1 campground with availability next weekend
Tent campsites near June Lake, California range from established Forest Service grounds to primitive dispersed sites throughout the surrounding Inyo National Forest. Scenic Loop and Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site offer free tent camping with minimal amenities, while Upper Deadman Campground provides more established tent sites within 20 minutes of June Lake. Most locations sit at elevations between 7,500-9,000 feet, with seasonal access typically limited to summer and early fall months.
Tent campers should prepare for primitive conditions at most sites. The majority of dispersed camping areas lack drinking water, established fire rings, and toilet facilities. Upper Deadman Campground offers vault toilets, picnic tables, and bear boxes, but no potable water or trash service. High clearance vehicles may be necessary to access more remote tent sites, particularly after rain or during spring snowmelt. Fire restrictions are common during summer and fall, with complete bans often implemented during peak fire season. Bear activity is prevalent throughout the region, requiring proper food storage in approved containers.
Areas farther from June Lake offer deeper seclusion and less noise, with Obsidian Meadows Dispersed and Mill Creek National Forest providing walk-in tent sites away from main roads. Most tent campgrounds feature tree cover for shade and proximity to creeks or alpine lakes. According to one visitor, "The creek was really cold so if you need drinking water you should bring some or bring a filter." Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for day hikes into the nearby Ansel Adams Wilderness or fishing excursions. Sites at higher elevations provide exceptional stargazing opportunities but require warmer sleeping gear as temperatures drop significantly at night, even during summer months.
"Came here after our first attempted location farther east on highway 120 ended up having A LOT of bees and flies."
"Along a National Forest Service Road are 4-5 pullouts with great views of Mono Lake and the adjacent small crater. You can walk up the crater or hike down to the South Tufa area. "
"No bathrooms, water, electricity, or fire rings. Pretty dispersed but close enough to downtown. Would go back!"
"GREAT SPOT. so so close to the mountain."
"The road is maintained but requires high clearance. There are many sites on the way in and then 5 or 6 once at obsidian meadows trail head."
"Nice off road trail with some scattered sites."
"There is no trash, no water & no reservations. The good: Plenty of beautiful trees and shade. The creek is lovely, and a wonderful place for the kids to play."
"Beautiful campsites with plenty of space. Best sites are right next to the creek. The only downside is the stench of the pit toilets."
"It's a long day hike to get to Garnet Lake from Agnew meadows but it's worth it for the incredible views in the Ansel Adams wilderness. Quiet and safe. I would definitely camp here agin."
"RANGER REVIEW: MOUNTAIN HOUSE BEEF STEW AT UPPER LYELL CANYON FOOTBRIDGE BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITE CAMPGROUND REVIEW: UPPER LYELL CANYON Backpackers Campground, Yosemite National Park, CA."
"Was coming from thousand island lake heading to tuolumne meadows. Found it by accident, was in a rush to find a spot before it got dark. Place was amazing."
"We went off season so the cabins were not set up but you can camp all around where the cabins would be. It was quiet, peaceful and ridiculously gorgeous!"
"No toilets or showers at this backpacking campground - but it’s the best! We usually see a few marmots and haven’t seen any bear activity in the 4+ times we’ve been there."
"nice shaded with creek sounds no restroom"
"This is a very cool spot the entrance is just south of Lundy Lake rd. on the 395, there's also a back way in on Lundy Lake rd. just past the first building."
"First I checked out the crab cooker campsite nearby and the road was ROUGH. The drive is definitely worth it if you plan to stay there without going back and forth into town."
"Parked overnight in the RV on the same road as the hotspring on a Wednesday night had no problems. 2 other vans were next to us"
"Tent cabins with basic sleeping set up and a nice spot to sit around a group fire. The ranger talks can be a little much but easy to sneak off and enjoy the quiet."
GuideThis place was packed on a Saturday in November! We ended up parked in the lot. No cell service for ATT. Would've been really nice if we had gotten an actual site. We saw there were tables and fire pits at the sites. We didnt use the bathrooms but they were there as well as a dumpster.
GuideGreat spot near the park entrance. Lots of spots kind of clustered together and other people camping. Zero AT&T reception.
GuideNice campground along the way to Lundy Lake. 30+ spots some larger and more spread out than others. No cell signal. Pay attention drop box. $16
ScoutScenic overlook of Mono Lake not far off hwy 395, but very quiet and peaceful. Can be very windy though.
ScoutThe Perfect Combination of Camping and Convenience! I'm 69 years old and an avid tent camper, but I absolutely loved staying at Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite! We kept things incredibly simple. We literally brought one ice chest and a plug-in coffee pot! With electrical outlets in both the kitchen and sleeping areas, we had everything we needed to make coffee in the morning and put together picnic lunches for our adventures. For those who enjoy preparing their own meals, Housekeeping Camp is well set up for that, too! There's a dedicated cooking area with a counter for food preparation and a picnic table for dining. You can easily bring your camp stove, cooking utensils, and supplies and enjoy cooking all your meals right at your campsite. We enjoyed breakfast and dinner at the various restaurants in Yosemite Valley, which meant we could devote our days entirely to hiking, sightseeing, and enjoying the beauty of Yosemite rather than worrying about cooking and cleaning up. In the evenings, we relaxed around a wonderful campfire. For someone who genuinely loves tent camping, Housekeeping Camp offered the best of both worlds. We still had that wonderful feeling of being outdoors and camping, but without all the work of setting up and taking down a campsite. Now, let's be clear: This is definitely not glamping! There is dirt, and the accommodations are rustic. But frankly, there's a lot less dirt and hassle than traditional tent camping! The key is simply having the right expectations. If you're looking for luxury, this probably isn't your place. But if you love the outdoors, want to spend your time exploring Yosemite, and appreciate the simplicity of camping without all the work, Housekeeping Camp is a fantastic option. I would absolutely stay here again!
GuidePicnic area that doubles as an RV only campground. Was going to stay elsewhere but it was super windy so opted to stay here. Happy this was an option. Beautiful spot. Walking trails right along the creek. Quiet at night. Only rig in early November. Little to no cell signal.
GuideThere is so many spots back here! We stayed a bit closer to 395 and it was easy to navigate with a 26’ RV. We had initially looked for a spot on the Mammoth side of the highway but found this dirt roads more level and open for the RV. Lovely minus some sort of small critter kept waking me up in the night.
TravelerThe 0.5 mile gravel road has washboards and potholes but it’s short and offers at least a handful of pullouts for flat parking/camping. There’s nothing around except high desert views of the mountains and nearby hot springs. The signs indicate a 14-day camping limit.
TravelerClean, flat spaces, close to town. Hot showers available for $2. Tent spot was $40 or $45 with RV water and electricity hookup.
Tent camping near June Lake, California typically requires preparation for variable night temperatures, even in summer months. Most dispersed sites sit between 7,500-9,000 feet where temperature swings of 30°F between day and night aren't uncommon. While established campgrounds provide some amenities, many dispersed camping areas require complete self-sufficiency with limited or no cell service depending on exact location.
Explore Mono Lake: Just north of June Lake, visitors can camp at Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site and explore the unusual tufa formations. "You can walk up the crater or hike down to the South Tufa area," notes Gustav H., who also mentions the "great views of Mono Lake and the adjacent small crater."
Hike backcountry trails: For experienced hikers seeking tent camping near June Lake, Upper Lyell Canyon Footbridge Backcountry Campsite offers access to multiple wilderness trails. Jesus R. reports, "Perfect to watch a sunset, it overlooks the valley," making it worth the challenging hike in.
Hot springs soaking: When tent camping in the June Lake area, visitors can access natural hot springs at nearby locations. "Parked overnight in the RV on the same road as the hotspring on a Wednesday night had no problems," reports one camper about The Rock Tub Hot Springs area, which offers free camping with hot springs access.
Privacy and space: At Scenic Loop, campers appreciate the dispersed nature of sites. "There are over 100 campsites along this road all first come first serve. The PCT comes through this section of mammoth so there are, and I'm not kidding, hundreds upon hundreds of campsites," writes Taylor.
Creek access: Many tent campers value water access at Mill Creek National Forest sites. DJ M. notes the "cool water, a nice breeze in the evening, water sounds day and night. Quiet." Another camper, Matthew A., appreciates the "calming creek noise."
Wildlife viewing: Backcountry campsites around June Lake offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, Lindsay R. shares, "We usually see a few marmots and haven't seen any bear activity in the 4+ times we've been there."
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas require careful driving. At Obsidian Meadows Dispersed, Adrian J. notes, "The road is maintained but requires high clearance. There are many sites on the way in and then 5 or 6 once at obsidian meadows trail head."
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies widely across the June Lake camping areas. Gustav H. reports "Good Verizon service (4G/LTS, 4 bars)" at Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site, while other backcountry areas have limited or no service.
Wind conditions: The open terrain can experience significant wind. Emma describes Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site as "pretty windy when we went but still a lovely spot. Very close to the highway so we were alone but could still hear some traffic - still got pretty quiet though."
Creek play areas: Upper Deadman Campground provides safe water play areas for kids. Amy B. notes, "The creek is lovely, and a wonderful place for the kids to play. There are some fish, but hard to catch."
Site spacing: Some campgrounds have closely packed sites, affecting privacy. Amy B. warns that at Upper Deadman Campground, "the sites are really close together," though this is balanced by "plenty of beautiful trees and shade."
Toilet facilities: When tent camping with families near June Lake, bathroom options vary widely. Paul N. notes about Upper Deadman Campground, "The only downside is the stench of the pit toilets," while most dispersed sites have no facilities whatsoever.
Turnaround space: Large vehicles face challenges at some June Lake camping areas. Chris V. warns 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."
Surface conditions: Road materials change unexpectedly in some areas. "Surface changes to sand half a mile from the springs, would be a risk for heavy vehicles when wet," continues Chris V. about Scenic Loop area roads.
Accessibility for small vehicles: Not all sites require high clearance vehicles. Emma notes about Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site, "The ground is pretty shifty but still good access for any kind of car."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near June Lake, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near June Lake, CA is Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site with a 4.8-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near June Lake, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 63 tent camping locations near June Lake, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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