Camping

 

- Warning! Active Bear Country -

Whether you’re staying on BLM land or at a designated campground, have a safe way to lock up your food that doesn’t include your vehicle.

 

Best Dispersed Camping Areas

What is Dispersed Camping?

Dispersed camping is essentially free camping on open land, and it comes with its own set of pros and cons. Also known as primitive camping, it is most commonly available on publicly-owned U.S. taxpayer land, also referred to as BLM land (Bureau of Land Management).

You won’t find dispersed camping areas anywhere within national parks, city areas, private property, protected wilderness, etc. Camping at a designated campground, for example, is not dispersed camping. The links below (as well as Google) can tell you where to find said land around each U.S. city area and how to best preserve the land you’re staying on.

What are the advantages? No crowds, no costs, no formal campgrounds, no reservations. Since they are (by definition) located outside populated city limits, dispersed camping areas are almost always exponentially more beautiful, remote and exciting to stay at—you’re actually having the authentic outdoor experience that you came for (imagine that). Talk to any experienced outdoorsman, and they’ll tell you that dispersed camping is the only option they look for on an adventure.

And now, the drawbacks. It’s real outdoor camping. That means zero amenities whatsoever. Restrooms, running water, picnic tables, grills for barbecuing food—you have to bring all of that swag yourself. Yes, you’ll be digging holes in the ground to poop (or finding restrooms in town). You’ll be responsible for your own fire safety and packing out your own trash. Because you’re staying in remote territory, roads in & out aren’t always paved or accessible for low-clearance vehicles. It means that people might not be around in case of emergency, and in the same context, it also often means no cell phone service.

With a great experience comes great responsibility. Know your comfort level in the wilderness and choose wisely. The best campsites I’ve ever stayed at have ALL been on primitive/BLM land. At the same time, for brand new outdoorsmen and women with families, this may not be the best option. If you decide to go and you’re new to this, read and have a copy of the instructions below.

Remember to LEAVE NO TRACE—be respectful of the land, and only bring in what you’re able to pack out.

Resources

 

Wild Willy’s Hot Springs - BLM Land

Camping at the hot springs? Count me in! See our section on Mammoth Area Hot Springs for details on camping.

 

The Mammoth Lakes Scenic Loop - BLM Land

Photo: The Mammoth Scenic Loop | Courtesy via: EasternSierraNevada.com

Photo: The Mammoth Scenic Loop | Courtesy via: EasternSierraNevada.com

What’s in a Name? Don’t mean to rain on your parade, but the Mammoth Scenic Loop isn’t especially scenic. According to the blog post below, it’s a euphemism for what should be called the Mammoth Emergency Evacuation Loop.

Either way, it’s open BLM land you can camp on, free of charge. If I only had a weekend, I wouldn’t pick this area over Wild Willy’s Hot Springs, but if you’re van camping and need close access to the town, the Scenic Loop could be a great bet.

Keep in mind this area is active bear country, and you clearly won’t find any bear lockers out here. Have a method of locking up your food (like a bear-proof cooler) that doesn’t include your vehicle.

Resources

 
 

Best Developed Campgrounds

Index of the Eastern Sierras’ Best Campgrounds

Photo: courtesy via CaliforniasBestCamping.com

Mammoth Lakes to Bridgeport - This website is an awesome resource that ranks all the top campgrounds in the Eastern Sierras.

Keep in mind these are designated campgrounds only. No dispersed or primitive camping areas are included.

Resources

 

Sherwin Creek

Summary - As good as it gets for designated campgrounds, Sherwin Creek is a clean, spacious and well-shaded campground about 10 min. southeast from downtown Mammoth. You’ll find it’s much less crowded than the Lakes Basin campgrounds. However it’s open during a shorter window (in 2018, it shut down the week after Labor Day).

Open-Closed - Varies each year - usually late spring to early fall

Reservations - Yes | Recreation.gov - Sherwin Creek Campground

Walk-ins - Yes - 15 sites for walk-ins only

Amenities - Vault toilets (good condition), water, fire rings, bear lockers, picnic tables

Our Recommendation - Excellent spot for summer-time camping when it’s too warm to camp at the hot springs. The walk-in only section of this campground lies in a beautiful grove of aspen trees. I’d recommend spot #7!

Resources

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Reds Meadow

Summary - Located at the bottom of Minaret Summit Rd., near Devil’s Postpile National Monument, Red’s Meadow is beautiful, secluded and spacious. A great spot to stay if you’re departing from or returning on hikes from the Red’s Meadow trail system (we stayed before backpacking trips to Iva Bell Hot Springs and Thousand Island Lakes). You can also find 6-7 other similar campgrounds along the same road if Reds is full.

Open-Closed - Mid June through mid September

Reservations - No. First come, first serve only.

Amenities - Flush toilets, bear lockers, water, fire rings; Nearby general store, shuttle stop and public showers at Red’s Meadow Pack Station.

Our Recommendation - Loved this campground—it certainly ranks high on aesthetic value. Note the $10 entrance fee to drive on Minaret Summit Rd. (zero charge with a National Parks Pass). Bring additional cash for the campsite, as you won’t find an ATM within 10 miles down there. Zero cell service. Beware of weird camp hosts.

Resources

 

New & Old Shady Rest Campgrounds

Summary: Some nights, convenience is more important than beauty. Located just a few blocks away from downtown Mammoth’s east entrance, NSR is easy to find for rendezvous parties and has great cell service. It’s also just a few blocks from the Mammoth Ranger Station & Backcountry Permit Office.

Open-Closed: Mid May through early November

Reservations - Yes, up to six months in advance | Recreation.gov - New Shady Rest

Walk-ins - Dedicated walk-in only campsites available

Amenities - Flush toilets, fire ring, bear locker, water, trash service. Good cell service.

Our Recommendation - There’s nothing especially beautiful or interesting about this campground, but it’s REALLY useful when you need it simply for its proximity to town—for example when you’re meeting up with inbound parties on a Friday night or waking up for an early morning visit to the backcountry permit office.

Resources

 
 

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