Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Mammoth Lakes? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Mammoth Lakes. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Mammoth Lakes's most popular destinations.
Regulations governing campfires can change with weather conditions and the seasons. To protect yourself and the forest, before each visit, check with the Forest Service office nearest to your destination for current restrictions.
You can help protect the National Forests from wildfires by knowing and following the rules for the safe use of fire. You must have a California Campfire Permit to use a stove or lantern outside a Developed Recreation Area such as a campground. The permit is your agreement to follow restrictions and regulations in effect.
Your California Campfire Permit is valid until the end of the calendar year; it may be used in any National Forest in California.
Go to any Forest Service, CALFIRE, or Bureau of Land Management office during business hours and a receptionist will issue you a permit. You may also go to this website to get a campfire permit online (please note you will need a printer to print it off).
Campfires - Campfires when permitted, you need to follow five conditions:
Campfire Permits are required. Clear all flammable material away from the fire for a minimum of five feet in all directions to prevent escape of the fire. Have a shovel available at the campfire site for preparing and extinguishing campfires. Have a responsible person in attendance at all times. Extinguish campfire with water, using the drown, stir and feel method. Take Responsibility... It is your responsibility to know the current conditions and restrictions for the area you intend to visit.
Details here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/recreation/ohv/?cid=stelprdb5362150
$5 / night
Dispersed camping is allowed on public land in the Mono Basin—the Jeffrey pine forest off of Highway 120 east is a recommended dispersed camping area. If you plan on having a campfire, propane stove, lantern, or any open flame, you must obtain a permit. Camping is allowed on the exposed lakebed surrounding Mono Lake by permit only. Camping on the islands in Mono Lake is allowed by permit only, except during April through August when the islands are closed to all boaters. Dispersed camping is prohibited in developed recreation areas such as South Tufa, Navy Beach, Old Marina, and County Park. Permits are available free-of-charge at the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area Visitor Center
A small, quiet campground just below Rock Creek Lake. 11 campsites.
Located near the Kaiser and Ansel Adams Wilderness', Sample Meadow Campground offers 16 campsites located along Kaiser Creek. Vault toilets are provided and each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box. There is trailhead parking outside of campground approximately .5 mile for hikes into the wilderness. Large RV's and motorhomes not recommended. Horse camping is permitted. Water and garbage service not provided.
Traveler
If you have an RV or prefer car camping/glamp set up this is a very nice spot. Lots of RV spots, but I chose to tent camp. Two types of tent sites, platform and ground neither of which has AC/Water. I had a platform site that was next to a little stream. There is a village store on site, showers, toilets, and water. Close to Wishon Reservoir which is great for trout fishing. Courtright is a little farther but wasn't accessible at the time I went due to fallen trees blocking the road. Attended a village church service on Sunday which was the topping on the cake for me. Lots of people around the campsites but partying is prohibited. That being said if you want a little more serene camping experience there is plenty of dispersed camping in this part of the woods.
Ranger
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. But it has water and flush toilets, but the down fall is no showers. Each site has a picnic table, firepit ring, and a two-locker bear storage. The campground varies in privacy so just be aware you will see and most likely hear your neighbors. There is no electric either at this campground. It is $24 a night which isn’t bad but with no showers seems bit pricey.
This campground has some great hiking trails in it, we took the Meadows trail and it did not disappoint with beautiful scenery and rivers. It also is right down the road from Mammoth Lakes which has plenty of restaurants if you are needing some non-camping cuisine. There are trails all over this area, that it would take you while to hike all of them. This is also a very popular mountain biking area during the summer with trails everywhere. During the winter it is a booming ski/snowboard town.
Guide
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. The only wildlife we dealt with were deer which is much better than bears (so many in Mammoth).
We enjoyed paddle boarding, fishing, and hiking around the lake.
LegendCAMPGROUND 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.
Amenities: large sites, modern restrooms spaced throughout the camp (two unisex doors, includes one sink with running cold water, a flush toilet, and metal mirror), water spigots near the latrines.
Each site has a large picnic table, a fire pit with sliding cook grate, a double door bear cabinet and small paved parking pad.
We chose site 66, as it sprawled to s mountain stream, nestled in shaded pines, had a couple flat tent spots and was relatively close to restrooms and water.
No electric, no showers (nearby Twin Lakes Campground Store rents shower time at $7.00…one person per shower.
Coldwater Campground is a short drive from Mammoth Lakes, which has all you should need or desire.
The trails from the back of Coldwater Campground go up, up, up…but offer spectacular mountain views, glacier lakes, picturesque alpine meadows, waterfalls and cascades. A short drive and bus ride away are trails to Iconic Rainbow Falls and Devil’s Postpile, among other ridiculously beautiful mountain trails!
Mountain bike trails are innumerable…and the paved multi-use trails are stellar and travel for miles. https://www.visitmammoth.com/blogs/top-5-xc-mountain-bike-trails-near-mammoth-lakes
There are rentals nearby for every sportsman. This is the active person’s Mecca! Also close-by is Mammoth Ski area that offers the downhill mountain bikers absolute Nirvana, during summer months.
https://www.mammothmountain.com/summer/bike-park-overview/mammoth-bike-park/mammoth-bike-park
At $24 a night, this seems to be the standard rate for this region…and that without showers.
Note: 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.
It did not take long to fall in love with the Eastern Sierra Nevadas. I would not hesitate to camp here again, and am already planning a return visit.
Legend
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.
Amenities: large sites, modern restrooms spaced throughout the camp (two unisex doors, includes one sink with running cold water, a flush toilet, and metal mirror), water spigots near the latrines.
Each site has a large picnic table, a fire pit with sliding cook grate, a double door bear cabinet and small paved parking pad.
We chose site 66, as it sprawled to s mountain stream, nestled in shaded pines, had a couple flat tent spots and was relatively close to restrooms and water.
No electric, no showers (nearby Twin Lakes Campground Store rents shower time at $7.00…one person per shower.
Coldwater Campground is a short drive from Mammoth Lakes, which has all you should need or desire.
The trails from the back of Coldwater Campground go up, up, up…but offer spectacular mountain views, glacier lakes, picturesque alpine meadows, waterfalls and cascades. A short drive and bus ride away are trails to Iconic Rainbow Falls and Devil’s Postpile, among other ridiculously beautiful mountain trails!
Mountain bike trails are innumerable…and the paved multi-use trails are stellar and travel for miles. https://www.visitmammoth.com/blogs/top-5-xc-mountain-bike-trails-near-mammoth-lakes
There are rentals nearby for every sportsman. This is the active person’s Mecca! Also close-by is Mammoth Ski area that offers the downhill mountain bikers absolute Nirvana, during summer months.
https://www.mammothmountain.com/summer/bike-park-overview/mammoth-bike-park/mammoth-bike-park
At $24 a night, this seems to be the standard rate for this region…and that without showers.
Note: 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.
It did not take long to fall in love with the Eastern Sierra Nevadas. I would not hesitate to camp here again, and am already planning a return visit.
Guide
Great location right in the valley. Amenities were nice (showers, laundry, food). The three-sided cinder block enclosure was a bit rustic and dirty. Would have felt cleaner actually camping in a tent where you can control what comes in and out of your personal space. Hiked several days in the park and took in sunset from Glacier Point (while doing the 4 mile hike earlier in the day from the valley floor up to the point). Beautiful!
Traveler
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. It is secluded, and you would never know that you are 5 mins. away from a Vons or all the hubbub of the town. There is a cute Creek, Sherwin Creek, that runs past the whole camp. You can here is all night, which my husband and I liked. The sites are clean and spacious. There are walk-in tent sites and RV sites. There are bear boxes at every site, and must be used!
We had a big thunderstorm come through, and it wasn’t that bad because the campground is protected by hills along side it.
We absolutely loved it at Sherwin Creek, and are looking to go back next summer!
Guide
I really enjoyed tent camping here. I’m not a fan of the trailer camping because it’s all cement and everyone is close together, but it’s doable if need be. When tent camping, you’re under beautiful trees which I love!
Guide
We had a nice open camping spot. It was at the edge of Yosemite Valley. The only downside to the spot was everyone else had a RV and had there generators on at 6am. We are not RV people so we don’t know why they need to run them. Next time we will camp in a tent only area. This area had no showers.
Traveler
The place is in great location. The bathrooms are clean which is a great plus. There is a nice river (Fresno River). One thing I have to add is that many of the campsites along the water trailer and especially tent sites are very bunched up. There is not any room between campsites. The tent sites have are honestly 20x20 I would say. Therefore, there is no privacy. I understand from a business perspective the concept but to make it more appealing campsite I would suggest changing the layout and cutting the tent sites into half so that each campsite has more room.
Guide
This is our go to place for our yearly camp out . It has a spot for everyone from tent camping to cabins.
Ranger
The tent camping sites were pretty small. Beautiful, but our site was pretty far away from the bathroom, water, and creek.
Traveler
There is no space between tent sites and no dividing trees or bushes. Bathroom and showers are clean.
Guide
4x4 or high clearance coming in. Long dirt road with dips and rocks. Water only flowing in winter months. Lots of tent camping spots along with 8 back in spots. Really amazing views 360 degrees. No service with Verizon.
Traveler
Great sites for small RV’s or tent camping. Very funny and welcoming camp host David Mac. Would recommend this camp to anyone looking to get away from the crowds you’ll find further north in the eastern sierras.
First come first serve.
Ranger
It's free but donations are welcome. It's more for boondocking your trailer or RV. Spots are huge. Great for motorcycle/snowmobile. I was the only person in a tent. Not great if you're looking for tent camping atmosphere. But close to Mammoth and June Lake Loop. Had a bear visitor. Better for RV camping.
Scout
It's a nice campsite. A bit of trash scattered around the tent spots. Excellente toilets and showers, but not so great out of hours check-in. Also 70+USD for a tent site with no hookup in November is a rip-off.
Scout
Tent camping and some RV sites available. Went at the very end of the season so cold at night but beautiful during the day! Various homes nearby. Lake was beautiful and the leaves were changing in time for winter. Very clean. Flushable toilets and running water. Walking distance from town.
Scout
Stayed three nights here tent camping , facilities were very clean and the foreman was very friendly guy. the area is great fishing and hiking though small game hunting in the Owens Valley was unproductive . Overall a great place to stay and country store has everything you need for your stay I will come back
ScoutBeen camping here for years, very nice and really clean. Nice family owned rv park and tent camping. Make sure if you come since it’s right next to the mountains be prepared for wind and rain, but usually passes pretty quick. About a two hour drive into Yosemite valley and only like 20 mins from Yosemite east entrance.
Traveler
Very close to park entrance. Tent sites are small and gravel. However the hosts are friendly, there are showers, clean bathrooms, good wifi, and you can use the resort pool. Great place to relax after a long day of hiking in Yosemite.
Guide
Visited in Fall, beautiful time, All the trees were changing, it was beautiful. The campground was nice, the spaces were separated, we tent camped. Store a few minute walk down the road, along with place to rent boats for the lake. Very calm and peaceful area. Because of the beauty and seclusion, wonderful time. one of the best campgrounds/locations I've ever been to.
Scout
Absolutely loved it here! No cellphone service, no showers, and one nature toilet. A true tent camping experience. Fell asleep to the raging river nearby. Recreation.gov states that bear proof lockers are provided but that is not true. This is a remote campsite, you are living in bear country; be prepared and secure you food/garbage. We had no problems with any wildlife and found it peaceful.
Scout
Owned and operated by a family. Great customer service and always willing to help! Over 44 campsites between RV and tent sites. Very small and close together. FHU, quiet and close to Towns of Murphy for wine tasting and dining, Columbia, Angels Camp and other State Parks for camping. Paid showers $.25, pool and event center to rent.
Guide
This campground is close to a small town, many lakes, hiking, biking, atv trails etc. the campground offers clean bathrooms, laundry, open kitchen and fire pit, free kayaks and SUP boards to use. Beautiful grounds. Full hook ups, great tent sites, and rentals. Great staff. Wood, charcoal, ice, and propane for sale on sight.
ScoutWe had a great experience with the Rangers and the facilities. The view was BEAUTIFUL and we had a great time. However, we were tent camping for the night and were kept awake by our loud neighbors in their RVs who were playing loud music until 1am. Also, planes fly overhead pretty frequently which woke me up. But the quality of the place is great and would be good for family trips.
Traveler
This campground was awesome. We went in the middle of summer without reservations and we were able to get a tent site. This camp site is at the head of the Upper Falls trail so you can get an early start and see some great sunrise scenes. Plenty of toilets and water sources at the camp site, just bring your filter.
Mammoth Lakes, California, offers a stunning backdrop for tent camping enthusiasts, with a variety of well-reviewed sites nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Whether you're seeking solitude or adventure, there's a perfect spot waiting for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mammoth Lakes, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mammoth Lakes, CA is Scenic Loop - Dispersed Camping with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Mammoth Lakes, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 69 tent camping locations near Mammoth Lakes, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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