★ Field-verified · Dave's ownUSFS · dispersedFree
Inyo National Forest
Drive-up · U.S. Forest Service · Mono County, CA · 37.67715, -118.98761
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Ask about this camp →Dave's been here. A spot from Dave's own travels on U.S. Forest Service land — free to camp. Conditions still change, so confirm access, stay limits and fire rules before you go.
This is a clearing located within Inyo National Forest only a few miles away from the resort community of Mammoth Lakes. This particular spot does not resemble a campsite. No fire ring. Higher elevation. Within a vast network of forest roads, worthy of exploration. Surrounding area is dotted with countless, free campsites, and it's a popular location for boondockers. White cap mountains visible through the trees. Wooded coniferous. Sufficient space for a single vehicle. Tons of ants. Recommended. Good cell service.
USGS topo — contours & terrain
Aerial — USGS / NAIP
Weather outlook
Loading the latest forecast…
Live NWS area forecast (~2.5 km grid, not elevation-corrected). Camp sits at 8,705 ft.
Fire & smokeNIFC · AirNow
Checking active fires & air quality…
Active wildfires from NIFC (within ~50 mi); air quality from AirNow. Always confirm current fire restrictions with the managing office before you go.
Everything you need — measured from camp
Straight-line miles · bearings approx · roads run longer
Nearest of each
- FFuel2 mi
- MMechanic2 mi
- @Mail2 mi
- DDump2 mi
- LLaundry2 mi
- GGrocery2 mi
- OOutfitter2 mi
- HHardware3 mi
- RxPharmacy3 mi
- WWater4 mi
- ShShower6 mi
- AAir-up10 mi
- +Urgent care32 mi
≤30 mi30–4545+water
The read: water is basically at camp, fuel & food sit about 2 mi out.
Not within 60 mi: Propane. Plan those before you head up.
One dot per need — the nearest of each kind, straight-line from camp. Places from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Open in Google Maps ↗
The site
Access
Drive-up
Land
U.S. Forest Service · dispersed
Elevation
8,705 ft
County
Mono County, CA
Coordinates
37.67715, -118.98761
Cost
Free
Nearby & resupply (OpenStreetMap)
- Water featureDry Creek (stream) · nearby
- Nearest townMammoth Lakes · ~2.6 mi
- Drinking waterDrinking water · ~2.4 mi
- FuelNorco Texaco · ~2.0 mi
- Propane / LPGnone within 31 mi
- Dump stationDump station · ~2.4 mi
- GroceriesGrocery Outlet · ~2.5 mi
- PharmacyVons Pharmacy · ~2.9 mi
- Hospital / clinicMammoth Hospital · ~2.7 mi
From the field — what Dave saw, in person
Cell service
Had a signal
Getting there
Any vehicle managed it
Fire ring
Yes
Toilet on site
No
Tent friendly
Yes
Verdict
Recommended
Nearby restrooms — pit toilets, restrooms & rest areas (government data)
- Vault / pit toiletInyo Craters Interp Site · ~1.3 mi NW · USFS
- RestroomInyo Craters Th · ~1.3 mi NW · USFS
- Vault / pit toiletEarthquake Fault · ~1.7 mi SW · USFS
- Flush restroomOld Shady Rest Cg · ~2.3 mi SE · USFS
Open this spot elsewhere
Other camps nearby
If this one is full, gated or washed out.
- Inyo National Forest~0.7 mi
- Mammoth Mt Rv Park~2.7 mi
- Lower Deadman Cg~3.2 mi
- Upper Deadman Cg~3.3 mi
How we know this
Source
Dave's own travels
Confidence
Researched — The record is detailed and internally consistent, and the coordinates land where the managing agency says this site is.
How it was placed
FIELD VERIFIED by Dave Lalande -- he has stood on this site. Coordinates are his own GPX track point, not a geocode. County and state confirmed against the FCC Census Block API (Mono County, CA). Everything under 'From the field' is a direct observation; nothing here is inferred from a land record.
Field check
Verified on the ground. Dave has stood on this one. Conditions still change — confirm before you commit.
What we don’t know
A land record can put you within a few metres of a spot. It cannot tell you any of this — so check it yourself, and treat anything below as the open question it is.
- How many rigs actually fit
- Seasonal & winter access
- Current fire restrictions
- Whether any water here is drinkable
- Shade & wind exposure
- Noise and who else shows up
Before you go
When the high country opens →Finding water out here →What “dispersed” means here →Reading your camp page →All field notes →
Been here? Tell us what changed. This page is built from public records, so the fastest way it gets better is somebody who has actually pulled in. Road washed out, site gone, gate locked, or it is exactly as described — all of it useful. Send a report →