420 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Sierra National Forest surrounds Mono Hot Springs, California with diverse camping options ranging from developed campgrounds to backcountry sites. Mono Hot Springs Campground serves as a central hub with tent sites, RV spaces, and nearby cabins, operating from late May through early October. Vermillion and Mono Creek campgrounds offer additional established options within a short drive, featuring standard amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and bear boxes. The area sits at the edge of the Ansel Adams Wilderness, providing access to backcountry camping at higher elevations for those seeking more remote experiences. Most campgrounds in this region maintain a rustic character with vault toilets and limited services, though the small store at Mono Hot Springs provides basic supplies.
Kaiser Pass Road presents a challenging drive that requires careful navigation, particularly for larger vehicles. As one camper noted, "You can't describe enough what a crazy road it is. Do not take the warnings lightly. Your first drive down this road will leave you white knuckled." The narrow, winding mountain road serves as the primary access route to the area. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from late May through mid-September due to snow conditions at the 7,000+ foot elevation. Bear activity is common throughout the region, with multiple campers reporting sightings, making proper food storage essential. Cell service remains limited, with AT&T providing the most reliable coverage. Summer temperatures typically range from cool mornings to mild afternoons, while afternoon thunderstorms occur regularly during monsoon season.
Fishing opportunities rank among the most popular activities, with the San Joaquin River and nearby lakes drawing anglers. "The river runs right close to the campsites and it is amazing fishing," reported one visitor who stayed at Mono Hot Springs. Stargazing receives consistent praise from campers, with minimal light pollution offering exceptional night sky viewing. The natural hot springs provide unique soaking opportunities within walking distance of some campgrounds. Sites tend to be well-spaced compared to more developed recreation areas, offering a sense of privacy despite the area's popularity. Weekends see higher visitation, particularly during July and August, while weekdays typically offer better availability for first-come, first-served sites. Most campgrounds provide bear boxes, though their capacity may be limited for larger groups or extended stays.
"The drive is pretty interesting once you get to the single lane road. We didn’t stay in the campgrounds but we did get to experience the dispersed camping."
"My boyfriend and I recently camped at the mono hot springs campground, and absolutely loved it. As far as the campground, you get a fire pit, bear bin and tent area."
from $37 - $78 / night
Check Availability"There is already so much to do at the lake as well but the other lakes and hikes in the area are some of my favorite! It is also a great place for fishing."
"Lake Access: The lake is a short, easy walk— convenient if you want to get in the water. Getting into the water is the harder part."
from $47 - $121 / night
Check Availability"Thousand Island Lake is a trek to get to but once you get there, well you don’t really want to leave."
"Thousand Island Lake is a backcountry camping area located at 9,839 feet elevation in Ansel Adams Wilderness within the Inyo National Forest, California."
from $5 / night
Check Availability"Wood, minor supplies, and a small restaurant are within a short distance. The lake around cg is dry but a river was running a short walk across the lake bed."
"Being at Lake Edison and Vermillion Campground is like being at the top of the world. It’s a rigorous climb up a one lane bumpy road once you travel past the paved road but it’s worth it."
from $37 - $39 / night
Check Availability"My family and I were in awe of the view the entire drive there. Bring dramamine and roll your windows down if you get motion sickness. I loved how spaced out each site was from each other."
"Nice simple primitive camping with tons of trails nearby. Note: on another trip, we stayed in a campground with this same name on the CA/NV border, double check when you look up info."
from $37 - $81 / night
Check Availability"Great campground along the lake. Lake has great fishing, on the lake and along the shoreline. Camped while sites were all full and wasn’t noisy or heavily populated."
"Campground is right on the lake with walking trails. Added bonus is the campground is next to the boat launch."
from $47 - $96 / night
Check Availability"Great campsite if you want to camp around Shaver Lake in the Sierras of California. Beautify lake, plenty of water sports. The small town has great rustic mountain vibe."
"Easy walk to lakeside and boat ramp. Nice picnic area near lake. Camped with full hookups. Nice store and hospitality center with food, drinks and stock of camp supplies."
from $40 - $105 / night
Check Availability"It is a beautiful campground located off Kaiser Pass Road. Even in June there was so many wildflowers and vibrate green. There was bathrooms and each site had a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box."
"When I visited some people had buried human waste next to the campsite and I cleaned it up. Most easily accessed via Kaiser Pass. Be aware that the road is steep, narrow, and has blind corners."
"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."
"We recently stayed for 3 nights in July at convict lake. The lake is gorgeous and offers fishing, no wake boating sports, mountain biking and hiking trails."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"It's location had perfect weather, warm during the day and cool, but not cold, at night. You surrounded by gorgeous tall trees and have access to swimming holes about a mile away."
"I grew up going to Dinkey Creek and to the Girl Scout Camp nearby. This campground is remote and secluded there are good swimming holes, fly fishing and really beautiful area."
from $47 - $275 / night
Check Availability
TravelerNot far off the highway, but quiet. Designates sites that seemed to fill up fast, but I was able to snag one! Had two bars with t-mobile and had no issues in my 2WD rav-4
ScoutThe ground is very compacted. Getting ANY stakes down is a mission. The sunsets and starry nights make it worth it
GuideWe drove around with our 18ft popup trailer on tiny roads with some nice pullouts, but most were too small for us and resulted in quite some pinstriping. In the end we found a big spot close to the main road almost where this pin is in the map. Nice view of the craters, lake and mountains. After unhitching we saw bigger and easier spots along 1N32 (from our spot towards the crater)
GuideSpent a weekend at Rancheria and it delivered exactly what we wanted— a quiet, low-key few days at Huntington Lake with nothing much to do but be there.
Site Selection Tips: We were in the 110's section and I'd steer people there. It feels noticeably less crowded than the other loops, with good spacing and shade. If you want a quieter stay, aim for the higher-numbered sites rather than the ones packed in closer to the middle of the campground.
Lake Access: The lake is a short, easy walk— convenient if you want to get in the water. Getting into the water is the harder part. The shoreline near the campground is thick with downed logs and trees right up to the edge, so finding a clean entry point takes some scouting. Doable, just not a walk-in sandy beach.
Amenities: Potable water and restrooms were easy to get to and clean the whole time we were there. Standard fire ring, table, and bear box at the site. No showers.
Camp Host: Very diligent and visibly present. He was on top of keeping the grounds in good shape, which showed.
Cell Service: Essentially nonexistent at the campground. I'm told you may pick something up over near the marina on the far side of the lake, but plan on being out of contact for the weekend. Bring satellite if you need to stay reachable.
Activities: There's plenty out there, but nearly all of it requires getting in the car. We drove out to Mono Hot Springs— about 75 minutes each way through the mountains on a one-lane road. Worth doing, but go in knowing it's a real drive, not a quick errand. Same goes for most of what's in the area: the lake is what's at your doorstep, everything else is a trip.
Noise& Ambience: The campground itself is quiet. There happened to be a concert across the lake on Sunday— we went over for it, and coming back to camp afterward with the music still carrying faintly over the water made for a nice festive ambience. A pleasant bonus rather than a disturbance.
Overall: Recommend it if the intent is a low-profile weekend. There isn't much within walking distance beyond the lake itself, which is the appeal. Come for the quiet, and plan a drive if you want more.
GuideNice in the woods, closed to small twin lakes that have rowing boat rental. Clean restrooms. Quite well spaced but 2-in-1 pads. No showers (normally there is one at the shop, but closed). Free shuttle up/down the mountain is a big plus.
ScoutThis would be a wonderful spot but you have to plan ahead for the perfect time. Spring insect population is not for the faint of heart. Ants everywhere and wolf spiders are prevalent. This season the river is COLD and not safe to swim in.
Summer Heat is almost unbearable there and they are strict about fire restrictions with rangers checking frequently. The whole area is very dry during this time and there would be little to no early warning system if a wildfire was headed towards your area. Be sure to check water levels prior to visiting, not worth coming unless you can cool off in the river.
Suggest bringing poles and warm clothes for a winter stay and fish the river. I will not consider revisiting unless it’s during this season moving forward.
TravelerFriendly rangers and hosts at the entrance kiosk for the campground. They can make reservations for you for anywhere within the park if need be. Toilets very clean and abundant. NPS.gov and recreation.gov say that the dump is closed effective Sept 7, 226 (for the season I assume)-NOT TRUE. Today we used it and and spoke with workers in the area who said they are NOT GOING TO CLOSE the dump. Also filled the RV with potable water there.
ScoutWas able to get me 35’ Class A all the way into the back. Super quiet here and the camp host is very friendly and helpful. I’m here Labor Day weekend and ½ the spots are empty.
TravelerAll spots are first come, first serve. $32 a night. Got here Saturday afternoon LDW and was able to get a spot. However, it was almost completely full by night time. Only 1 spot really has shade, the rest are all full sun. Not a bad spot to stay for the night but it is very crowded and you can hear all of your neighbors. There is a creek behind the sites which was nice to cool off in.
Camping areas near Mono Hot Springs, California offer sites at elevations between 7,000-9,800 feet, with most campgrounds experiencing daytime temperatures in the 70s during summer months. The San Joaquin River watershed provides numerous creek-side camping options throughout this region of Sierra National Forest. Dispersed camping is available in designated areas outside established campgrounds, particularly along Forest Service roads beyond Ward Lake.
Fish mountain creeks: Campsites around Mono Creek Campground provide excellent creek fishing opportunities. "Beautiful campground, in good shape. The fire pit was newer and great for cooking... I was there for fishing," reports one visitor who camped at Mono Creek.
Explore alpine lakes: Multiple hiking trails connect to stunning alpine destinations from Thousand Island Lake Backcountry camping areas. "If you desire 360 degree mountain beauty, a cool lake to fish, float, swim or reflect by, epic sunrises and sunsets, star-filled night skies...this is for you," notes a camper who backpacked into the area.
Visit thermal springs: Natural mineral pools require short hikes from camping areas. "There are several different pools located across the river from the campgrounds. They are all over the hillside and range in temperature from lukewarm to bath water to Hot," explains a camper who stayed at Mono Hot Springs.
Dispersed camping options: Many visitors appreciate finding spots outside designated campgrounds. "If you go up to Mono Hot Spring and don't have a reservation there are plenty of campgrounds both before and after the main mono hot spring campgrounds," notes a camper at Mono Hot Springs Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The remote setting provides opportunities to observe forest animals. "Deer come right into your camp site," reports a camper at Convict Lake Campground, which shares similar wildlife patterns with Mono Hot Springs area campgrounds.
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. "At night you have the most beautiful view of the star sky," writes a camper who stayed at Ward Lake, highlighting an experience common throughout the region.
Bear activity is constant: All campgrounds require proper food storage. "This is active black bear country, so you must use approved bear canisters for food and odoriferous items (toothpaste, soap, lip balm, insect repellent, etc)," warns a camper at Thousand Island Lake Backcountry.
One-lane access road: Kaiser Pass Road presents significant driving challenges. "The last 18 miles over Kaiser Pass took 1.5 hours. A sub-par road surface little bigger than one lane in many places made transit interesting," notes a visitor to Sample Meadow Campground.
Early reservations essential: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Sites tend to be well spaced compared to more developed recreation areas, offering a sense of privacy despite the area's popularity," notes a regular visitor to Vermillion Campground.
Choose creekside sites: Children enjoy water play opportunities at safe, shallow locations. "The Kaiser Creek provides hours of fun for the kids and you are close enough to trail heads for the adventure seekers in your group," writes a visitor to Sample Meadow Campground.
Pack for temperature fluctuations: Summer days can be warm while nights drop significantly. "The weather is always wonderfully warm during the day and brisk-chilly at night," explains a long-time visitor to Vermillion Campground.
Insect protection is critical: Mosquitoes are abundant near water sources. "I would strongly suggest to bring insect/mosquito repellent because you definitely will get bit up a lot due to the standing water from the lake," advises a camper who stayed at Ward Lake.
Size restrictions apply: Kaiser Pass Road limits the size of vehicles that can safely navigate to campgrounds. "RV usage prohibited and likely not possible over Kaiser Pass... We did take our Eurovan there, and saw a Vanagon. Mostly trucks and jeeps," shares a camper who stayed at Mono Hot Springs.
Level sites limited: Many campsites require significant leveling for larger vehicles. "Approx. 1/2 sites close to level for 24' RV... 1/2 better suited for car/tent camping," notes a visitor to Convict Lake Campground, describing a common situation throughout the area.
Bear boxes save space: Using provided bear containers helps manage limited storage in smaller RVs. "The bear boxes were quiet roomy, fitting both our coolers and all necessary gear," reports a visitor to Rancheria Campground near Huntington Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Mono Hot Springs, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Mono Hot Springs, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 420 campgrounds and RV parks near Mono Hot Springs, CA and 84 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Mono Hot Springs, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mono Hot Springs, CA is Mono Hot Springs with a 5-star rating from 10 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mono Hot Springs, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 84 free dispersed camping spots near Mono Hot Springs, CA.
What parks are near Mono Hot Springs, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near Mono Hot Springs, CA that allow camping, notably Sierra National Forest and Devils Postpile National Monument.
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