Camping Sites

Camp grounds still "closed" with no water or restrooms - only open forest areas but all DWP land is closed off.

3 new covid cases in Bishop after 41 free days - all from the same household and 3 other from the same house are awaiting test results. Masks still required county wide.

 

Love your updates Bill

 

I appreciate the updates about the status of the area. I'm planning on coming up in a couple of weeks to camp for a couple nights and explore. I've spent a lot of time in the Eastern Sierras ever since I was young but only recently bought a truck and now hoping to explore previously inaccessible areas. We should be staying away from people other than a few gas/supplies stops.

 

After I got my license in 1966, my first solo drive was in my '47 jeep wagon to fish Bishop Creek. One lane road, yield to uphill traffic. I think I almost smoked the clutch, 3 speed stick on the column with 2 speed overdrive...

I have always loved this area. When I first drove the wife thru here in 2016, she started crying and said "this is home". Took three years but she is the happiest I have ever seen in 35 years.

 

Bring supplies. Gas is what it is but anything you do to not have to go into local stores is great. Inyo has a mandatory face covering in public and all short term rentals are still closed. Basically we got off easy and would like to keep it that way. Have fun exploring. There's a lot of it out here.

 

Yeah, the plan was to bring everything we needed other than firewood and there's always the chance we'd need more ice or something. And, if we make it that far north it's gonna be hard not to stop at JLB for a beer We've both been pretty seriously isolating at home and she's at high risk for pneumonia so we've been being very careful, masks whenever we go out...etc.

 

Stores are stocked up now but masks are required.

Smart and Final has someone at the door to remind you and the manager will let you know that they will call the BPD to remove you if you don't comply.

Some idiot woman caused a scene at Grocery Outlet because they didn't supply her with a mask, spit on the floor and left.... some people.

If anyone needs water, good Big Pine creek filtered available here, also a dumpster near by for when you clean your camping area upon departure....

 

The nerve of some people. I had really hoped some social/national unity could be a silver lining from this pandemic but that was wishful thinking.

I must be missing some details about the water/trash location you mention. I was going to bring a jug of tap water from home but boy oh boy would I much prefer some local spring water!

A friend mentioned that Convict Lake campground would be opening tomorrow, 6/12. I wonder if that's a sign of more openings to come. Has me worried that there's gonna be a flood of people coming up and it getting crowded up there

 

From the Bishop locals...where's the best place to buy firewood up there? I'd rather use local wood. The guy I get wood from in Lancaster is out until late fall when desert folks start needing to restock their winter wood supply.

 

I always send people to A&E Firewood. They have always been very accommodating to everyone I've sent there. Just call them a few days in advance if you need a crazy pickup time. Last year they hooked my buddy up at 530AM. It's not far off 395 at all.

https://aandefirewood.com/

 

Thank you. Almond wood is the best! That's what I get in Lancaster.

 

My buddy and I decided a couple weekends back that camping on the south side of big bear is better than the north side.

 

Looks great. How crowded was it up there? Local spots are usually way too overcrowded for my taste. Hence my extended drive times >4hrs.

 

Not a lot of people camping next to us. It was a well trafficked spot though.

 

I was up there memorial weekend and camping wasn’t to bad. It was just crowded around the lake. Was going to head back up this weekend for a day trip but I have a feeling it’s gonna be packed haha.

 

As a reminder, the state’s shelter in place order and local counties' public health guidance still advises local recreation and travel for only essential needs. “You can travel for urgent matters or if such travel is essential to your permitted work. Even though businesses around the state are opening up, avoid travelling long distances for vacations or pleasure as much as possible. This is to slow the spread of the coronavirus.” https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/

The State of the Inyo, current as of 06/11/20

Mono Lake Ranger District

Roads open: Monitor Pass (Hwy 89), Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4), Sonora Pass (Hwy108), Bodie Rd. (Hwy 270), Lundy Lake Rd. (to resort), Hwy 120 E (Benton), Hwy 158., Saddlebag Rd.


Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 W) at Yosemite National Park Boundary is opening June 15 to all vehicular traffic, Day Use Reservation or proof of overnight accommodation in the park required.


Campgrounds opening June 12: Lundy Canyon (county), Aerie Crag, Silver Lake, Reversed Creek, Gull Lake, June Lake, Oh Ridge.


Campgrounds closed: Tioga Lake, Junction, Sawmill Walk-in, Saddlebag Lake, Saddlebag Lake Group, Ellery Lake, Big Bend, Aspen, Moraine, Lower Lee Vining , Hartley, Obsidian Flat Group, Glass Creek, Big Springs, Upper Deadman, Lower Deadman.


The Mono Basin Visitor Center is closed, but visitor questions are being answered via phone call daily, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, 760- 647-3044.

Mammoth Ranger District

Roads closed: Reds Meadow Rd. at Minaret Vista, Lake Mary Rd. at Tamarack Ski Area, Old Mammoth Rd. to Lake Mary Rd (upper gate).

Roads open: Mammoth Scenic Loop.


Campgrounds Open: Brown’s Owens River (private). Mammoth Mtn. RV Park.

Campground opening June 12: Old Shady Rest, New Shady Rest, Pine Glen Family, Sherwin Creek.


Campgrounds closed: Upper Soda Springs, Pumice Flat, Pumice Flat Group, Reds Meadow, Agnew Meadows Horse, Agnew Meadows Group, Agnew Meadows Family, Minaret Falls, Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Lake George, Pine City, Coldwater, Convict Lake, Crowley (BLM), Pine Glen Group,


The Mammoth Welcome Center is closed, but visitor questions are being answered via phone call daily, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, 760-924-5500.


The Devils Postpile Ranger Station is closed.


White Mountain Ranger District
Roads open: McGee Creek Rd., Rock Creek Road, Buttermilk Rd., Hwy 168, North Lake Rd., South Lake Rd. (construction underway, M – F, 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, expect up to 30 minute delays), White Mountain Rd. Silver Canyon Rd. (4x4-high clearance expect winter damage), Wyman Canyon Rd. (4x4-high clearance, snow), Big Pine Canyon.


Campgrounds Open: Horton (BLM), Goodale (BLM).


Campgrounds Opening June 12: Convict Lake, McGee Creek, East Fork, French Camp, Pleasant Valley (County), North Lake, Bitterbrush, Big Trees, Baker Creek (County), Sage Flat, Upper Sage Flat, Big Pine Creek, Taboose Creek (County), Tinnemaha Creek (County).


Campgrounds closed: Holiday, Tuff, Aspen Group, Palisade Group, Rock Creek, Rock Creek Group, Iris Meadow, Big Meadow, Mosquito Flat Backpacker, Pine Grove, Upper Pine Grove, Pleasant Valley Pit (BLM), Forks, Intake 2, Bishop Park, Sabrina, Four Jeffrey, Table Mountain Group, Mountain Glen, Bishop Park Group, Willow, Grandview, Cedar Flat Group, Clyde Glacier Group, Palisade Glacier Group.


The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center is closed.


The White Mountain Ranger Station Visitor Center is closed, but visitor questions are being answered via phone call M-F, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, last call at 4:45pm, 760-873-2500 , 760-873-2501. 760-873-2503.

Mt Whitney Ranger District

Roads closed: Whitney Portal Rd. Horseshoe Meadow Rd at the Forest Service boundary.

Roads open: Onion Valley, Foothill Road, Division Creek, Horseshoe Meadow to the Forest Service boundary.


Campgrounds open: Upper and Lower Grays Meadow, Onion Valley, Tuttle Creek (BLM), Lone Pine, Boulder Creek RV Resort (private).


Campgrounds opening June 12: Independence Creek (county), Portuguese Joe (county), Diaz Lake (County).


Campgrounds closed: Whitney Portal, Whitney Portal Group, Whitney Portal Trailhead, Cottonwood Lakes, Cottonwood Pass, Horseshoe Meadows Equestrian. Kennedy Meadows.


The Eastern Sierra Visitor Center in Lone Pine is closed, but visitor questions are being answered via phone call M-F, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm last call at 4:445 pm, 760-876-6200. 760-876-6222.


Virtual wilderness permits are being issued at all visitor centers and through the Wilderness Permit Office, daily from 8:00am to 4:30 pm, 760-873-2483. Call volume had been significant, so if you have a permit later in the year, we advise waiting to call until your reservation gets closer.


The Inyo National Forest and Bishop BLM Field office are in Fire Restrictions

 

We live in an RV park in Big Pine, just past the cemetery. Welcome to stop by for water, trash drop off.

 

Sorry if this is the wrong place. Anybody been to Alabama Hills recently or have any info? It'll be my first time there. Just want to make sure there aren't any restrictions I should be aware of. I quick Google search led me to the BLM website where there's some confusing verbiage about a fire restriction for dispersed camping areas.

Can somebody confirm if campfires and a propane stove is allowed in Alabama Hills if I obtain a campfire permit?

 

Give them a call and let us know what you find out.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20698

 

I drove through about three weeks ago and Alabama Hills was closed. If they are open camp fires probably no, propane stove should be fine.