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The Eastern Sierra region surrounding Mono City, California features diverse camping options within proximity to iconic natural landmarks like Mono Lake and Yosemite National Park. Established campgrounds such as Lundy Canyon and Aspen Campground provide organized sites with basic amenities, while free dispersed camping is available at Mono Lake South and Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs areas. Most developed sites operate seasonally from late April through October, closing during winter months when snow makes access difficult. The area's camping landscape includes everything from lakeside RV parks with full hookups to primitive backcountry sites requiring permits from Inyo National Forest.
Camping permits and regulations vary significantly across the region's public lands. Many dispersed sites require California Campfire Permits, particularly important during summer fire seasons when restrictions are common. As one camper noted, "It's only 15 minutes away from Yosemite park entrance and no reservations needed." The high elevation (many sites sit above 7,000 feet) means dramatic temperature drops at night even during summer months. Road conditions to more remote sites can be challenging, with several campgrounds requiring high-clearance vehicles. Bear activity is common throughout the area, necessitating proper food storage in all camping situations.
Lakeside camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with June Lake Campground earning praise for its combination of natural setting and town proximity. "We stayed on a weeknight in October, so had no trouble getting an open spot without needing a reservation. The fall foliage was very pretty," reported one camper. Sites along creeks and water features tend to fill quickly during peak season. The region's campgrounds offer excellent access to fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors frequently mention the dramatic mountain views and stargazing opportunities as highlights. Weather patterns can change rapidly, with afternoon thunderstorms common in summer and early snow possible by late September at higher elevations.
"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."
"The sound of adjacent Mill Creek is hypnotizing. Great hikes begin at the end of Lundy Lake just up the road. Some spectacular waterfalls and wildflowers surrounded by steep canyon walls."
from $16 / night
Check Availability"Very cute little town of Lee Vining along Highway 395 in California. "
"For the most part a very serene location. Off 395 at Mono Lake is a pleasant rest stop whe headed to Yosemite. Being on the end of town. This place has all you need to reset and relax."
from $30 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
"We stayed here for a single night while on a road trip, the drive in along CA-120 was beautiful."
"Lucky for me I don't mind sleeping in my car when necessary so I was able to enjoy the stay uninterrupted just a short distance from the spring itself."
"The spot I got was next to the busy access to hot springs and is right before the sign the prohibits camping."
"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."
from $36 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Great campground tucked in an aspen grove on Tioga Pass 20 mins from Tuolumne entrance of Yosemite. Spacious spots and the ones on the water are amazing."
"We got here after trying to secure a site at couple of the other more popular campgrounds close to the Tioga pass - yosemite entrance. The place is nice , no showers or toilets ."
from $14 - $19 / night
Check Availability"Access to the tioga pass and about an hour and a half drive to Yosemite valley with no traffic. Many creeks and lakes near by. The one down side is that there is no running water."
"Good location if you want/need someplace outside of the crowded Yosemite campgrounds, especially midweek."
from $14 / night
Check Availability"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)"
from $38 / night
Check Availability"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. "
"Came here after our first attempted location farther east on highway 120 ended up having A LOT of bees and flies."
"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."
from $32 / night
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GuideI camped here in 2024 and it was a good location, apart from several off-road vehicles driving nearby especially on weekends. However this summer it's blocked off, with signs saying there's logging in process. Last tried to camp there 11 July and still no access.
GuideMost of the sites offer some level of privacy and separation from others via groves of Aspen. The sound of adjacent Mill Creek is hypnotizing. Great hikes begin at the end of Lundy Lake just up the road. Some spectacular waterfalls and wildflowers surrounded by steep canyon walls. Makes you feel small… Would definitely return.
TravelerWe tried to camp here but after getting set up the bees descended upon us. They didn't seem aggressive but were bothersome enough that we decided to go to another spot off highway 120 a few miles west. Spots were flat, spacious, and well spaced. Nice view of the lake through the pines. There are two roads from 120 to this site. The eastern road is 4WD only, soft sand and gravel surface. The western road is drivable by pretty much anything.
TravelerSeveral spots available along the forest service road, even arriving after 7pm. Some spots are spacious, others only fit something small like a camper van (what we got). Came here after our first attempted location farther east on highway 120 ended up having A LOT of bees and flies. Location is up on a little ridge that offers views of the lake to the north and mountains to the south. Great for a one night pit stop. Probably gets really windy on some evenings, and there is nothing around for wind protection.
GuideOne gorgeous site after the other, some rv accessible, some up the hills def not.
You have to get there early and, ideally, during the week if you want the best spots.
Lots of wildlife sightings and it is so quiet.
ScoutAlthough this campground is located in the midst of so much dramatic beauty, few campgrounds capture that beauty like this one. While sitting in your campsite, you can see majestic mountains and a very quiet. It is located across from horse stables if you like that and near a little store. Fishing appears to be the popular activity here although we are not fisher persons. It is a great base camp to all of the June Lake and Mammoth region
GuideTop tier campsite. Very clean, well maintained, sites spaced out well (compared to campsites in the valley) and in a very pretty area of the park. You can reserve a site 14 days in advance on recreation.gov - I highly recommend doing that. It’s a 45 min drive to the valley, which is the only downside if you’re looking to be close to the popular valley destinations like El Cap. There’s a lovely stream that goes through the campground and plenty of fire wood.
GuideNice trees, very quiet.
TravelerYou don’t exactly need to go all the way to the pinpoint, I pulled off to the side about a mile before pinpoint. Amazing spot, several areas to pick from, safe and quiet with amazing views. Few other people but that also made me feel safe. I would definitely come back.
Dispersed camping opportunities surround Mono City, California at elevations ranging from 6,500 to 8,000 feet, creating dramatic temperature swings that often drop below freezing even in summer months. The area sits at the intersection of the Great Basin Desert and Sierra Nevada mountains, where volcanic formations and alpine ecosystems converge. Roads to remote camping sites typically close between November and April due to heavy snowfall accumulation.
Soak in natural hot springs: The Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed camping area offers access to mineral-rich pools with mountain views. "We got there later in the evening and it was difficult to find a spot with the crowds, so try to time it right. The hot springs were easy enough to get to even at night, as long as you have a head lamp," notes Amelia F.
Explore ghost towns nearby: Mono Lake South Dispersed provides a central base for visiting historic sites. "Close to Mono Lake, Bodie, and away from the crowds at Yosemite," reports Wendy A., who appreciates the location's strategic position for day trips.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer prime opportunities for spotting deer, particularly at Oh Ridge Campground. "We got to see many deer up close. Came to our site to eat," writes Corey M., highlighting the frequent wildlife encounters at this established campground.
Kayaking on alpine lakes: Paddling opportunities abound on June Lake and Mono Lake when winds are calm. "I was close enough to Navy Beach to launch my kayak @sunrise, when the water is dead-calm. Ocean-type squalls can flare up with no warning, because of the wide-open desert terrain," cautions Randel M.
Secluded camping among aspens: Lundy Canyon Campground offers sites tucked among trees. "Almost all of the sites on this campground are secluded from one another due to the density of the trees. There are bear boxes, a picnic, and a fire pit for each camp site," explains Chasen L.
Easy access to fishing spots: Creekside camping provides convenient fishing access in several locations. "Was right on the Mill creek which made for some super fun fly fishing for wild brown trout," shares Heather P. about her experience at Lundy Canyon Campground.
Fall foliage viewing: The aspen groves transform dramatically in autumn. "Lower Lee Vining Campground has beautiful aspens with granite domes," notes James N., adding that "Peaceful, lots of trees and wildlife (watch out for bears). Clean, nice tables and fire pits."
Night sky observation: Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site offers unobstructed views for stargazing. "We found a nice, open campsite with great views of Mono Lake and the eastern Sierras," reports Emma T., highlighting the panoramic setting ideal for night sky viewing.
Bear activity requires vigilance: Bear encounters are common throughout the region. "While I was here the Bears annihilated someone's ice chest that got left out overnight," warns kathleen K. about Lower Lee Vining Campground, emphasizing the importance of proper food storage.
Limited water availability: Many dispersed sites lack potable water. "There is no usable water on property. No flush toilets. No showers," notes a Lower Lee Vining camper, recommending visitors bring sufficient water supplies.
Extreme temperature fluctuations: High elevation camping means preparation for cold nights year-round. "Don't know if it's normal but it was 30° when we woke up in the middle of June," reports adelia about Lower Lee Vining Campground.
Road conditions vary seasonally: Access to remote sites requires planning. "Google Maps said that Hwy 120 is closed Oct through May and would not direct us to this area via that road, but the road was open in April 2021, probably due to the mild winter," shares Laura M., emphasizing the importance of checking current conditions.
Reserve waterfront sites early: The most popular family-friendly spots fill quickly. "The spots for RVs were apparent and a bit larger than those that weren't," notes Joey P. about site selection at Lower Lee Vining Campground.
Pack for variable weather: Mountain conditions change rapidly regardless of season. "It gets warm during the day, but there is a good breeze during the day. And an even better breeze at night. lots of bugs. bring bug spray," advises Val C. about Mono Basin conditions.
Choose campgrounds with amenities: June Lake Campground offers facilities that make family camping easier. "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," shares Heather L.
Plan day trips strategically: Multiple attractions require driving. "A great location, only about 10 minutes away from town & plenty of great fishing spots," recommends Sam J. about Aspen Campground's convenient location for exploring the region with children.
Size restrictions limit options: Many camping sites near Mono City have limited space for larger vehicles. "We were able to camp with our 19 foot trailer but I don't think I would recommend anything larger," advises Samantha T. about Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed camping areas.
Prepare for uneven terrain: Leveling can be challenging at most sites. "Sites are very close and pretty small. And it was crowded. But it was nice for a last minute weekend get away," notes Alec H. about Oh Ridge Campground.
Limited hookup availability: Full-service RV sites are scarce in the area. "We stayed here for four nights. Originally only booked two, but because of the recent fires in the Sierra Mountains, many people had cancelled and the park wasn't very full. So we added two more nights," shares Kevin H. about Mono Vista RV Park.
Road access considerations: High clearance vehicles have more camping options. "The road gets a little rough and soft after the 4th site," warns Gustav H. about Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site, suggesting careful selection for RV access points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Mono Lake?
Several excellent campgrounds surround Mono Lake. Tioga Lake Campground offers a prime location just outside Yosemite's eastern entrance with stunning views of Mt. Dana at 9,800 ft elevation. With only 9-11 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis, it provides a secluded lake experience. Another great option is Lower Lee Vining Campground, which provides convenient access to Mono Lake and basic amenities including toilets. For RV travelers, Mono Vista RV Park in Lee Vining offers full hookups within easy reach of the lake's attractions.
What camping facilities are available in Mono City?
Mono City itself has limited camping facilities, but the surrounding area offers several options. Mono Vista RV Park provides developed camping with water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly sites that can be reserved in advance. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Big Bend Campground near Lee Vining offers water and toilet facilities with drive-in access. The wider region also includes campgrounds in nearby Lee Vining and around Mono Lake, with amenities ranging from basic to full-service depending on the specific location.
Is dispersed camping allowed around Mono Lake?
Yes, dispersed camping is allowed in designated areas around Mono Lake. Mono Lake South Dispersed provides free camping opportunities with drive-in access. These sites lack amenities but offer a true wilderness experience. When dispersed camping, always follow Leave No Trace principles and camp at least 200 feet from water sources. For those willing to venture slightly further, Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed offers free camping with the bonus of natural hot springs. Always check current regulations with Inyo National Forest before setting up camp, as restrictions may change seasonally.
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