A
Alyssa H.
Scout
ScoutVolcanic Tableland BLM Dispersed Camping
Loved it once i found it!
Was hard to find if you used Google Maps without the coordinates provided on this app so USE THE COORDINATES PROVIDED ON THIS APP lol
Camping near Bishop, CA
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The Bishop, California area encompasses a variety of camping options across different elevations and landscapes. Volcanic Tableland BLM Dispersed Camping offers free primitive sites north of town, while established facilities like Brown's Town and Highlands RV Park provide more developed experiences with hookups and amenities. The region includes both tent and RV sites, with several campgrounds offering mixed accommodation types. Most developed campgrounds are situated within 15 miles of Bishop's city center, providing convenient access to services while still offering mountain views.
Campgrounds in the Bishop area typically operate year-round at lower elevations, while higher elevation sites may close during winter months. Many established campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, with varying levels of amenity access. Several locations like Brown's Town and Highlands RV Park maintain shower facilities and toilets, though some require additional fees for these services. Public lands permit dispersed camping with fewer amenities but greater privacy. Cellular coverage varies significantly by location, with stronger signals near town and spotty reception in outlying areas. A visitor commented that Highland RV Park offers "full hookups, very well maintained sites with dirt sections and a concrete slab with picnic table."
Campers report that proximity to Bishop's amenities is a key advantage for many sites, with several campgrounds placing visitors within walking distance or a short drive to restaurants, shops and services. Mixed-use campgrounds like Brown's Town feature grassy sites with picnic tables and fire pits, offering a balance between developed amenities and natural surroundings. According to reviews, many campgrounds provide mountain views with "beautiful 360-degree Mountain Views" visible from some locations. Camping near Bishop provides excellent access to outdoor recreation, including fishing in nearby streams and hiking trails throughout the Eastern Sierra region. Several visitors noted clean facilities as a consistent positive feature across the developed campgrounds in the area. While some campgrounds can be noisy due to proximity to highways, others offer quieter settings with natural barriers or greater distance from major roads.
Best Campgrounds near Bishop (237)
1. Volcanic Tableland BLM Dispersed Camping
"Was stoked to find this gem a short drive from Bishop. I drove in at night and the Milky Way was shining bright. Got some decent star shots."
"We wanted something near Bishop. Hardly anyone around, but other vans helped us know we were in the right place. A bit windy and cold though!"
2. Pleasant Valley Campground
"There is Pleasant Valley Campground, and if you cross the street and drive a little bit in you can get to Pleasant Valley Pit. This place has no shade, no trees, but amazing view of the Sierras."
"Nice walking trail right outside the campground. Not much privacy, but spots are nicely spaced."
from $14 - $108 / night
Check Availability3. Grandview Campground
"Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is close by or take a drive down to the old mining area, but I would suggest a four wheel drive, mountain bike or good hiking shoes drive for this."
"With amazing views of the Sierra Nevadas, and lots of exploration potential in the Inyos, this is a wonderfully situated campground."
4. Highlands RV Park
"We were just driving through Bishop on opening weekend of fishing season (who knew?) and looking for a spot for weekend so we could get laundry done and get showers."
"This location is very clean, close to town with full hook ups. Staff was very friendly! It is right next to a pretty noisy road but I think it's a good stop for the night 👍"
from $41 - $45 / night
Check Availability5. Pleasant Valley Pit Campground
"Straight forward camp sites right outside of bishop, easy access for climbing at Owens river gorge, or saying for skiing at mammoth below the snow line. Only $5 a night"
"Not too far outside of the town of Bishop that has everything you could want. Would definitely recommend!"
from $5 / night
Check Availability6. Brown’s Town
"Close To town(Bishop). Close to lots of lakes and tons to do and see. Very clean,"
"Number 2, Bishop is a nice little town with AMAZING food spots, so you will want a little time to check those out."
from $27 - $32 / night
Check Availability7. McGee Creek
"We camped right next to the stream and stayed one night and it was peaceful and far away from any highway."
"Road was closed so we walked the half mile or so in. Beautiful spot!"
8. Big Pine Creek Campground
"However, next to Big Pine Creek Campground is Glacier Lodge (they share the same entrance road and is privately owned)…and they will rent you a shower for $5/5 minutes."
"Wood was about $1-2 per bundle more expensive than other National Forest sites we've been in & the nearby town."
from $26 / night
Check Availability9. Brown's Millpond Campground
"The Browns Millpond campsite was a last minute trip to Bishop. The campsite was small for tent campers and had hookups for RV's. The camp had showers, toilets and even a fish cleaning station."
"The campground is near a county park with a small lake . This is a great home base to explore the area, Toms place,Rock creek,Convict Lake, Mammoth and the June Lake loop are within 45 min."
10. Baker Creek Campground
"We showed up around 6 A.M. when it was still dark in the campground. I knew the general area of the campsite, so we drove around with only head lights to guide us."
"Each campsite has a table, BBQ and located next to Baker Creek. There is also a lovely pond for fishing and lots of shade. Cost is $14 per night."
from $14 / night
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Recent Camping Photos near Bishop, CA
285 Photos of 237 Bishop Campgrounds
Sharon P.
Brownstown Campground
Kalai L.
Pleasant Valley Campground
Leah W.
Pleasant Valley Pit Campground
Larry E.
McGee Creek
Debi R.
Keoughs Hot Springs and Campground
Amber D.
Bitterbrush Campground
Natalie G.
Four Jeffrey Campground
Sarah P.
Four Jeffery Campground
lena
Forks Campground (Inyo) — Inyo National Forest
Ron
Creekside RV Park
Deb H.
Grandview Campground
Robert A.
Intake 2 Campground
Recent Reviews near Bishop, CA
875 Reviews of 237 Bishop Campgrounds
Morgan D.
TravelerBrowns Owens River Campground
Great Sierra Getaway
Brown’s Owens River Campground is a great spot if you’re looking to spend a few days in the Eastern Sierra.
It’s hard to beat for fishing, birdwatching, or just relaxing and enjoying the scenery. The staff is friendly, the facilities are clean, and the river access is excellent.
The only downsides are that it can get pretty windy, and there’s very little shade, so it gets hot during the summer. Bring sunscreen and maybe a pop-up canopy if you have one.
Overall, it’s an easy place to recommend and one I’d happily stay at again.
- JJeff S.
GuideNew Shady Rest Campground
Simply wonderful
We had a wonderful week-long stay and wanted to give a special thank you to camp hosts Patty and Mike.
We originally reserved Site 86, but after arriving we found it was extremely uneven for our 25-foot Airstream. One side of the trailer was nearly 10 inches lower than the other. In our opinion, Site 86 is much better suited for tent camping or very small trailers.
Patty and Mike went above and beyond to help us find a more suitable site and get settled in. Their friendly attitude, local knowledge, and willingness to help turned what could have been a frustrating start into a great camping experience.
The campground is beautiful, well-maintained, and surrounded by tall pines. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and are very grateful for the outstanding support from Patty and Mike.
Thank you for making our visit such a memorable one!
- Janet R.Traveler
Horton Creek Campground — Alabama Hills
Beautiful campground
This campground has amazing views, vault toilets, potable water, trash bins, and a friendly camp host! I am still here.
Kelly C.GuideSequoia National Forest Hume Lake Campground
Awesome stay
Hume Lake Campground was a beautiful place to stay in the Sierra Nevada. The campground is surrounded by tall pines and has a peaceful mountain atmosphere that makes it easy to relax. The lake is just a short walk away and offers great views, especially in the morning and evening.
The campsites were well maintained and felt fairly private thanks to the trees. Temperatures were much cooler than down in the valley, which was a welcome change during the summer. Wildlife was active around the campground, and there were plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, and exploring the surrounding area.
Overall, Hume Lake is a great choice if you’re looking for a quiet mountain campground with easy lake access and beautiful scenery. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay an extra day.
Art C.TravelerSierra National Forest Rancheria Campground
Rancheria Sierra Camp
Overall great experience. Lots of tree coverage, with a beautiful lake just a walk away. If you want a more secluded area, I’d recommend getting a site closer to the 100’s area. Not a fan of how close our campsite at 79 was to another site. I felt guilty being outside past 10, with them going to sleep. There was no firewood for sale at the time we went ( early June ) and our campsite host was “off” for the duration of our stay which made getting a trailer out of our parking a bit difficult initially. We also found out they don’t allow amplifying speakers ( any speaker ) as we had a complaint made against us for having the music on. Which in our defense, in the morning when we played it, we didn’t believe it to be too loud. Other than a few hitches, it was an overall good experience, and I’d highly recommend it if you want a wooded camping experience!
- RRose B.Traveler
Esmeralda Market & RV
Amazing Campground Host
The campground is no longer managed by Esmeralda Market. They gave us the number for the campground host. Her name is Charlene. 760-920-0409. She will only be there during the summer. She met us at spot 20 & signed us in. No charge for the spot. If you want a shower it’s $15/person. The bathrooms were clean & the area was quiet. We stayed only one night. I would camp there again!
- AAshley T.Traveler
Glass Creek
Beautiful Campground in the Jefferson Pines
Private site on the edge of the campground border with a stream just below, across the stream it seems like there are maybe some rental properties but it’s still very private. The campground was not busy we stayed two nights right before Memorial Day weekend. The host was very kind and friendly we loved a donation but it was a free site with the for service I would come back here again a million times
- JJoe N.Scout
Mammoth Mountain RV Park & Campground
Muhhh
It's nothing to write home about. Construction going on next door is very noisy. Just basically an empty parking lot with trees around it. Hot tub and swimming pool are warm and cold.
Guide to Bishop
Camping spots near Bishop, California range from high-elevation alpine sites to desert terrain options. Located in the Owens Valley between the White Mountains and Eastern Sierra Nevada, Bishop area camping sits at elevations between 4,000-8,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between day and night. Seasonal campers should note that wind patterns can be significant, particularly in spring months when gusts frequently exceed 30 mph across open tableland areas.
What to do
Bouldering and climbing access: Pleasant Valley Pit Campground offers affordable access to popular climbing areas. "Great for meeting other climbers and super cheap, but be prepared for people driving around late at night, and a line to use the bathroom," notes M H. The area provides a base for climbers at only $5 per night.
High-altitude hiking options: From Big Pine Creek Campground, you can access spectacular alpine lakes. One camper shares: "The North Trail was incredible. We started late and only went to the first and second of seven alpine glacier lakes. The water is so emerald green, it's surreal." The trailhead starts directly from the campground for convenience.
Hot springs exploration: While staying at Keoughs Hot Springs and Campground, visitors can enjoy both developed and undeveloped hot springs. "We rode our bikes down the dirt road, looked for the overhead electrical lines and found some open hot springs. We had the place to ourselves and it was deep enough to sit in and get a good warm soak," reports one camper.
What campers like
Dark skies for stargazing: Grandview Campground at 8,000 feet elevation offers exceptional night viewing. "We slung up the hammock and fell asleep under the INSANE stars. Like the angels kicked over multiple bottles of glitter," writes Kiley S. The high elevation and distance from urban areas creates optimal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
Creek-side camping: Several campsites feature running water nearby. A McGee Creek visitor notes, "Spots closer to the creek create a nice white noise. Beautiful view of the mountains in the morning." The sound of flowing water helps mask other campground noise.
Winter access: Unlike many Sierra locations, Pleasant Valley Campground remains accessible year-round. "Went up and camped here for 3 nights before thanksgiving to snowboard. It was a great experience the campground was one of the most quite I've been in besides blm land... The temps dropped to about 19°F at night but the days there got up to around 65°F," reports Ben G.
What you should know
Mosquito populations: Be prepared for significant insect activity, especially near water. "This is a nice spot along the river if you're set up for dry camping. The sites are spacious and most of them are right along the river. It is for this reason the mosquitos are so out of hand," warns James about Pleasant Valley Campground.
High elevation effects: Camping at higher elevations requires acclimatization. A Grandview Campground visitor advises: "Remember, you will be at approximately 8000 feet above sea level and the air is thinner up here. Plan your activities accordingly."
Cell reception variations: Coverage can be sporadic but isn't entirely absent. At Volcanic Tableland BLM Dispersed Camping, "There is ok Verizon service, better ATT service, and T-Mobile alternated between roaming and no service," according to Laura M. Most campgrounds near town offer workable connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Bishop, CA?
What are the best campgrounds near Bishop, CA?
Bishop offers diverse camping options for all preferences. Forks Campground (Inyo) is perfectly situated along Bishop Creek with easy access to both north and south forks, clean facilities, and sites for both trailers and tents. Sabrina Campground provides a serene experience away from tourist crowds while still being moments from Lake Sabrina, North Lake, and a short drive to South Lake. For those seeking free camping, Volcanic Tableland BLM offers dispersed sites with stunning Sierra views and stargazing opportunities. Pleasant Valley Campground provides affordable camping ($2) with bathroom facilities and proximity to other attractions, while Willow Campground offers a beautiful creekside setting among aspens for those willing to compete for first-come, first-served spots.
What amenities are available at Bishop, CA campgrounds?
What amenities are available at Bishop, CA campgrounds?
Campground amenities vary widely around Bishop. For those seeking more comforts, Creekside RV Park offers waterfront sites along Bishop Creek with toilets, showers, a fish cleaning station, and WiFi. Horton Creek Campground provides basic amenities including tables, fire pits with grates, lantern hooks, and clean vault toilets, though there's limited shade. Many public campgrounds in the area offer vault toilets and fire rings but limited water access. For those needing showers, some campgrounds like Mountain Glen mention paid shower facilities at nearby resorts ($8 at Parcher's). Most campgrounds in the mountains feature picnic tables and fire rings, while dispersed camping areas typically have minimal to no amenities. Facilities generally improve at private campgrounds and RV parks compared to forest service and BLM sites.
Is tent camping available in Bishop, CA?
Is tent camping available in Bishop, CA?
Tent camping is widely available throughout the Bishop area. Mountain Glen Campground offers five tent-only sites hidden just off South Lake Road with Bishop Creek running nearby, providing easy access to John Muir Wilderness hiking and fishing. Sites 1 and 5 feature walk-in access and are surrounded by natural beauty. North Lake Campground is another excellent tent camping option in the mountains above Bishop, operating on a first-come, first-served basis with spacious sites and beautiful surroundings. The final approach involves a narrow mountain road, but many campers find the spectacular setting worth the drive. Throughout the Bishop area, you'll find numerous other options for tent camping at both developed campgrounds and dispersed locations.
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