Much of the Mammoth Lakes area, on both sides of the Sierra Crest, is on Inyo National Forest land. A small but prominent exception is Devils Postpile National Monument, west of the Sierra Crest, which is administered by the National Park Service. The area's campgrounds generally close during September and October for the winter and reopen for the season (subject to snowpack) from April through June.
Devils Postpile Campground opens for the season around mid-June and closes in mid-October. There are 21 campsites, first-come first-served (no reservations), and they cost $14 per night. There are restrictions on summer driving to Devils Postpile.
The Inyo National Forest Web site contains current detailed information about camping in the Mammoth Lakes area. Facilities in the Mammoth Lakes area (east of Minaret Summit) include Coldwater, Convict Lake, Lake George, Lake Mary, New Shady Rest, Old Shady Rest, Pine City, Sherwin Creek, and Twin Lakes campgrounds. All of the foregoing except Pine City Campground accept RVs. Facilities east of Minaret Summit include Agnew Meadows, Agnew Meadows Group, Agnew Meadows Horse, Minaret Falls, Pumice Flat, Pumice Flat Group, Reds Meadow, and Upper Soda Springs campgrounds. There are restrictions on summer driving west of Minaret Summit.
For National Forest maps and books, see the National Forest Store.
For more information, contact an Inyo National Forest Visitor Center.
