Free dispersed camping along Virginia Lake Road runs beside Virginia Creek, with individual sites spaced along a dirt road long enough to absorb crowds even on busy holiday weekends. Each site has a bear food locker on-site, which is worth noting given the area's wildlife activity. Several reviewers mention seeing and hearing wildlife nearby, so bringing bear spray adds an extra layer of preparedness. The road itself generates the most discussion in reviews: it closes seasonally, and at least a few visitors have arrived to find the gate shut, so checking current conditions before making the drive is essential.
Sites along the creek give campers the sound of running water through the night. The Virginia Lakes Road BLM Dispersed — Conway Summit area sits less than a mile northeast, and the Lower Virginia Creek Campground is about 1.2 miles southwest, so there are nearby fallback options if this road is gated. Dogs are welcome and reviewers consistently describe good walking space. As jake K. puts it: "each spot had bear food containers and access to a little creek."
Cell coverage is unreliable here, though at least one camper confirmed Starlink works. No fee, no reservation, no host on-site. The campgrounds near Mono City provide context for the wider area if this spot is closed or full. When the road is open and conditions cooperate, this is a low-friction base for exploring the eastern Sierra.
Description
Just far enough off the beaten path to keep the crowds away, Virginia Lakes is an oasis for anglers and those who wish to get away from it all. A mere six miles off Highway 395 from Conway Summit (about halfway between Lee Vining and Bridgeport), Virginia Lakes consists of nearly a dozen alpine lakes located more at than 9,000 feet high in the Sierra. Three of the lakes are drive-to, with options to take anything from short strolls to long hikes to reach many others. Trumbull, Little Virginia and Big Virginia Lakes are all accessible by vehicles and offer camping and solid fishing. The Virginia Lakes Resort includes cabins, a general store, but none of the usual distractions like television or internet access. It’s a little quieter, too, as gas-powered boats aren’t allowed. The isolated location, hidden beneath Dunderberg Peak and Black Mountain, gives the Virginia Lakes Basin a cozy and quiet vibe, which helps keep the crowds away, making the Virginia Lakes even more appealing to many of us.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsVirginia Lake Rd. Boondocking is located in California near Mono City
Directions
From Highway 395 at the top of Conway Summit, take Virginia Lakes Road six miles.
Coordinates
38.077559250522654 N
119.20849844104998 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 9 usersLast on 7/25/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/25/26- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/25/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 9 usersLast on 7/25/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/25/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/25/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Virginia Lake Rd. Boondocking needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 41 min from Carson City, NV
- 4 hrs 13 min from Modesto, CA
- 4 hrs 48 min from Merced, CA
- 5 hrs 38 min from Fresno, CA
