you it is stunning here. It's also cold at night and your going to get afternoon winds coming off the mammoth crest. The fishing just below the camping sites can be very productive it times. When it's slow work your way around to the big rock on the back side of lake George for some hook ups. There are boat rentals available at the lodge that's sits right of the day use parking area.  http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/camping/lake-george.shtml Twin Lakes Campground You get 3 different campgrounds all located next to each other on the sides of twin lakes. The City Campground offers up 10 sites that are within 10-15 feet of the lakes. The back loop offers up around 80 sites with many of them right on the lake. The upper loop is not on the lake but it's only a 2 min walk down to the water This loop has about 30 site some level some way off level. I think the clue in the lakes basin is take extra gear to level your campers and RVs. These campgrounds have access to the twin lakes store with boat rentals, limited food and supplies. Just a 5 min walk down the road and you can eat a 5 start meal at the tamarack lodge. Great food and great times, they also rent boats out of tamarack lodge. http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/camping/twin-lakes.shtml Other Area Campgrounds The Sherwin's Campground Located about 3 miles out of town on the Sherwin ranch road, this campground is set in a great high country forest setting. During mid June its camping headquarters for the mammoth Moto cross so be advised that it gets a bit noise during that time. The rest of the camping season is quite and peaceful in the is mostly flat camp ground. From your camp site you have easy access to fishing, mtn biking, and some great hiking. Your also 5 mines from the town of mammoth lakes where you we be able to get food and supplies. Map Convict Creek Camp Ground This is one popular place to camp. With the scenic beauty, the creek and the lake you can not go wrong. Add in the Convict lake resort and your have 5 start eating, food and supplies. They also have a full marina with a launch ramp for you private boat owners. We met a guy who was camping here and went fishing on the creek near the lake, the result was a 15 pound trout. They have a picture of it at the convict creek store. This campground is run by the USFS and not the Convict Lake resort. Browns Town Owens River Access to some great fishing. If your looking to camping the pines this is not the place for as it's located on open land about 10 miles form the forested areas like mammoth lakes.  Browns Town has a web site right here http://www.brownscampgrounds.com/owens.html Big Springs Camp Ground Located 15 miles north of Mammoth this campground is located right at the head water of the owners river. This is almost dry camping with primitive toilets and a couple water outlets on site. You get a table and fire pit. and a semi level site. Reds Meadow Area Offering up a bunch of campgrounds this area is a great camping experience. Bring everything you need since its a 25 minute drive back it to mammoth lakes.  Dump Stations Shady Rest in Mammoth Lakes and The Mammoth Mountain RV Park both offer Dump Stations.  It costs around $5-10 to dump your full tanks.  Talk to the host at Shady Rest or the crew in the Office at the RV park for more information. In Bishop Browns Town Campground can take care of you. You can dump for free at the convict lake dump station. If you have a large rig in excess of 28 feet use the dump station at the mammoth mountain rv park or at new shady rest. 40 footers must us the mammoth mountain rv park for dumping. Propane: In Mammoth Lakes The RV Park and Chevron can get you filled up fast.  For large rigs use the RV park as the propane pump at chevron can not accommodate you easily.