Scenic Loop - Dispersed Camping, near Mammoth Lakes, California, is a fantastic location for those seeking a true escape into nature. This area offers a range of camping spots, allowing you to find your own little slice of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle.

Visitors rave about the abundance of sites available, with many noting that you can easily find a spot that suits your needs. The area is pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure. Just keep in mind that there are no amenities like water or restrooms, so come prepared for a more rustic experience. As one camper put it, “Great free camping!” 

If you're into stargazing, you’re in for a treat. The clear skies here provide a stunning view of the stars, making it a perfect backdrop for a night under the cosmos. Plus, you're just a short drive from town, so you can grab supplies or enjoy a meal out when you need a break from cooking over the campfire.

For those who enjoy a bit of exploration, the surrounding area is filled with dirt roads leading to various campsites, perfect for off-road adventures. Just remember to keep an eye out for other campers and dirt bikes while you’re enjoying the great outdoors. Whether you're looking to unwind or embark on a little adventure, Scenic Loop has got you covered.

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

Scenic Loop - Dispersed Camping

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Mammoth Lakes. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Mammoth Lakes campgrounds just for you. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Mammoth Lakes. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Mammoth Lakes

The Best Camping Near Mammoth Lakes, California

This rod is hands down a campers fairy tail. There are over 100 campsites along this road all first come first serve. The PCT comes through this section of mammoth so there are, and I’m not kidding, hundreds upon hundreds of campsites. As you drive along this road, every 10 seconds you will pass a dirt road. Each dirt road has multiple campsites! Don’t get discouraged if one person is at the beginning of the road, that’s often the only people out there!

My favorite road!!! 

Right off of the Mammoth to June fire road. There were other campers, but mostly at the base of the hill. 

Plent of Space and Shade

This is definitely a boondocker's paradise. Huge selection of spots and all sorts of roads to explore. Super close to the town of Mammoth too.

Awesome spot

We camped here in July of this year and it was perfect! Close enough to town but out of the way enough to be quiet. Plenty of spots too. The ones closest to the main road are taken over quick but if you have 4wd you can get back pretty far and away. One of the best nights sleep we had for our trip.

Great area!

Some people did not find the campground, and I couldn’t either… Until I realized that this campgrounded actually is a part of another one, up the road, you cannot drive directly into this one, but if you got the road there are plenty of places and you will see many different people camping, if you want Internet drive farther down the loops and you will get up to three bars of Verizon

DRIVE UP THE ROAD

Overall this was a pretty good place to camp for one night. There are lots of obvious spots to camp both to the east and west sides of the scenic Loop. I’ve ventured in a little further and found a decent spot to camp with my teardrop trailer. Decent Verizon signal off of the Inyo Crater road. 

Plenty of obvious spots and some not so obvious 

Got here on Sunday - plenty of spots to park the camper van both Sunday and Monday. Multiple turn offs on the Scenic Loop road to camp at. No bathrooms, water, electricity, or fire rings. Pretty dispersed but close enough to downtown. Would go back!

Great free camping!

GREAT SPOT. so so close to the mountain. If you want to real dispersed camping you kind of just have to drive off the road there are some obvious adjacent roads to sites and also some not so obvious clearing that people just literally drive off the road into. If you are just looking to spend the night close the resort for parking you are not alone and will probably see everyone parked along the road on the side. Everyone gets up at 5:30 and drives to mountain and goes back to sleep. Great spot so beautiful. Drive the west half of the scenic loop road and keep an eye out. Day light helps for finding road turnoffs !
 

So close to resort and beautiful and popular

this site has limited turnarounds and would be challenging for motor homes over 24 feet and or trailers. Road is doable with a car but the grade sucks. Surface changes to sand half a mile from the springs, would be a risk for heavy vehicles when wet

too hot in summer, beware large trailers 

Plenty of spots either in this area or the one down the road. If you work remote keep searching and you’ll find a spot where starlink isn’t blocked by trees. 

10 minutes from town. About 25 minutes the famous mobil gas station. They sure did treat us good. Expensive gas but 2 water spigots, easy to access bathrooms and delicious meatloaf

Photos of Scenic Loop - Dispersed Camping

Real photos from real campers