Old Shady Rest Campground

Old Shady Rest Campground is a large, popular campground located in the town of Mammoth Lakes at an elevation of 7,800 feet. Though within walking distance of Mammoth Lakes, the campground feels private and remote, surrounded by mature Jeffrey pine trees.

The campground, organized in a single loop, features 46 campsites suitable for tents and small to medium-sized RVs. Each site includes a picnic table, a fire ring, and a bear-proof food storage locker. Since black bears often roam the campground, it’s important to store your food properly.

Amenities include drinking water and flush toilets, with an RV dump station available for a fee. Firewood is available for purchase on-site from the camp host. Cell phone reception is generally good.

Old Shady Rest Campground is open from early May through late October, weather permitting. Reservations are recommended during the peak summer season and can be made on recreation.gov.

Old Shady Rest Campground might not be the most beautiful in the Eastern Sierra. Still, it’s an excellent base for outdoor activities in and around Mammoth Lakes, including fishing, hiking, and mountain biking.

Anglers can easily access the nearby Mammoth Lakes Basin, which includes Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Lake Mamie, Lake George, and Horseshoe Lake, all offering excellent fishing opportunities.

In addition to fishing, the Mammoth Lakes Basin is also home to a variety of trails, ranging from easy day hikes to multi-day backcountry adventures. There are even more hiking opportunities in the Mammoth Lakes area, with many trails leading to beautiful alpine lakes and waterfalls.

The best part about Old Shady Rest Campground is its location in Mammoth Lakes. The campground is close to restaurants, breweries, shops, markets, and more. Additionally, The Village at Mammoth is about a 30-minute walk away, offering festivals, dining, shopping, and gondola access to Mammoth Mountain.

Nearby campgrounds including New Shady Rest Campground, Pine Glen Campground, and Sherwin Creek Campground.

Fees

Reservations can be made by visiting recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777.

Season / Opening and Closing Dates

Directions

From Highway 395, turn west on Highway 203 towards Mammoth Lakes. Continue on Highway 203 for 2.8 miles to Sawmill Cutoff. Turn right on Sawmill Cutoff. Continue on Sawmill Cutoff for 0.3 miles to reach the turn off for the campground on the left.

GPS Coordinates: 37.64958,-118.96471

Map

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby Fishing