MCGEE CREEK
Inyo National Forest, CAMcGee Campground puts you between Bishop and Mammoth Lakes with the John Muir Wilderness practically at your tent flap. The 28 paved sites sit in open sagebrush country at 7,600 feet, where McGee Creek runs alongside camp and high peaks fill the horizon. It's built for horses but welcomes everyone looking for Sierra access without the crowded campground circus.
Campground Details
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 28
- 💵Fee per Night
- $27
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 🏔️Elevation
- 7,600 ft
- 📍GPS
- 37.56444, -118.78472
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
- 📞Phone
- 760-935-4213
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The sites spread across sunny, open terrain dotted with sagebrush and bordered by aspen-lined meadows. Each of the 28 spots comes with a picnic shelter — useful when afternoon thunderheads roll in from the peaks. Some sites sit right along McGee Creek's banks, while others face the high country views. The paved roads and spurs make it RV-friendly, though the horse-oriented design means plenty of space between neighbors.
Bear-proof lockers handle food storage, and firewood is available on-site. The elevation keeps nights cool even in summer, so pack accordingly.
The Trailhead Connection
McGee Creek Trailhead sits just two miles away, launching hikers and riders into McGee Canyon and the John Muir Wilderness beyond. This puts serious Sierra terrain within easy striking distance — whether you're planning day hikes or using camp as a staging area for longer wilderness trips.
The creek and nearby Crowley Lake offer solid trout fishing, while the area's geology draws rock hounds looking for specimens in the volcanic terrain.
What to Know
Reservations are required, and the location between two major Eastern Sierra destinations means booking ahead is wise. The campground's proximity to Highway 395 means road noise, but also easy access to supplies in Bishop or Mammoth Lakes.
If you're timing a visit around local events, Bishop's Mule Days over Memorial Day weekend and Mammoth's Jazz Jubilee in mid-July both draw crowds to the area.