Camping

nchacon1984

nchacon1984

New member
Whats up socal peeps? I'm planning on a camping trip towards or around mammoth lakes or june lake sometime in august, but I am curious if i have to reserve a spot or can just show up and set up camp. Most sites I've looked up, I've been directed to the recreation.gov site for reservation. I know a good amount of you guys camp a lot so some advice would be appreciated or suggestions to spots in that directions. Thanks in advance.
 
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I’ve always lived by the rule of first come first serve for camp spots. Every place has a few set aside that I have been to. Check the site and see if they list any FCFS. It’s worked out amazing so far except for that one time... we still got a spot, but it was grown over with weeds, had what had to be a hornets mud pit and there were fire ants everywhere. But we still got a spot and we still had fun.

There is always reserveAmerica if you want a actual reservation. But if it’s a small group, you should be fine. I do call ahead and talk to the ranger or groundskeeper for were I am thinking of going.

How long is the campout?


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visualfxengineer said:
I’ve always lived by the rule of first come first serve for camp spots. Every place has a few set aside that I have been to. Check the site and see if they list any FCFS. It’s worked out amazing so far except for that one time... we still got a spot, but it was grown over with weeds, had what had to be a hornets mud pit and there were fire ants everywhere. But we still got a spot and we still had fun.

There is always reserveAmerica if you want a actual reservation. But if it’s a small group, you should be fine. I do call ahead and talk to the ranger or groundskeeper for were I am thinking of going.

How long is the campout?


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Click to expand...

That's comforting to know. Ill check the sites and call around before we plan anything. Were thinking 3 day 2 nights with a group of 5-6.
 
A lot of campgrounds have “overflow” which usually works for big groups. Or go dispersed camping out in the wilderness.
 
Check out this for some info:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/inyo


Also for dispersed camping in Inyo NF
https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/inyo/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=20228&actid=34

I always preferred dispersed camping as that's why we have owned 3 different 4runners now. It's always an adventure finding new places and heading off the pavement.

I would suggest looking around online or calling the National Forest Service and getting a few solid maps with BLM / NF / Private land boundaries and fire roads. That's always a good start to finding your own private spot away from the normal camp grounds.
Once you have a general area you're thinking of hitting I usually use a combination of the maps, google maps satellite view and Gia GPS web version to plan a few routes to the spot. Never know when a new locked gate is put up or a road washes out badly and there is no work around for it.

Once I have a spot and a few routes I download it all to my devices (Google Maps and Gia GPS Maps) as well as surrounding area maps as cell service is always spotty. Once out there I hook up my GPS: https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Portable-GLONASS-Receiver-Vehicle/dp/B00AYAZENY
to my device (Phone and/or tablet) and then head out to my pre planned spot. If I get there and it sucks, always have a few backup spots planned and head to those. Gia GPS is nice as during the trip, if the wife and kids see other spots they think would work it's just a touch and hold on the Gia to set a waypoint and put in some notes for later.

Frequently we'll have a spot planned and once we get out there we'll find something much better as wheels and eyes on the ground is always better than a top down satellite view.

That entire area out there is awesome and I hope you have tons of fun.
 
nchacon1984 said:
Whats up socal peeps? I'm planning on a camping trip towards or around mammoth lakes or june lake sometime in august, but I am curious if i have to reserve a spot or can just show up and set up camp. Most sites I've looked up, I've been directed to the recreation.gov site for reservation. I know a good amount of you guys camp a lot so some advice would be appreciated or suggestions to spots in that directions. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...



How was the trip?


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good choice. laurel is on my to-do list, but not until my kid is a little more sturdy. probably next spring/summer.
 
Kageken said:
Me too, was super hazy because of all the smoke.
Click to expand...

June lake is amazing, we were just in the Sequoias and we were due to go to Yosemite, the fire was too bad and the smoke was rolling South east, so check the conditions before you go. We ended up packing up and headed west to the beach.

For the most part it is pay to stay near June, first come first serve. But you can dry camp most anywhere around the area.
 
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CalicoSR5 said:
For the most part it is pay to stay near June, first come first serve. But you can dry camp most anywhere around the area.
Click to expand...



We went dispersed camping for $free.99. Saw a total of two other persons come near our camp that whole weekend. They were just through hiking.

June lake was amazing as were the others on the loop. Being my first time there, I can only imagine the view sans fires. I will definitely be back to check it out.

Ended up driving around for 15 miles on forest roads with another 4runner chasing tail lights in the dust. Had a blast. I did see quite a few small camps off the scenic trail in random turnouts. There were many potential campsites out there. Only time we really saw anyone was at June lake and the silver lake store.
 
CalicoSR5 said:
June lake is amazing, we were just in the Sequoias and we were due to go to Yosemite, the fire was too bad and the smoke was rolling South east, so check the conditions before you go. We ended up packing up and headed west to the beach.

For the most part it is pay to stay near June, first come first serve. But you can dry camp most anywhere around the area.
Click to expand...

We were staying at Convict lake for a couple days. We did a hike somewhere around June or mono lake, I can't remember which one. Great area though as you were saying. We ended up going to the ranger station to figure out where the smoke was going and headed south. Camped at onion valley I believe it was - by independence.

pic from Robinson Lake, 1.4mi from the campground.
 

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onion valley rules. chill campground with incredible hikes and not usually busy. never been to lake robinson, looks nice!
 
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