Old Shady Rest puts you in the Jeffrey pines within walking distance of Mammoth Lakes — close enough to grab dinner in town, far enough to feel like camping. The large loop accommodates tents and smaller RVs under mature forest canopy at 7,800 feet, making it a solid base camp for eastern Sierra adventures.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Developed
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 47
- 💵Fee per Night
- $32
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 🏔️Elevation
- 7,800 ft
- 📍GPS
- 37.65059, -118.96139
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The campground runs as one large loop through Jeffrey pine forest, with 47 sites tucked under a mature canopy that lives up to the "shady" billing. Sites work well for tents and small to medium RVs, with the usual amenities: flush toilets, picnic tables, and campfire rings. Bear-proof lockers handle food storage, and you can buy firewood on-site. No showers in camp, but they're available nearby.
The setup puts you adjacent to New Shady Rest and Pine Glen campgrounds, connected by a paved trail that continues to town. That proximity to Mammoth Lakes is the main draw — you can walk to restaurants, shops, and a visitor center without moving your vehicle.
What to Know
Reservations are required, and the 7,800-foot elevation means this is seasonal camping. Once your dates begin, modifications aren't possible through Recreation.gov or the campground manager, so plan accordingly.
The location makes this popular with families using Mammoth as a hub for day trips to Yosemite, Mono Basin, and Devils Postpile National Monument. The paved trail connects to a town park with playing field and skate park — useful intel if you're camping with kids.
Nearby
Mammoth Lakes area delivers the expected eastern Sierra recreation: hiking, mountain biking, fishing in nearby creeks and lakes. Winter brings skiing. The town offers full services when you need a break from camp meals.
The mid-July Mammoth Jazz Jubilee draws crowds if you're into that scene or want to avoid it. Otherwise, you're positioned for accessing the high country that makes this stretch of the eastern Sierra worth the drive.