Dispersed camping near Devils Postpile National Monument offers remote wilderness camping at 7,500-8,500 feet elevation in the eastern Sierra Nevada. Forest service lands surrounding the monument permit free camping along several forest roads, with overnight temperatures that can drop below freezing even in summer months. Several established campgrounds maintain strict bear management protocols with specially designed food storage lockers at each site.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Silver Lake Campground at June Lake, fishing is a primary activity with shoreline access. "Great area for fishing and boating. At the time of the year I go not very crowded. I expect that is different at other times," notes MarinMaverick.
Hiking to alpine lakes: From Coldwater Campground, hikers can access multiple high-elevation lakes. "We ran to Arrowhead Lake which was beautiful! Walkers and runners will both enjoy this trail," reports Stormy G., while Patsy R. adds "Lots of trails in every direction from easy paved to more rugged terrain in the mountains. Tons of lakes to kayak."
Mountain wildlife observation: Multiple campgrounds offer wildlife viewing opportunities within camp boundaries. At Oh Ridge Campground, campers frequently encounter deer. "We got to see many deer up close. Came to our site to eat," writes Corey M., while Hannah L. notes at June Lake Campground, "Saw a doe and two babies run through the site every morning."
Fall color photography: The eastern Sierra region transforms with autumn colors typically from late September through October. "The fall colors along the June Lake loop are not to be missed," recommends MarinMaverick, making Silver Lake Campground an ideal base for photographers during this period.
What campers like
Mountain lake access: June Lake Campground provides direct lake access. "Most of the sites here are literally on June Lake. So watching the lake in the evening and morning is a real treat," says MarinMaverick. Similarly, at Twin Lakes Campground, "The campground is right on the lake for great views and incredible sunsets and rises," according to Mary C.
Dark night skies: The remote location away from city lights creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Stars! Amazing star gazing! Hiked up a rock face and laid out for hours watching the stars," reports Savannah L. at Silver Lake. Campers at Scenic Loop Dispersed Camping note "nights are dark. Great starscapes," according to Troy H.
Creekside sites: Several campgrounds feature sites adjacent to flowing water. At Sherwin Creek, "a cute Creek, Sherwin Creek, runs past the whole camp. You can hear it all night, which my husband and I liked," shares Ashley C. Similarly, Coldwater Campground offers "sites right next to the creek which made for a very peaceful & serene stay," according to Patsy R.
Less crowded options: For those seeking quieter alternatives to the popular lakes-area campgrounds, some options exist. "We decided to camp further away from the lake (towards the back of the campground), as there were less people and it was more quiet and secluded," advises Rosie R. about Twin Lakes Campground.
What you should know
Bear activity: Bears regularly visit campgrounds in this region. At Mammoth Mountain RV Park & Campground, "The camp host was friendly would come by and notify us if there were any bear sightings nearby," reports Jimmy B., while Christina R. cautions, "Make sure to use the bear box as we had a bear come into our camp the last night."
Temperature fluctuations: The high elevation creates dramatic day-to-night temperature swings. "The nights got down to the mid 20's days were mid 60's," notes Patsy R. about Coldwater Campground. Jonathan G. advises, "Remember that you're at elevation so it can get cold at night even in the summer."
Limited availability: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer months. Candice M. shares about Oh Ridge Campground, "The site is popular so I wasn't able to book a spot last year," while Kathleen C. recommends arriving "without reservation at the campgrounds near Lake Mary and Lake George" and driving around to find sites.
Facility variations: Amenities vary substantially between locations. Sherwin Creek features "vault toilets and no showers," while Twin Lakes Campground offers "flushing toilets and running sinks." For dispersed camping on Scenic Loop, "No bathrooms, water, electricity, or fire rings," according to Megan S.
Tips for camping with families
Protected swim areas: Convict Lake Campground offers family-friendly swimming options. "June Lake swimming area is nestled in the camp. There are kayaks and paddle boards to rent and the sun and scenery is incredible," explains Ryan W., while Vanessa H. adds, "You can find some quiet spots around the lake to relax, read, and soak up the sun."
Wildlife education: Turn wildlife encounters into learning opportunities. "We saw a doe and two babies run through the site every morning," notes Hannah L. at June Lake. Similarly, Sallie H. mentions the "abundance of recreational activities" at Twin Lakes including observing the local wildlife.
Tent site selection: When camping with children, location within the campground matters. Kathleen C. recommends Coldwater Campground since "the sites had plenty of room. Site 24 was near the stream with lots of flat areas to pitch tents," while Erin M. advises at Mammoth Mountain RV Park to "choose to camp under the shade of the pines on a dirt pad or in the clean, parking lot style section."
Off-season advantages: For families with scheduling flexibility, consider shoulder seasons. "I like this campground because it's a little ways away from the crowds of the lakes campgrounds and the sites are not packed together like a parking lot," notes Dennis H. about Sherwin Creek Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site configurations: At Sherwin Creek, "This campground is for tents, trailers and rv's. There are no hookups here, but spots have fire pits and tables," advises Rob L. Alivia M. warns about Convict Lake that "The sites are fairly cramped and can be very close together. The pads are narrow. There is no hookups."
Generator restrictions: Campgrounds have varying policies regarding generator usage. Ricky S. notes that Sherwin Creek is an "RV friendly campground, easily accessible. Very nice sites with dense forest," but check restrictions as some campgrounds prohibit generators entirely or limit hours.
Dump station access: Plan for dumping needs before arrival. Leonard H. mentions Convict Lake has "paved 2.5 mile road from 395 to campground and paved roads in campground/sites good condition. Approx. 1/2 sites close to level for 24' RV," and notes the availability of "clean flush toilets." At Mammoth Mountain RV Park, Patrick J. warns, "Upon leaving, the access road is totally blocked by vehicles lined up for the dump station. If you want to avoid this, leave early."
Terrain navigation: For larger RVs, not all dispersed camping areas are suitable. Chris V. cautions about Scenic Loop, "this site has limited turnarounds and would be challenging for motor homes over 24 feet and or trailers. Road is doable with a car but the grade sucks."
