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.
"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!"
"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."
$14 - $108 / night
"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."
"Very quiet night for sleeping with the sound of a creek running behind our camper."
$41 - $45 / night
"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 👍"
"They offer many pull through spots and the back-in ones are located along the permitter of the park. A nice green area for your kids or dogs to explore. They even have a small pond out front."
$5 / night
"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"
"Everytime I go to Bishop, I stay here!"
$27 - $32 / night
"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."
"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!"
$26 / night
"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."
"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."
"If you want hot springs with peace and quiet just walking out the entrance to the free pools. The pool in the campground also has a snack bar. Very friendly folks here."
"Camp sites are pretty close together but all places seem to be around here."
LegendI have camped here twice. It is a beautiful area and has a cool little trail through a meadow in the campground. It’s less crowded than the more popular campgrounds like Lodgepole. I love it because you can get to the Sequoia Park attractions easily and it’s also on the road to Kings Canyon and Hume lake.
GuideWe decided to come back to this spot for a second night because we loved it so much and loved the convenience of the hot springs. Stayed at this specific spot due to the snow and weight of our rig and did t want to get stuck. Camping with our truck and truck bed camper, have the generator going and no one can hear it. We plan to make this our regular spot every winter
GuideWe parked it there over night and for the better part of the next day to walk in and enjoy Crab Cooker hot springs. We were in a truck bed camper. Super quiet. Didn’t want to drive into the parking area by the hot spring due to the snow being too soft and getting stuck.
TravelerJust had to share my experience after spending six awesome nights at this campground last September! It’s a sweet spot for seasonal campers, mostly attracting fishermen and rock climbers who love their peace and quiet. There are eleven sites—ten right by the stream and one facing a large meadow, where you can still hear that stream trickling away. The vibe here is all about chilling out, and it mostly draws older folks who enjoy a laid-back atmosphere. Robert and Kathy are the camp hosts, and they’re super friendly. Even though they manage the campground next door, they pop by a couple of times a day to check in on everyone. Chatting with Robert is a treat; he’s a chill former cop from London! They’re both really accommodating, but they don’t put up with any loud music or partying. I really appreciate that since I’m there for the nature, not the noise. Overall, my stay was fantastic, and I can’t wait to go back! Just keep this little gem between us, okay?
RangerShepherd Hot Springs is a unique dispersed camping spot, but it was pretty busy when we visited. Because the hot springs are tucked into a relatively small area, campsites were packed closely together with a lot of vehicles and tents competing for space, which means, it was pretty noisy. That said, the view of the Sierra Nevada mountains is absolutely phenomenal. The dirt road in is bumpy, so a high-clearance vehicle is strongly advised. If you’re looking for solitude this might not be the place, but for mountain views and soaking in the hot springs, it’s a memorable stop.
TravelerQuiet and off the beaten path, this campground had a lot to offer for views. With the beautiful mono lake nestled underneath the Eastern Sierras, creates great views at dusk and dawn.
Road going into the campsite can be tricky, with soft sand and fallen trees in the way. I was able to get in with a 2WD car but be careful if you do not have off roading experience
GuideAs a 15 minute drive out of town this site is a gem. I can imagine the weekends and peak seasons are extremely busy but for a weekday in October we had the place to ourselves. The view one you got toward the back was stunning. The forest is extremely well maintained & fire rings are set up at many sites.
GuideVisited the Hot Springs in late October and was pleasantly surprised with the location, warm in the daytime and cool at night. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and views. The Hot Springs were delightful.
LegendBasic campground between the 2 national parks. Easy to get in and out of. Basic amenities in a great location!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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?
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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