Public campgrounds abound in and around Bishop. Most are run by the U.S. Forest Service within Inyo National Forest and are frequented by fishers looking to partake of the area's renowned catch-and-release trout fishery. Pleasant Valley Campground offers vault toilets, picnic tables, grills, fire rings and potable water and is open year round. The campground lies just above the Owens River and is open to 200 tents and RVs, though there are no hookups. Small rigs and tents are accommodated at Bishop Park, also within the Inyo National Forest. The campground sits near Middle Fork of Bishop Creek and is one of the area's most popular campgrounds, especially in July and August. The maximum stay here is seven days, and the campground provides drinking water and flush toilets.
Private RV parks and campgrounds near Bishop allow you to rough it just a bit while still experiencing the convenience of being near the shops and restaurants of downtown. At Brown's Town Campground, you'll choose from 150 tent and RV sites next to Bishop's 18-hole golf course. The campground's amenities include electricity, cable TV, hot showers, restrooms, coin laundry and entertainment opportunities like horseshoe pits, arcade games, television room and a playground. Another option is Keough's Hot Springs, built around the eastern Sierras' largest natural hot springs pool. The campground has operated since 1919 and offers both tent and RV sites, plus luxury, furnished "tent cabins" available for rent.
Operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), long-term visitor areas (LTVAs) are available for tent campers who want to stay longer than the usual seven-day maximum imposed on many public campgrounds. LTVAs open in May and close in October, though the exact date depends on weather and wildlife protection requirements. You'll pay a fee to stay here, though services are minimal. The BLM collects trash regularly, but water and sanitation services are nil. Around Bishop you'll find four LTVAs: Crowley Lake Campground, Goodale Creek Campground, Horton Creek Campground and Tuttle Creek Campground.
If you're looking for a more rugged experience away from crowds, dispersed camping might be a good choice. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Inyo National Forest and Bureau of Land Management recreation areas as long as you're not encroaching on a designated campground or a restricted use area, such as along paved roads. This practice shouldn't be confused with wilderness camping, which involves backpacking into a remote area to set up camp and purchasing a wilderness permit. If you plan to disperse camp, bring everything you'll need for a comfortable stay, including your own water and cooking device.
