V
Valeria A.
Scout
ScoutCrowley Lake Campground — Alabama Hills
Last minute stay
Neeeded a spot for a last minute sleep and this spot saved us. It has clean bathrooms, fire ring own picnic table and even includes bear storage. I loved this spot.
Camping near Bishop, CA
238 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
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 (238)
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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Drive Time
- 4 hrs 36 min from Visalia, CA
- 4 hrs 44 min from Hanford, CA
- 5 hrs 6 min from Fresno, CA
- 5 hrs 49 min from Merced, CA
Recent Camping Photos near Bishop, CA
287 Photos of 238 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
Krista R.
Grandview Campground
Robert A.
Intake 2 Campground
Recent Reviews near Bishop, CA
890 Reviews of 238 Bishop Campgrounds
Beverley G.
GuideSawmill cut off
not accessible at the moment
I camped here in 2024 and it was a good location, apart from several off-road vehicles driving nearby especially on weekends. However this summer it's blocked off, with signs saying there's logging in process. Last tried to camp there 11 July and still no access.
Emily S.
TravelerMono Lake South Dispersed
Spacious and nice view but lots of bees
We tried to camp here but after getting set up the bees descended upon us. They didn't seem aggressive but were bothersome enough that we decided to go to another spot off highway 120 a few miles west. Spots were flat, spacious, and well spaced. Nice view of the lake through the pines. There are two roads from 120 to this site. The eastern road is 4WD only, soft sand and gravel surface. The western road is drivable by pretty much anything.
- AAlbert M.Scout
Poleta OHV Upper Staging Area
Quick stop
Great location in Bishop California. Very secluded area and beautiful sunset… Port-o-Johns were very clean. We were passing through Bishop California and needed a spot that was fairly close to the main road, and there wasn’t very busy.
Fa B.GuideBLM Road to Hot Springs
No words
One gorgeous site after the other, some rv accessible, some up the hills def not.
You have to get there early and, ideally, during the week if you want the best spots.
Lots of wildlife sightings and it is so quiet.
Pamela H.ScoutSilver Lake Campground at June Lake
Best views in the area.
Although this campground is located in the midst of so much dramatic beauty, few campgrounds capture that beauty like this one. While sitting in your campsite, you can see majestic mountains and a very quiet. It is located across from horse stables if you like that and near a little store. Fishing appears to be the popular activity here although we are not fisher persons. It is a great base camp to all of the June Lake and Mammoth region
Stacey H.TravelerInyo / Lower Grays Meadow Campground
Beautiful but run down
We stayed in the lower campground, site 51 fit our 21' trailer and truck (Tundra crew cab). Most of the sites are shaded with old growth oak and pine trees. Independence Creek was flowing really good. Water was cool and there are rainbows. The only bathroom is at the entrance. There are several water spickets, with buckets to use on fire rings. Really enjoyed our stay and would come again. At $34 night wish the FS or ? would spend that on site improvements.
- CCourtney P.Guide
June Lake RV Park
the location is good
June lake is gorgeous and the town is a true mountain town. It is much quieter than mammoth, and everything is much easier to access. This campground is within walking distance of everything you need. Boat rentals, fishing, hiking trails, general store, brewery, ice cream shop, and great cycling routes. Customer service was absolutely top notch, some of the friendliest camp hosts we’ve ever come across. Everyone we interacted with was so friendly and helpful, made the experience even better. The campground itself is pretty lackluster, kind of felt like parking in a field. We were very close to our neighbors, spots are tight, and no great views.
Lee D.
LegendConvict Lake Campground
Basic Forest Service campground with nearby amenities
General: 88-site Forest Service campground. Only the host/manager site has hookups. Site Quality: All driveways are paved; some are longer than others. Each site has a tent pad, picnic table, bear box, and fire pit. Some are very close to each other (75& 76, 85& 86) while others have more space between them. No hookups. Two best sites IMO are#2 and#88
Bath/Shower: Vault toilets only, but across the street at the resort, there are flush toilets, showers (need tokens;$3 for 3 minutes,$5 for 6), and laundry ($6.50 per load, wash and dry, but the washers are SMALL)
Activities: Easy direct access to Convict Lake. Hike around the lake is three miles. In season, there is a boat launch, and you can rent pontoon boats and kayaks. Fishing is big here. At the resort, there is also a food truck that serves breakfast and lunch, and an upscale but casual restaurant, and the food is very good.
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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