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Any suggestions for campgrounds near Bishop or Mammoth area?

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:38 pm
by DirtDiver
A few of us friends are heading over next month to do White Mountain. We pretty much have all the info we need on that, but the next night we want to camp somewhere near Bishop or Mammoth so we can ride bikes the next day. We don't really need a formal camp site as we are sleeping in the back of the suv, we just don't know where this is allowed or where to find a campground. This will be our first time riding our bikes on a trail so we are looking for something for beginners. We heard about Cabo San Crowley and are looking for any info on this ride. If anyone could help us out with info on either subject it would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:46 pm
by Snow Nymph
You can go to Long Valley and park on any of the roads by the hot springs. I used to do it all the time and sleep in the back of my 4Runner. Its free, and lots of places to camp, like this: http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1049 ... 6011DmfNZJ

If you need facilities, there's the RV park across the visitor center, or another campground (forget the name) on your right side as you approach the first stop light. You can camp at Lake Mary too.

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:50 pm
by DirtDiver
Thanks Snow-Nymph! I will check that out right away!

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:54 pm
by Snow Nymph
Forgot to mention, to get to Long Valley, take the Benton Crossing Road (green church on the corner), and drive .7 mi. Turn N on the dirt road, and from there you can take any side road and find places to camp. I named one "the Pit" because of a big hole next to the flat area. Another one was "the junkyard", further in, and had some appliances dumped to the side of a flat area. Lots of choices. :)

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 7:09 am
by CSF
You could also stay in the Buttermilk country above Bishop. To get there from Bishop:
take West Line St.(state hwy 168) and drive west towards the sierra crest about 7 miles. Turn right on Buttermilk Rd. which is a dirt road. There are a lot of "open" campsites all over the place just off the buttermilk rd.

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 6:43 pm
by hikerduane
Up the road towards N and S Lake before it really starts climbing, you can camp along the creek to your right, keep your eyes peeled for greenery, might get some kids offroading or whatever they do out in the country. :unibrow: North of Mammoth, 5 miles or so, along 395, take the Deadman Creek CG road just before the maintenance station and drive back in there 5 miles west or so. Bike riding in there and a free cg w/toliet. Up out of Independence, just after the road to Shepard Pass, look for the dirtroad to the right, on the other side of the road that says "No camping", park along side the ditch. Quiet. No facilities. You'll hear the motorhomes thump, thumping over the cracks in the road on there way up to Onion Valley. No all night traffic at least on the Thursday night I was there.

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:19 pm
by DirtDiver
Thank you all for the info. I appreciate it! Hike on!

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:34 pm
by TonyC
This is some good information. I may be planning a trip to the Eastern Sierra in a few weeks and will be sleeping in an SUV most nights. So I'm always looking for areas to park and sleep if the formal campgrounds are full, or too far away, etc.

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:22 pm
by Snow Nymph
I almost never camp at campgrounds. So many places to camp in an SUV! :D

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:13 pm
by hikerduane
Except for TM bpers cg, where you are with your own kin, I camp out in the boonies if I can like Snow Nymph. Hate paying money, save it for new gear and no restrictions.