Best Campgrounds near Mammoth Lakes, CA

The Mammoth Lakes region in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains provides multiple camping areas ranging from developed campgrounds to dispersed options on public lands. Established sites include Coldwater Campground with 77 sites at over 9,000 feet elevation, Twin Lakes Campground near the scenic lakes of the same name, and Convict Lake Campground. For those seeking free camping, several dispersed areas exist along Scenic Loop both on the main section and the Eastside area. Accommodation types span tent camping, RV sites with varying hookup availability, and even cabin rentals at Mammoth Mountain RV Park & Campground.

Camping in the Mammoth Lakes area is predominantly seasonal, with most developed campgrounds operating from late April through October. Weather conditions change dramatically even during summer months, with daytime temperatures dropping significantly at night. Many campgrounds feature bear boxes at each site due to active bear populations throughout the region. Several campgrounds provide flush toilets and drinking water, though shower facilities are limited and sometimes available for a fee. "Even during hot summer months, it gets chilly at night. August 6, it was 50 degrees at night. A 40 degree dip from the cloudless daytime temps," noted one visitor describing the alpine climate conditions.

Campers consistently praise the natural beauty and recreational access available from Mammoth Lakes campgrounds. The proximity to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and mountain biking routes makes these campground options popular despite their sometimes basic amenities. Several campgrounds are situated near creeks or lakes, providing pleasant ambient sounds and scenic views. A visitor remarked about Sherwin Creek Campground: "It is secluded, and you would never know that you are 5 mins. away from a Vons or all the hubbub of the town." Wildlife encounters are common throughout the area, with bears, deer, and smaller mammals frequently spotted near campgrounds. Most developed campground options fill quickly during peak summer season, particularly on weekends, making advance reservations highly recommended for those requiring specific amenities or locations.

Best Camping Sites Near Mammoth Lakes, California (349)

    1. Mammoth Mountain RV Park & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Mammoth Lakes, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 934-3822

    $35 - $80 / night

    "Walking distance to town. Great walking paths. Choose to camp under the shade of the pines on a dirt pad or in the clean, parking lot style section.

    This place never lets us down."

    "This was during the California wildfires. I would recommend this RV park/campground they have ample space for both. Every site has a bear box."

    2. Convict Lake Campground

    18 Reviews
    Mammoth Lakes, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 924-5771

    $35 / night

    "We usually stay in the Mammoth Lakes area but changed it up and we are so happy we did. The tent sites are small with little to no shade but the beauty of Convict Lake was worth it."

    "It’s just a short drive from the highway and Mammoth Airport. The campground is very popular with a mix of reserved and non reserved sites."

    3. June Lake Campground

    26 Reviews
    June Lake, CA
    13 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."

    4. Coldwater Campground

    13 Reviews
    Mammoth Lakes, CA
    3 miles

    $33 / night

    "A big campground in Mammoth Lakes, with 77 sites in total. It can be a pretty popular sport during the summer, so you may want to make reservations or call ahead just to make sure."

    "CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Coldwater Campground, Mammoth Lakes, CA

    A beautiful 77 site campground nestled in at over 9,000 ft in the Inyo National Forest of the Eastern Sierras."

    5. Twin Lakes Campground

    13 Reviews
    Mammoth Lakes, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 934-5795

    $34 / night

    "Twin lakes is Located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains near the town of Mammoth Lakes, California. Upper and lower twin lakes are a fantasic place to set up base camp and explore the sierras."

    "Twin Lakes and all of the surrounding Mammoth area is gorgeous. You'll have plenty of hikes to choose from, go fishing, or hit the slopes (biking during the summer and snowsports in the winter)."

    6. Sherwin Creek

    12 Reviews
    Mammoth Lakes, CA
    1 mile
    Website

    $32 / night

    "This campground is just outside the main part of Mammoth Lakes, CA. You have to go on a paved then gravel road to get there."

    "Every August my family and friends meet at Sherwin Creek Campground around the time of the Perseids meteor shower."

    7. Inyo National Forest Oh Ridge Campground

    24 Reviews
    June Lake, CA
    14 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)"

    8. Scenic Loop - Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Mammoth Lakes, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 924-5500

    "GREAT SPOT. so so close to the mountain."

    "Super close to the town of Mammoth too."

    9. Scenic Loop Dispersed Camping - Eastside

    9 Reviews
    Mammoth Lakes, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 924-5500

    "Multiple locations near by not listed. It gets a bit dusty and windy. Lots of off road vehicles.

    All the camper vans rolled in after dark and it filled up quick."

    "Easy access to all vehicles except some areas that may need a little higher clearance. Nicely secluded but not many great open views in the area since it is in the Forrest among the trees."

    10. Crab Cooker Hotsprings - Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Inyo National Forest, CA
    9 miles
    Website

    "Views on the other are rolling fields / foothills with lots of cutie vocal Moo Moos and Alkali Lake! You can see other hot springs in the distance. No shade. Lots of flies and red ants."

    "Needless to say we had the hot springs to ourselves the majority of the trip, parking at the edge of the dirt road with only one other car in sight , which I was told was super lucky."

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Recent Reviews near Mammoth Lakes, CA

1486 Reviews of 349 Mammoth Lakes Campgrounds


  • J
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Camp Edison

    Most beautifull place

    This campground was the most beautifull place I have ever seen of all my trips around the world! During our stay we were almost alone at our campsite area. The friendly ladies at the entrance gave us the perfect site very close to the lake - thanks for that!

  • Bob N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Crane Flat Campground

    Yosemite

    Nice campsite, nowhere near level. Open sky, big trees, close to your neighbors, but quiet.

  • LAUREN H.
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Recreation Point Group Campground

    Amazing campsite with great access to the lake!

    It’s still our favorite spot on the lake for my weekends and the hosts are wonderful. These are group sites, and honestly, I think they’re the best on the entire lake. You get easy beachfront access and a great base for visiting Oakhurst or exploring the area.

    geometry dash lite

  • Victoria S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Buckeye Campground

    Great spot!

    You can get there on 2WD, it’s a bit bumpy though. Don’t go all the way up, there’s fees at the reserved spots. There’s dispersed camping shortly after you pass the hot springs, there’s a small field where people park and if you go to the road on the side of the lot it’ll take you to more spots to camp in the trees.

    The smoke was so bad I had to leave early. Be sure to check for fires nearby.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site

    Awesome site

    Hung iut here for a few weeks. Awesome views. Quiet with only occasional road noise. Conveniences (gas, groceries, dump station, restaurant, etc.) within 10 miles. Excellent Verizon signal (for data).

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Mono Lake South Dispersed

    Magical place!

    Easy to drive in but don’t pass that sign that says “4 wheeled only” with an RV. We have a 24ft and had a perfectly leveled spot underneath a large tree. You can see the lake from there. We took a bicycle ride in to the “south Tufa” which is only 2 miles away. Watched the sunset there, magical!

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Virginia Lake Rd. Boondocking

    So beautiful

    It was just so nice, I don’t know if it was dispersed camping cause the location takes you to Virginia creek and there is a long road with lots of space like it’s a legit campground but no one there to check and no signs that you had to pay. I went there on Labor Day weekend so it was busy everywhere, this place had a ton of spots open though. No one bothered us. Each spot had a bear food containers and access to a little creek. So you heard water running while you go to sleep. Loved it so much so peaceful.

  • Soggy Bottoms Camper G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lake George Campground

    Love Lake George!

    Lake George was the perfect camp spot for our 4 night stay. It is first come first serve. We stayed in site 14 - the mountain side or tree side is better because it’s not windy at all! All the spots with lake view are very windy and it can be cold even in the summer! The bathrooms are super clean and have real toilets. No showers though! There is lots to do in the area and Lake George isn’t nearly as busy as Lake Mary/ Pine City camp. Although there is day use areas and it can be busy with fishing. Lots of wildlife in the area, so use the Bear box and keep food in containers. Even the chipmunks, birds, and mice will get into your stuff. I saw chipmunks trying to break into tents. This site is small RV/Trailer friendly - we stayed in our truck camper. This is NOT for big rigs or class A RVs. Also no hookups but they have a water spyket. Beware of elevation if you are not used to it - it’s at a whopping 9,250 feet and I was sick for 2 days. It’s $34 a night and quiet hours are 10pm-6am. Generators are aloud just not during quiet hours. Bring your paddle board or kayak and hit the water! It’s so beautiful here.

  • S
    Sep. 1, 2025

    High Sierra RV Park

    Very nice host. Informative, caring

    Nice shot in the middle of town. Easy walk to all u need. Great cell service. Beautiful views of river. Clean


Guide to Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Lakes camping offers diverse options at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet, with nighttime temperatures often dropping 30-40 degrees below daytime highs even in summer. The area's volcanic origins create unique geological features surrounding the campsites, with obsidian deposits, hot springs, and ancient lava flows accessible from many campgrounds. Forest Service restrictions on campfires vary seasonally based on fire danger levels.

What to do

Hiking to alpine lakes: From Coldwater Campground, take the trail to Duck Pass for spectacular mountain views. "Lots of trails in every direction from easy paved to more rugged terrain in the mountains. Tons of lakes to kayak," notes Patsy R. The Meadows trail offers "beautiful scenery and rivers" according to Hannah V.

Hot springs exploration: The Crab Cooker Hotsprings area provides natural thermal soaking opportunities. "The crab cooker hot spring was a little confusing to find. Once you find it... it's TINY. 3 people comfortably. And HOT HOT HOTTTT!" reports Rachel W. For alternatives, Tucker B. suggests: "I went down and could barely leave my fingers in for much more than five seconds... so I moved on over to Shepherd's Hot Spring just over the hill!"

Fishing at multiple lakes: June Lake has excellent fishing opportunities. Athena C. calls it the "Best fishing campground" with "the store and dock right in the campground." At Convict Lake, visitors report "great fishing in the creek- it is stocked" and note you can "find some quiet spots around the lake to relax, read, and soak up the sun if you aren't into fishing."

What campers like

Easy town access: Sherwin Creek offers seclusion while being minutes from amenities. Ashley C. explains, "This campground is just outside the main part of Mammoth Lakes, CA. It is secluded, and you would never know that you are 5 mins. away from a Vons or all the hubbub of the town." For dispersed camping with town access, Ciara W. notes Scenic Loop is "10 minutes from town. About 25 minutes the famous mobil gas station."

Creek-side sites: Many campers value water proximity. At Sherwin Creek, Dennis H. mentions, "There's a nice little creek that runs along the edge" while Bob M. found Coldwater Campground has "quite a few near the creeks on either side of the campground." Paige G. specifically recommends site 16 at Coldwater, which is "super close to water, restrooms, and both Mammoth Creek and Coldwater Creek."

Wildlife viewing: Oh Ridge Campground offers frequent animal sightings. "We got to see many deer up close. Came to our site to eat," shares Corey M. Near Crab Cooker Hotsprings, campers encounter "friendly cows who came to say hello and decided to hang out," while at Twin Lakes, visitors report seeing "squirrels, ducks, deer, and even bears."

What you should know

Weather variability: Mountain elevations create significant temperature swings. At June Lake Campground, MarinMaverick advises, "Like to camp here in late October early November... Be warned it is COLD at night." Jonathan G. reinforces this: "Remember that you're at elevation so it can get cold at night even in the summer."

Bear presence: Active wildlife requires proper food storage. Fay M. observed at Mammoth Mountain RV Park that "it was long enough to see a bear cross the road. This is definitely a spot where they aren't kidding about locking up your food." At Twin Lakes Campground, campers warn to "Keep your food in the bear lockers, they have daily visitors late in the evening and throughout the night."

Campsite privacy variations: Site selection matters at campsites mammoth. Beverly W. notes Mammoth Mountain RV Park's upper area "is nothing more than a paved parking lot with allocated space." For more privacy, Hannah L. found at June Lake "a smaller campsite that butted right up against another campsite, but most other sites seemed more private."

Tips for camping with families

Look for adjacent recreation: Convict Lake Campground provides diverse family activities. Lorrie explains it offers "great fishing, swimming, boating paddle boards" while Vanessa H. advises "You can find some quiet spots around the lake to relax, read, and soak up the sun if you aren't into fishing."

Seek shaded sites: For comfort with children, prioritize tree cover. Christina R. from Mammoth Mountain RV Park notes "When tent camping, you're under beautiful trees which I love!" At Scenic Loop Dispersed Camping, visitors recommend sites "among trees" though Robert H. cautions about "a lot of airborne dirt when dirtbikes, and ATV's are active on weekends."

Consider campground facilities: Bathroom access matters with kids. Kathleen C. found Coldwater Campground "sites had plenty of room. Site 24 was near the stream with lots of flat areas to pitch tents, bear locker, fire pit and picnic table." For developed camping, Kevin notes Oh Ridge has "territorial views and allowed for some privacy" while being "surrounded by wonderful mountains and there is a lake down below."

Tips from RVers

Site selection priorities: At Mammoth Mountain RV Park & Campground, Patrick J. advises: "We were under the trees this time instead of on the asphalt parking lot slab. All dirt, dirt back in site, dirt camp site accessed by a dirt road. Expect lots of dust." Jessica L. adds: "Choose to camp under the shade of the pines on a dirt pad or in the clean, parking lot style section."

Hookup limitations: Many Mammoth Lakes campsites have basic or no hookups. Jaime R. recommends the "large spaces that have electricity and water only" at Mammoth Mountain RV Park, noting they're "very quiet and nice." At most Forest Service campgrounds, no hookups are available, though many accommodate RVs up to certain lengths.

Dump station access: Plan ahead for waste disposal. 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." Several campgrounds including Twin Lakes and June Lake offer dump stations, though some require fees for use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in Mammoth Lakes?

Mammoth Lakes offers several excellent campgrounds for different preferences. Coldwater Campground stands out with 77 spacious sites nestled at 9,000 ft elevation in the Inyo National Forest. It's less crowded than other nearby options while providing modern restrooms and a peaceful atmosphere. Lake Mary Campground is another top choice, located just 2.5 miles from Mammoth Lakes village with convenient amenities including two small stores/marinas. For those seeking stunning views, Twin Lakes Campground offers beautiful lake vistas and a giant waterfall within walking distance of all sites, though it can get crowded during peak season.

Where can I find a map of Mammoth Lakes campgrounds?

You can find maps of Mammoth Lakes campgrounds through several resources. The Inyo National Forest visitor centers provide detailed maps showing the locations of Old Shady Rest Campground, Agnew Meadows Group Camp, and other nearby sites. Online resources include the USFS website (www.fs.usda.gov/inyo) which offers downloadable PDF maps of the area. The Mammoth Lakes Tourism office in town also provides free printed maps of local campgrounds. Mobile apps like The Dyrt can display interactive maps showing campground locations, amenities, and reviews. For dispersed camping areas, check with the Mammoth Lakes Ranger Station for specialized maps of permitted locations.

Do I need reservations for camping in Mammoth Lakes?

Reservations are highly recommended for camping in Mammoth Lakes, especially during the summer high season. McGee Creek campground can provide a backup option when other sites reach capacity, but it's still wise to book ahead. For more flexibility, Glass Creek offers first-come, first-served sites, though they fill quickly during weekends and holidays. Most Forest Service campgrounds in the area accept reservations through Recreation.gov up to six months in advance. If you're arriving without reservations, your best strategy is to arrive mid-week and early in the day. During off-peak seasons (late fall through early spring), reservations are less crucial but still recommended for weekend stays.

Are there any special amenities at Mammoth Lakes campgrounds?

Mammoth Lakes campgrounds offer various amenities to enhance your camping experience. Mammoth Mountain RV Park & Campground provides full hookups, laundry facilities, and convenient access to town. For nature lovers, Mono Vista RV Park offers functional facilities within easy reach of both Yosemite and Mammoth Lakes. Most Forest Service campgrounds in the area feature picnic tables, fire rings, and bear lockers for food storage. Flush toilets and potable water are available at many sites, though shower facilities are limited. Several campgrounds provide direct access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and scenic views. Keep in mind that cell service varies by location, and not all campgrounds offer RV dump stations, so plan accordingly.