Mono County, Eastern California
Mono Lake Camping
Greater Mono Lake Region Picnic Areas
- Mono County Park
- North end of Mono Lake, just off Hwy. 395
- Restrooms, Piped Water
- Picnic Tables, Lake Views
- Boardwalk
- Summer Bird Walks
- Saddlebag Day Use Picnic and Fishing Site
- Saddlebag Lake
- Piped Water, Vault Toilet
- Lake View, Fishing
- Mono Lake Visitors Center
- Not a designated picnic area, but it works well
- Piped Water, Restrooms
- Visitors Center, Lake Views
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Hiking Trails and Swimming Beaches
The South Tufa Trail is a 1 - 2 mile round trip hiking trail. To reach the trailhead from Highway 395, drive 5 miles east on Highway 120 to the signed turnoff for the South Tufa Area - Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve. Follow that road one mile to a parking area at the trailhead.
The South Tufa trail heads past tufa formations and along the shore for views of the lake. You can follow the trail as far as Navy Beach. Navy Beach is the lake's best swimming area.
the South Tufa Recreation Area requires a $3 fee for those 16 and older. Guided tours are available at 10 AM and 6 PM
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Camping at Mono Lake and in Nearby Lee Vining Canyon
Dispersed camping is allowed in the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area at Mono Lake. The Scenic Area surrounds the Tufa State Natural Reserve. The Tufa Natural Reserve consists of state owned land below the elevation of 6,417 feet, the original lake shoreline. Camping is allowed outside that area, above the exposed lakebed. Campfire permits are required.
People are required to stay one mile from Paoha and Negit Islands and other islets between April 1 and August 1 to protect nesting birds.
Campgrounds are found outside the immediate Mono Lake area. The closest campgrounds are in the Lee Vining Creek canyon and out toward Saddlebag Lake. None of those campgrounds offer reservations. Farther south on Highway 395 consider the June Lake Loop.
Lee Vining Creek Area Campgrounds
Aspen Campground
Location: Lee Vining Canyon, 5 miles east of Hwy. 395
Campground Facilities: 56 Sites, Trailers up to 40', Piped Water, Vault Toilets
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Tables, Fire Rings with Grills, Bear Box
Reservations: None
Fees: $14 per Night
Big Bend Campground
Location: Lee Vining Canyon, 6 miles east of Hwy. 395
Campground Facilities: 17 Sites, Trailers up to 30'. Piped Water, Vault Toilets
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Table, Fire Pit, Bear Locker
Reservations: None
Fees: $19 per Night
Ellery Campground
Location: West end of Ellery Lake, 10 miles west of Hwy. 395.
Campground Facilities: 12 Sites, Trailers up to 30', Vault Toilets, Piped Water
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Tables, Fire Rings with Grills, Bear Box
Reservations: None
Fees: $19 per Night
Nearby Attractions: Yosemite National Park
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Junction Campground
Location: Lee Vining Canyon
Campground Facilities: 13 Sites, Vault Toilets, Piped Water
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Tables, Fire Rings with Grills, Bear Box
Reservations: None
Fees: $14 per Night
Nearby Attractions: Yosemite National Park
Lower Lee Vining Campground
Location: Lee Vining Canyon
Campground Facilities: 60 Sites, No Water, Vault Toilets
Campsite Amenities: Bear Boxes, Picnic Tables, Fire Rings with Grills
Reservations: None
Fees: $14
Saddlebag Lake Campground
Location: Saddlebag Lake
Campground Facilities: 20 Sites plus 1 Group Area, Piped Water, Vault Toilets, Small RVs
Campsite Amenities: Bear Boxes, Picnic Tables, Fire Rings with Grills
Reservations: None, except for group site (1-877-444-6777)
Fees: $19 for Single Site, $60 for Group Site
Nearby Attractions: Saddlebag Lake, Yosemite National Park
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Sawmill Walk-in Campground
Location: Near Saddlebag Lake
Campground Facilities: 12 Sites, No Water, Vault Toilets
Campsite Amenities: Bear Boxes, Picnic Tables, Fire Rings with Grills
Reservations: None
Fees: $14
Nearby Attractions: Saddlebag Lake, Yosemite National Park
Tioga Lake Campground
Location: At Tioga Lake, 11 miles west of Hwy. 395
Campground Facilities: 13 Sites, Piped Water, Vault Toilets, Small RVs
Campsite Amenities: Bear Boxes, Picnic Tables, Fire Rings with Grills
Reservations: None
Fees: $19
Nearby Attractions: Tioga Lake, Yosemite National Park
Moraine Overflow Campground
Location: Lee Vining Creek, only open as needed
Campground Facilities: 27 Sites, No Water, Vault Toilets
Campsite Amenities: Bear Boxes, Picnic Tables, Fire Rings with Grills
Reservations: None
Fees: $14
Mono Vista RV Park
57 Beaver Lane, Lee Vining, CA
(760) 647-6401
RV Park Facilities: Restrooms, Showers, WiFi available
RV Sites:
June Lake RV Park
155 Crawford Ave., June Lake, CA
Located between June Lake and Gull Lake, not on the lake
(800) 648-5863 June Lake RV Park
RV Park Facilities: Fish Cleaning Station, Laundry, (No restrooms)
For June Lake RV Park lodging offerings, see June Lake Lodging
RV Sites: Full Hook-ups, Cable TV
Prices subject to change.
Paradise Shores RV Park & Marina
2399 Hwy. 182, Bridgeport, CA
Located at Bridgeport Reservoir
(760) 932-7735 Paradise Shores RV Park
RV Park Facilities: Free WiFi, Showers, Laundry, Sun Deck, BBQ, Propane, Marina and Boat Rentals, Rental Trailers ($80 - $110 per night)
RV and Tent Sites: 37 RV Sites, Full Hook-ups, 30 Amp, Cable TV; 5 Tent Sites
Rates: RV Sites $32.15 per Night, $195 per Week; Tent Sites $19.64 per night
Prices subject to change.
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Doc & Al's Robinson Creek RV Park
85 Twin Lakes Road, Bridgeport, CA
(760) 932-7051
RV Park Facilities: Cabins, RV Sites, Tent Sites, Open May 1 to October 30
RV Sites: Full Hook-ups
Silver Lake Resort and RV Park
6957 Highway 158, June Lake, CA
(760) 648-7525
Website: Silver Lake Resort and RV Park
Resort Facilities: Cafe, Store, Cabins, Boat Rentals, Laundry, Restrooms, Showers
For Silver Lake Resort lodging offerings, see June Lake Lodging
RV Sites: Full Hook-ups, 30 Amp, Some Shade
2013 Rates: $35 per night, $228 per week, $685 per month
Pine Cliff Resort
June Lake Loop: from Highway 158, turn right on Northshore Dr., then left on Pine Cliff Rd.
(760) 648-7558
Website: Pine Cliff Resort
Resort Facilities: 250 RV Sites and Tent Sites, Restrooms, Showers, Store, Laundry, Outdoor Sports, Playground, Fish Cleaning Station, ATM
RV Sites: Full Hook-ups
Rates: Full Hook-up $28 per night, Water and Electric Only $23, Tent Sites $18 (No Credit Cards or Checks upon arrival)