MONO CREEK
Sierra National Forest, CATucked into a meadow at 7,500 feet above Kaiser Pass, Mono Creek is the kind of High Sierra base camp that equestrians dream about. The campground sits near Mono Hot Springs with direct access to John Muir Wilderness trails, making it a launching pad for serious backcountry exploration. It's quiet, remote, and designed for those who pack in their own water and don't mind vault toilets.
Campground Details
- 💵Fee per Night
- $37
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 🏔️Elevation
- 7,500 ft
- 📍GPS
- 37.35556, -118.99686
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- summer, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 559-893-2111
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
Spacious sites spread through mature ponderosa pines, each with enough room for horse trailers and the privacy that comes with being genuinely remote. The meadow setting keeps things open while the forest provides shade and windbreak. Bear-proof lockers come standard — you'll need them up here — along with picnic tables and fire rings. The vault toilets are accessible, which is more consideration than you'll find at many equestrian camps.
No water on-site means filling up at the High Sierra Ranger Station before you arrive. This isn't an oversight; it's part of the deal when you camp above Kaiser Pass.
What to Know
Reservations are required and modifications aren't possible once your dates begin, so plan accordingly. At $37 per night, you're paying for location and horse facilities, not amenities. The campground operates during summer and fall, which means roughly June through October depending on snow.
The "equestrian" designation isn't just marketing — this camp is built for horse access to the John Muir Wilderness trail network. If you're not bringing stock, you might find better options elsewhere in the forest.
Nearby
Edison Lake sits close enough to make fishing and boating realistic day trips. The real draw is trail access: Mono Creek Trail launches directly from Edison Lake into the wilderness, connecting to the Pacific Crest Trail system. Hot mineral baths at Mono Hot Springs provide the kind of post-ride recovery that makes remote camping worth the logistics.
The John Muir Wilderness opens up once you leave camp, offering everything from day rides to multi-day pack trips into the high country. This is genuine Sierra wilderness access, not a scenic drive with trails attached.