Best Campgrounds near Lee Vining, CA

Lee Vining, California serves as a gateway to camping opportunities in the Eastern Sierra region, with both established campgrounds and dispersed sites available. Campgrounds like Lower Lee Vining and Lundy Canyon offer tent and RV camping with creek access, while Mono Lake South Dispersed provides free primitive camping options. The area includes National Forest lands and sites near Mono Lake, a significant natural landmark. Most campgrounds in the region maintain basic amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, though facilities vary significantly between developed and dispersed areas.

Camping around Lee Vining operates seasonally, with most established campgrounds open from late April through October or November. Summer brings warm days while nights remain cool due to the high elevation (7,000+ feet). Many campgrounds require advance reservations during peak season, particularly those with water access or proximity to Yosemite National Park. Winter snow closes Tioga Pass and limits camping options. Bear activity is common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage in provided bear boxes at established sites. As one camper noted, "Bears are very active. One camper had their car window broken and door frame bent because they had left something in the front seat."

The Eastern Sierra landscape provides camping experiences characterized by alpine lakes, mountain views, and access to fishing opportunities. Lee Vining Creek runs through several campgrounds, creating peaceful sound backgrounds and fishing access. Proximity to Mono Lake allows for unique sunrise and sunset viewing opportunities from nearby campsites. Campers consistently mention the stargazing opportunities and night sky visibility as highlights of the region. Several reviewers praise the seclusion of sites away from town while maintaining reasonable access to supplies. A visitor to Aspen Campground described it as "peaceful, lots of trees and wildlife. Clean, nice tables and fire pits. Great place to hang out before or after Yosemite." Cell service can be limited or non-existent at most campgrounds, though signals are available in Lee Vining town for those needing connectivity.

Best Camping Sites Near Lee Vining, California (298)

    1. June Lake Campground

    26 Reviews
    June Lake, CA
    12 miles
    Website

    $32 / night

    "We really enjoyed June Lake Campground! Stayed there for one night on our way out of Yosemite. The drive around the lake is beautiful and there are multiple camping areas."

    "We were really tucked away from neighbors and were very close to the lake and bathrooms. We went in August and it was perfect weather, warm days and cool nights."

    2. Inyo National Forest Oh Ridge Campground

    24 Reviews
    June Lake, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 648-7744

    $38 / night

    ", Easy access to purchasable firewood, Bear Boxes at every site, well kept bathrooms with flush toilets and sinks, wind guards at some sites, near a lake, amazing starry night sky, general store nearby"

    "Best view of June lake. We loved the beach (a walk away from our site)"

    3. Mono Lake South Dispersed

    16 Reviews
    Lee Vining, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 873-2400

    "We stayed here for a single night while on a road trip, the drive in along CA-120 was beautiful."

    "Nice view of Mono Lake and Mountains, lots of shady spots under pines, main entry road hard pack gravel, soft sand gravel mix off road. Mostly sloped some level spots."

    4. Lundy Canyon Campground

    15 Reviews
    Mono City, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 932-5440

    $16 / night

    "Three major accidents put us way behind schedule on our way to find a site at Yosemite, Tioga Pass, and June Lake. Fortunately, I still prefer guidebooks and was able to find this site."

    "Quite ,  little creek running through,  aspens all around,  high desert across the street amazing hikes lakes and beaver dams!  "

    5. Tuolumne Meadows Campground — Yosemite National Park

    28 Reviews
    Lee Vining, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 372-4025

    $36 - $75 / night

    "This campground is located outside of Yosemite Valley, so it has less of the “Disneyland of the Sierra” feel—more serene and fewer people and buses."

    "From the East entrance of the park your still about 1.5 hours away from the campsite."

    6. Aspen Campground

    10 Reviews
    Lee Vining, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 647-3045

    $14 - $19 / night

    "There's water available at the entrance of the campground across the meadow so get it on your way in."

    "this is off of highway 120 by Lee Vining. has about 57 sites with lots of space. Only services are porta potty and one faucet for water."

    7. Silver Lake Campground at June Lake

    15 Reviews
    June Lake, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 934-5795

    $32 - $64 / night

    "This was a good staging site to go up and down the June Lake Loop for the colors.  I am a tent camper and at this time of the year it is COLD.  Most of the folks were in RVs. "

    "The nearby lake was beautiful, especially in early morning, and it provided an entry and exit point to the quieter side of the CA wilderness, such as Ansel Adams Wilderness (for when you don't want to"