Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Off Topic - Eastern Sierras Camping

It's sort of Whitney related... I have to take my wife camping in July or August to make up for the "boys" weekend on Whitney.

Her demands are flushing toilets, trees, and either a stream or lake nearby. I've never been camping in the Eastern Sierras, so I'm flying blind. I was thinking of Four Jeffrey camground, or something around the Mammoth lakes area. Can anyone give some good recommendations/reviews?

Last year we went to Idyllwild with some other couples. The ladies liked it fine, but I didn't care much for camping right next to the town's public works department. Also, they had a ban on campfires, so we didn't get the full experience.

There are LOTS of options, but one of my favorites is Rock Creek Lake Campground, up Rock Creek Rd at Tom's Place, between Bishop and Mammoth. Nice lake, plenty of dayhike opportunities, short drive down the hill for a beer at Tom's Place. It does sit high, at around 10,000 feet elevation.

JoshCube,

Four Jeffrey is a good choice.You can reserve a spot along the creek,shower at the Bishop Creek Lodge,along with food,supplies and a bar.Same at Rock Creek.Convict Lake has a nice campground,showers at the resort,and also a great restaurant.All around Mammoth and June Lakes for camping,supplies and showers.One of my favorites is Trumbull Lake for camping.Killer campground with a great lake.Its right next to Virginia Lakes Resort which also has a restaurant and showers.I camp,hike and fish from Lone Pine to Bridgeport regularly for the last 30 years,have written many articles and enjoy it a great deal.You could rent a cabin a many of these locations pretty reasonably and have all of the comfort of home with all the beauty that surrounds you.

Based on your requirements I would suggest "upper Twin Lakes" campground, It is a short distance out of town. (During the winter the Cross Country ski center is based directly below the campground)

It is forest service campground set in a very wooded area and has flush toilets and running water in the bathrooms. There is a small store next to the entrance that has hot showers, and as the name implys Twin Lakes is next door. There are also several other lakes very close by, the area is known as the "lakes district".

There are campfire rings in every campsite and the town and its offerings are a couple of miles away.

I often stay there the night before leaving on a backpacking trip or the night I return. I have also spent a few weekends fishing in the lakes.

June Lake Campground is the ticket. There are showers adjacent to the campground, I think the toilets are flushable and it's within walking distance to restaurants, bars and a market in case you run out of beer,chips and ice.

Just bring the industrial strength DEET wherever you go.