Camping near Mono Hot Springs, California occurs at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet with temperatures that can fluctuate 30-40 degrees between day and night. The alpine environment features dense pine forests surrounding multiple hot springs with water temperatures ranging from lukewarm to 105°F. The camping season runs primarily from late May through early October due to snow conditions on Kaiser Pass Road.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Multiple creeks and lakes offer trout fishing throughout the region. At Mono Creek Campground, "There is a small creek that runs along the campground. I saw an employee adding nets of fish inside," notes Sameyah M.
Hot springs exploration: Cross the river from Mono Hot Springs to find multiple natural mineral pools. "They are all over the hillside and range in temperature from lukewarm to bath water to Hot," explains Mollie M. from her visit to Mono Hot Springs.
Alpine lake visits: Several lakes within 15-20 minutes offer swimming, kayaking, and cliff jumping. Chris M. describes Doris Lake near Mono Hot Springs as "pretty, with several cliffs to jump from ranging all sizes up to 60 feet."
Hiking to remote locations: Trail access to multiple wilderness destinations. "Plenty of trails to a few alpine lakes, and great swimming and cliff jumping at Doris lake," notes Chris M. about the trail system near Mono Hot Springs.
What campers like
Natural mineral baths: Access to primitive hot springs a short hike from campsites. According to Colleen C. at Mono Hot Springs Campground, "hiking trails to lakes, meadows and hot springs run directly off of the campground."
Creek-side camping: Many sites feature running water alongside. Darlene M. says about Sample Meadow Campground, "Creeks ran though many of the campsites. There was trails close by and so many meadows."
Bear boxes at sites: Food storage provided at most established campgrounds. "All provide a firepit, table, bear box, and parking space. I love that there are bear boxes at such a remote place!" reports Mollie M. about Mono Hot Springs.
Dispersed camping options: Free camping available in designated areas. Bryce B. notes, "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 springs campgrounds."
What you should know
Road conditions: Kaiser Pass Road requires careful driving. "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," explains Chris M. about reaching Vermillion Campground.
Wildlife awareness: Bears and rattlesnakes are common in this area. Randy D. warns about Ward Lake Campground: "Great small campground next to a small lake. Nice campsites, pit toilets. Overall pretty good, but we did come across several small rattle snakes."
Temperature fluctuations: Pack layers as nights get cold even in summer. "The road is pretty haggard to get to the campground. It also gets extremely cold at night so make sure to bring warm clothes and have a good tent and sleeping bag," advises Darlene M. about Sample Meadow.
Water filtration: Many campsites require water treatment. "The creek was really cold so if you need drinking water you should bring some or bring a filter," recommends Darlene M.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly sites: Most campgrounds welcome pets with proper supervision. At Rancheria Campground, "Very clean, very safe, lots of families," according to Mollie M., making it a good option among the dog-friendly campgrounds near Mono Hot Springs.
Star-gazing opportunities: Clear mountain skies provide exceptional night viewing. Darlene M. notes at Sample Meadow, "The stars are beautiful and the site is free too."
Insect preparation: Bring repellent, especially for waterside sites. "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," warns Darlene M. about Ward Lake Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Deer and small animals often visit campsites. "Deer come right into your camp site," reports Lorrie about Convict Lake Campground, which provides another dog-friendly option in the Sierra region.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Large rigs face challenges on Kaiser Pass Road. "I recommend checking conditions with the Prather Ranger Station before setting out," suggests Collin about access to Sample Meadow Campground.
Generator restrictions: Check each campground's policies before arrival. "Generator hours till 10pm but thankfully only hear sounds of nature at 7pm," notes Leonard H. about Convict Lake Campground's policies.
Pull-off challenges: Limited room to pass on access roads. "It is one lane and you must pull out for opposing traffic," warns Chris M. about Kaiser Pass Road to Vermillion Campground.
Alternate sites: RVs may find better access at lower-elevation campgrounds. "Though, there were a few small 2WD cars there too. Awesome trip, we will likely return," mentions Chris M. about vehicle access to Mono Hot Springs despite the challenging road.
