Inyo National Forest is a vast and spectacular United States National Forest in the eastern Sierra Nevada of California, with a small portion extending into western Nevada. Established in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt, it covers approximately 1.9 million acres (about 2,974 square miles) and stretches roughly 165 miles along the California-Nevada border, between the Los Angeles and Reno areas.
It is often described as a “land of superlatives” due to its extraordinary natural features:
- Mount Whitney — the highest peak in the contiguous United States at 14,494–14,505 feet.
- The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains, home to the oldest living trees on Earth (some over 4,000–5,000 years old).
- Mono Lake, one of the oldest inland lakes in North America.
- Dramatic eastern Sierra escarpment, high desert landscapes, glaciers, alpine meadows, and rugged peaks.
Geography and Ecology
The forest primarily occupies the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada and parts of the White Mountains. Elevations range from about 4,000 feet in the Owens Valley to over 14,000 feet at the highest summits. It includes nine designated wilderness areas protecting over 800,000 acres, such as the popular John Muir Wilderness.
Despite its name, much of the forest is relatively sparsely wooded compared to other national forests, as it encompasses significant high-desert and alpine terrain. It features over 400 lakes, more than 1,100 miles of rivers and streams, and diverse habitats supporting species like bighorn sheep, golden trout, and unique high-elevation flora.
Recreation and Attractions
Inyo National Forest offers year-round outdoor opportunities:
- Hiking and Backpacking — Iconic trails, including routes to Mount Whitney. The John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail pass through sections of the forest.
- Winter Sports — Skiing and snowboarding at resorts like Mammoth Mountain, plus groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
- Water Activities — Excellent fishing, boating, and scenic visits to Mono Lake.
- Other Pursuits — Mountain biking, off-roading (with thousands of miles of roads and trails), camping, horseback riding, and stargazing.
Popular destinations within or adjacent to the forest include Mammoth Lakes, the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (Schulman Grove), and various scenic drives and campgrounds.
Management and Access
The forest is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and divided into northern and southern zones with multiple ranger districts. It borders areas near Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, making it part of a larger spectacular recreational region. Wilderness permits are often required for certain areas, especially for overnight trips.
Inyo National Forest stands out for its raw, high-elevation beauty, stark contrasts between desert and alpine environments, and world-renowned natural wonders. It provides a remote yet accessible escape for those seeking adventure, solitude, and awe-inspiring scenery in California’s Eastern Sierra. For the latest conditions, permits, and details, visit the official USDA Forest Service site at fs.usda.gov/inyo.
Inyo National Forest Campgrounds
Inyo National Forest Campgrounds offer a wide variety of scenic, developed camping experiences across nearly 2 million acres of the eastern Sierra Nevada and White Mountains in California. Managed by the USDA Forest Service, these campgrounds provide access to stunning landscapes including alpine lakes, meadows, volcanic features (like Devils Postpile), high peaks such as Mount Whitney, ancient bristlecone pines, and trails in wilderness areas like the John Muir and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
 Aspen CampgroundAspen Campground, located in the Inyo National Forest near Rock Creek and Tom’s Place, California, is a small, high-altitude campground at approximately 8,100 feet elevation.… |
 Big Meadow CampgroundBig Meadow Campground, located in the Inyo National Forest near Rock Creek and Tom’s Place, California, is a serene, high-altitude campground situated at approximately 8,600… |
 Big Pine Creek Campground – Inyo National ForestInyo National Forest Campground Big Pine Creek Campground is a scenic, family-friendly campground located in the Inyo National Forest, about 11 miles west of the… |
Bishop Park Campground – Inyo National ForestInyo National Forest Campground Bishop Park Campground is a scenic, high-elevation campground in Inyo National Forest along the Middle Fork of Bishop Creek, just west… |
Bitterbrush Campground – Inyo National ForestInyo National Forest Campground Bitterbrush Campground is a scenic, year-round campground in the Inyo National Forest, located along Bishop Creek in the Eastern Sierra Nevada… |
 Coldwater CampgroundColdwater Campground is a campground located in the Mammoth Lakes area of the High Sierra in Mono County, California. Lake Mary is the largest and… |
 Convict Lake CampgroundConvict Lake Campground is a wonderful location to camp in the amazing High Sierra Mountain near Convict Lake in Mono County, California. The campground is… |
 East Fork CampgroundEast Fork Campground, located in the Inyo National Forest near Rock Creek and Tom’s Place, California, is a scenic, high-altitude campground at approximately 8,900 feet… |
 Ellery Camp CampgroundEllery Campground, also known as Ellery Lake Campground, is a small, high-altitude campground located in the Inyo National Forest near Tioga Pass, California, just outside… |
Four Jeffrey Campground – Inyo National ForestInyo National Forest Campground Four Jeffrey Campground (often called "4 Jeffrey") is a popular, large developed campground in Inyo National Forest near Bishop, California. It… |
 French Camp CampgroundCamping in the High Sierras is not as easy as it once was, however this fact offers one the ability to explore and remove oneself… |
Grandview Campground – Inyo National ForestInyo National Forest Campground Grandview Campground (sometimes styled as Grand View) is a serene, primitive campground in Inyo National Forest within California’s White Mountains, about… |
 Grant Lake CampgroundGrant Lake Campground, June Lake Loop, Mono County, California Grant Lake Campground and marina is the northern most campground of the June Lake Loop located… |
Grays Meadows CampgroundInyo National Forest Campground Grays Meadows Campground (often referred to as part of the Grays Meadows complex) is a scenic campground in Inyo National Forest,… |
 Gull Lake CampgroundGull Lake Campground is a small, shaded and private campground in the June Lake Loop of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Gull lake is just over… |
Holiday CampgroundInyo National Forest Campground Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains within the Inyo National Forest, Holiday Campground (often referred to locally… |
 Iris Meadow CampgroundIris Meadow Campground, nestled in the Inyo National Forest near Rock Creek and Tom’s Place, California, is a charming high-altitude campground at approximately 8,300 feet… |
 June Lake CampgroundJune Lake Campground is nestled next to June Lake In the Sierra Nevada of California and the scenery of the Ansel Adams Wilderness. The Campground… |
Kennedy Meadows Campground – Inyo National ForestInyo National Forest Campground Kennedy Meadows Campground is a scenic, remote campground in the Inyo National Forest, situated in the Kern Plateau region of the… |
 Lake George CampgroundLake George Campground is a beautiful campground located in the Mammoth Lakes area, above Lake Mary in the High Sierra in Mono County, California. Lake… |
 Lake Mary CampgroundLake Mary Campground is a beautiful campground located in the Mammoth Lakes area of the High Sierra in Mono County, California. Lake Mary is the… |
Oh! Ridge CampgroundOh! Ridge Campground is the first campground in the June Lake Loop located in the Eastern High Sierra in Mono County, California. The campgrounds is… |
Onion Valley Campground – Inyo National ForestInyo National Forest Campground Onion Valley Campground is a scenic, high-elevation campground in the Inyo National Forest, located in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains near… |
 Palisades CampgroundPalisades Group Campground, located in the Inyo National Forest near Rock Creek and Tom’s Place, California, is a high-altitude group camping destination at 8,800 feet… |
 Pine Grove CampgroundPine Grove Campground, located in the Inyo National Forest near Rock Creek and Tom’s Place, California, is a scenic, high-altitude campground at approximately 9,300 feet… |
Pumice Flat Campground – Inyo National ForestInyo National Forest Campground Pumice Flat Campground is a scenic, first-come, first-served campground in the Reds Meadow Valley area of Inyo National Forest, near Mammoth… |
Reds Meadow Campground – Inyo National ForestInyo National Forest Campground Reds Meadow Campground is a scenic, high-elevation campground nestled in the Reds Meadow Valley within Inyo National Forest, near Mammoth Lakes,… |
 Rock Creek Lake CampgroundRock Creek Lake Campground, located in Mono County, California, is a picturesque alpine lake set amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Eastern Sierra Nevada. At… |
 Saddlebag Lake CampgroundSaddlebag Lake Campground, nestled in the Inyo National Forest at 10,087 feet above sea level, is California’s highest drive-to campground and a hidden gem just… |
Sage Flat Campground – Inyo National ForestInyo National Forest Campground Sage Flat Campground is a scenic, first-come, first-served campground in Inyo National Forest along Big Pine Creek in the Eastern Sierra… |
Sherwin Creek Campground – Inyo National ForestInyo National Forest Campground Sherwin Creek Campground is a popular, scenic campground in the Inyo National Forest, located in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains just… |
 Silver Lake CampgroundSilver Lake Campground, June Lake Loop, Mono County, California Silver Lake Campground is nestled next to Silver Lake In the Sierra Nevada of California and… |
 Twin Lakes CampgroundTwin Lakes Campground is a beautiful campground located in the Mammoth Lakes area of the High Sierra in Mono County, California. The campground offers views… |
 Upper Pine Grove CampgroundUpper Pine Grove Campground, located in the Inyo National Forest near Rock Creek and Tom’s Place, California, is a small, rustic campground nestled at an… |
Upper Sage Flat Campground – Inyo National forestInyo National Forest Campground Upper Sage Flat Campground is a scenic, family-friendly campground in Inyo National Forest, located about 9–10 miles west of the small… |
Upper Soda Springs Campground – Inyo National ForestInyo National Forest Campground Upper Soda Springs Campground is a scenic, first-come, first-served campground in the Reds Meadow area of Inyo National Forest, near Mammoth… |
 Whitney Portal CampgroundWhitney Portal Campground is the campground in the foothills of the High Sierra, and serves as the gateway for many hikers up Mount Whitney in… |