Category: Campgrounds

Campgrounds are serene havens nestled in natural landscapes, offering a rustic retreat for outdoor enthusiasts and travelers alike. Surrounded by towering trees, babbling brooks, or expansive meadows, campgrounds provide a tranquil setting to pitch tents or park RVs, fostering a connection with nature. Trails for hiking or biking often wind through these sites, leading adventurers to hidden vistas or peaceful lakeshores. Campfire circles crackle with warmth in the evenings, where stories are shared under starlit skies. Facilities may range from basic amenities like fire pits and picnic tables to more modern conveniences such as restrooms with showers and designated cooking areas. Whether for a weekend escape or an extended wilderness adventure, campgrounds offer a refreshing escape from urban life, inviting visitors to unwind and recharge in the great outdoors.

Lake George Campground

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Lake George Campground is a beautiful campground located in the Mammoth Lakes area, above Lake Mary in the High Sierra in Mono County, California. Lake George one of the smaller lakes and campgrounds of the eleven lakes in the Mammoth Area. The campground is situated on hillside overlooking Lake George. 

Lake George Campgrond, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, California
Lake George Campgrond, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, California

The campground offers views of the lake, and is quite popular due to its location on the mountain. The lake offers tremendous fishing and opportunities for hiking and enjoying the picturesque scenery. The fishing at Lake Mary features Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout.  Jeffrey and lodgepole pines shade the campground and bald eagles are often seen soaring high above. The peak season is from late May to early September each year.

The campground offers access to many nearby activities including Devils Postpile, Reds Meadow, Rainbow falls and Hot Creek. Campsites typically share parking and the sites are reasonably flat and large granite boulders. Tall pine trees offer shade from the high altitude sun.

This campground is in bear country and typically bears activity is fairly high. All food and scented items must be stored in the lockers. All trash must be disposed of in the bear proof trash receptacles. Do not store food, trash or scented items in your vehicle.

Campground Summary

NameLake George Campground
LocationMammoth Lakes, Mono County, California
Latitude, Longitude37.6030476, -119.0121125
Elevation9060 feet
Number of Sites25
AmenitiesCampfires Permitted, Flushable Toilets, Pet-friendly, Picnic Areas, RV Sites, Reservations Accepted, Showers, Tent Sites, Tables, Bear Boxes

Lake George Campground Map

References

Lake Mary Campground

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Lake Mary Campground is a beautiful campground located in the Mammoth Lakes area of the High Sierra in Mono County, California. Lake Mary is the largest and the most developed of the eleven lakes in the Mammoth Area. The campground is situated on both sides of the road at the northwestern corner of Lake Mary and nearby Lake Mamie. 

Lake Mary Campground, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, California
Lake Mary Campground, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, California

The campground offers views of the lake, and is quite popular due to its location on the mountain. The lake offers tremendous fishing and opportunities for hiking and enjoying the picturesque scenery. The fishing at Lake Mary features Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout and on more than one trip, my evenings were spent watching sunsets while fly fishing. The peak season is from late May to early September each year.

The campground offers access to many nearby activities including Devils Postpile, Reds Meadow,, Rainbow falls and Hot Creek. Two boat ramps and marinas allow for boating however the 10 mph limit on the lake keeps the lake angler friendly. Campsites typically share parking and the sites are reasonably flat. Tall pine trees offer shade from the high altitude sun.

Lake Mary, Mammoth Lakes, California - Photo by Paul Wight
Lake Mary, Mammoth Lakes, California – Photo by Paul Wight

This campground is in bear country and typically bears activity is fairly high. All food and scented items must be stored in the lockers. All trash must be disposed of in the bear proof trash receptacles. Do not store food, trash or scented items in your vehicle.

Campground Summary

NameLake Mary Campground
LocationMammoth Lakes, Mono County, California
Latitude, Longitude37.6074757, -119.0088844,
Elevation8950 feet
Number of Sites48
AmenitiesCampfires Permitted, Flushable Toilets, Pet-friendly, Picnic Areas, RV Sites, Reservations Accepted, Showers (at Lake George), Tent Sites, Tables, Bear Boxes

Lake Mary Campground Map

References

Willow Beach Campground

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Willow Beach Campground is a full service campground located near the eastern shore of the Colorado River, in Mohave County Arizona. Willow Beach is a small boat ramp on the Arizona side of the Colorado. The boat ramp allows launches into the river and access to Lake Mohave, downstream and Hoover Damn looms very large up river.

Willow Beach is a wonderful location to participate in all water sports or just sit by the Colorado River and have a picnic. The location offers a great access points and offers some scenic views of Black Canyon gorge. The campground is located slightly above the river and does offer River views.

The Hoover Damn Bypass Bridge viewed from the Colorado River is accessible from Willow Beach
The Hoover Damn Bypass Bridge viewed from the Colorado River

The campgrounds offers year round enjoyment to the area. The area is known for extreme hot temperatures so be prepared! One trip canoeing below Hoover Damn to Willow Beach we pulled the canoes from the river at 121 F.

Campground Summary

NameWillow Beach Campground
LocationColorado River, Mohave County, Arizona
Longitude, Latitude35.87338834278191, -114.65113899560673
Elevation855
Sites66, 38 RV / Trailer, 37 Campsites
AmenitiesBBQ Grills, Campground Host, Campsite Tables, Drinking Water, Electrical Hookup, Fire Pit, Firewood Available, Rentals, Restrooms (Flush Toilets), RV Hookups, Showers, Vending Machines, WiFi

Willow Beach Campground Map

References

Whitney Portal Campground

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Whitney Portal Campground is the campground in the foothills of the High Sierra, and serves as the gateway for many hikers up Mount Whitney in Inyo County, California. The campground sits at high elevation at over 8100 feet above sea level. It is nestled among pine trees and Lone Pine Creek offers a babbling creek, the rushing waters of which the break the sound of the wind through the pine needles.

Mt Whitney looms large over the High Sierra, out site of Lone Pine, California
Mt Whitney looms large over the High Sierra, out site of Lone Pine, California

The campground is a prime camping place, and located at the base of the tallest peak in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney. Mount Whitney stands at 14,505 feet above sea level and is considered the king of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The campground has 43 sites which allow access to the John Muir Wilderness and its hiking and back packing trails. Each campsite is nestled among the boulders in a mature pine forest.

A rushing Lone Pine Creek near Whitney Portal Campground
A rushing Lone Pine Creek near Whitney Portal Campground

The campground sees heavy use in the late spring and summer months. The elevation helps break the heat from the valley below. Due to its location and popularity, the campground is known to have bear activity. All precautions should be taken with respect to food and trash and bear locker are provided. In addition to Black Bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin and pika are known to be in the area, so keep your eyes open.

Whitney Portal Campground Summary

NameWhitney Portal Campground
LocationLone Pine, Inyo County, California
Latitude, Longitude
Sites43
Elevation8100 ft
AmenitiesWater, Vault Toilets, Bear Lockers, Picnic table, fire ring, no hook-ups

Directions

From Highway 395 in Lone Pine, California turn west (at the stoplight) onto Whitney Portal Road. The campground is 12.5 miles from Lone Pine and about 3400 feet in elevation gain.

Whitney Portal Campground Map

References

Tuttle Creek Campground

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Tuttle Creek Campground is a small campground located on the eastern Sierras near Lone Pine, in Inyo County, California. The campground is located just below the foothills of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Amazing sunrises and sunset greet the camper who choses this place to vacation.

Tuttle Creek is located just five miles away from Lone Pine and the Alabama hills are even closer. There is a group camp available and also two horse corrals are available.

Tuttle Creek is a great place to camp when exploring up or down the beautiful 395 highway. It offers a jumping off place to travel into Death Valley or up to Mt. Whitney. The tranquility and scenery may want to stay the full 14 day limit, and yet, the Eastern Sierra light will entice you to leave and further explore.

Campground Summary

NameTuttle Creek Campground
LocationLone Pine, Inyo County, California
Latitude, Longitude36.5649341,-118.1261991
Number of Sites83
Elevation4658 ft
Amenitiesvault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings and lantern holders, seasonal water

Directions


From Highway 395, drive 3.5 miles west of Lone Pine on Whitney Portal Road, then 1.5 miles south on Horseshow Meadow Road, follow signs to the campground.

Tuttle Creek Campground Map

References