camping help- eastern sierra
 

I want to take my girl scout troop (highschoolers) to see Mono Lake and Bodie this summer. What are some good campgrounds nearby that at least have water? We will have 13 people or so and I don't want to deal with hauling water for that many people. I didn't want to go as far south as June Lake, but it looks as if that's the closest area that has campgrounds with some amenities. I suppose we could include Mammoth Lakes in our itinerary if we go that far south. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

There are federal campgrounds in the Mono Lake Lee Vining area.

Saddlebag Lake up off 120 (Tioga Pass) Vault toilets, group sites and water.

Ellery Lake also off 120 has vault toilets water and group sites. The problem with both of these is there are no reservations.

I think going to Silver LAke Campground at June lake would be the best for your group. Water, flush toilets, lots to do. Takes reservations:

http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Si...ex=CampingSpot

Here is a link to campgrounds on federal land out of Bridgeport:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/recreat..._camping.shtml

And near the bottom of this page you can see more about the June LAke and Lee Vining campgrounds.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreat...pgrounds.shtml

Make sure and get campground reservations before going. Saddleback Lake fills up very quickly because of it's proximity to Yosemite. The federal campground at the base of Tioga Pass is less likely to fill up because it's not easily seen from the road. I certainly agree with going to a place where you can be guaranteed campsites for a large group. I believe there are limits on the numbers of campers/site, so you may need two or even three.

There is a state park in the area (passed it by 20 years ago) which has a natural hot springs pool. As a state park it probably takes reservations and might also have group campsites for which you might qualify.

Check out Annetts Mono Village. It is out of Bridgeport on Twin Lakes road. The campground is at Upper Twin Lake. It is absolutely gorgeous, has restrooms, showers, water, a little general store, a marina, etc. It is a large campground and you don't need reservations. We camp there every year and we have gone to Bodie and Mono Lake from there before.

Thanks so much for your suggestions! I agree that having reservations is a must. Does anyone have info about Crags campground near Twin Lakes? That one and the June Lake campgrounds do have some availability left, but clearly I need to get on it soon.

I found the state park, but it may be farther north than you may want, on the other hand, it has the hot springs.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=508

Did you put your dates into Recreation.gov and come up with those two?

We stayed at Twin Lakes last summer (at Tamarack Lodge, not camping) and walked or biked through a campground every day. Must be the Crags one? It was nice---that would be a good spot, but it is a bit of a drive from there to Bodie, etc.

Wouldn't June Lake be closer than Mammoth Lakes to where you will be going?

What about the group camp up near Saddlebag Lake? The website says it has flush toilets and water.

OK, maybe you have already found this, but here is a list of the federal campgrounds near Mono Lake/Lee Vining, with those that take reservations indicated:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreat...nds.shtml#mono

I'll be back with a couple of private campgrounds---more expensive, but they do provide showers. (I have to get out of this website and go to the other one; my computer is acting up).

Exactly when in the summer are you planning to do this? If Tioga Pass is still closed, you will not be able to drive up the road to Saddleback Lake area.

Private campgrounds (with tent sites, not all RV's) near Lee Vining:

http://www.leevining.com/rvparks.htm

You should contact the Mono Lake Committee and see if they can direct you to a guided hike, birding expedition, or kayak trip on the lake for your girls:

www.monolake.org

The Virginia Creek Settlement listed in enzian's post has a small campground but they also have tent cabins that are pretty reasonable and might offer more comfort for the girls. This is the closest campground to Bodie and it has a restaurant too.

Other than that, the campgrounds near Twin Lakes might be best and they take reservations. Saddlebag Lake has a group site that takes reservations but the setting is over 10,000 feet - might be a little chilly for the girls.

Twin Lakes is popular. I also recall a campground at Lundy Lake. There are some pretty cool beaver dams there. There is also a forest ranger station near Bridgeport; you could try calling them.