Mono County and Inyo National Forest Still Struggling to Open For Summer From Covid-19 Restrictions
He is the latest from Mono county and Inyo National Forest for weekend travel and camping trips to the Eastern Sierra. With Access Fishing season starting last week in June Lake and Tioga Road opening on June 15th, not sure how much longer state can hold off opening fully. Reports of the abundance of Dry camping locations popping up all over the county, show that many people are not waiting for the state to enjoy their summer. That being said questions are consistent about when campgrounds will ope so here is the latest openings for Inyo National Forest.
Mono Lake Ranger District
Roads open: Monitor Pass (Hwy 89), Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4), Sonora Pass (Hwy108), Bodie Rd. (Hwy 270), Lundy Lake Rd. (to resort), Hwy 120 E (Benton), Hwy 158., Saddlebag Rd.
Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 W) at Yosemite National Park Boundary is opening June 15 to all vehicular traffic, Day Use Reservation or proof of overnight accommodation in the park required.
Campgrounds opening June 12: Lundy Canyon (county), Aerie Crag, Silver Lake, Reversed Creek, Gull Lake, June Lake, Oh Ridge.
Campgrounds closed: Tioga Lake, Junction, Sawmill Walk-in, Saddlebag Lake, Saddlebag Lake Group, Ellery Lake, Big Bend, Aspen, Moraine, Lower Lee Vining , Hartley, Obsidian Flat Group, Glass Creek, Big Springs, Upper Deadman, Lower Deadman.
The Mono Basin Visitor Center is closed, but visitor questions are being answered via phone call daily, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, 760- 647-3044.
Mammoth Ranger District
Roads closed: Reds Meadow Rd. at Minaret Vista, Lake Mary Rd. at Tamarack Ski Area, Old Mammoth Rd. to Lake Mary Rd (upper gate).
Roads open: Mammoth Scenic Loop.
Campgrounds Open: Brown’s Owens River (private). Mammoth Mtn. RV Park.
Campground opening June 12: Old Shady Rest, New Shady Rest, Pine Glen Family, Sherwin Creek.
Campgrounds closed: Upper Soda Springs, Pumice Flat, Pumice Flat Group, Reds Meadow, Agnew Meadows Horse, Agnew Meadows Group, Agnew Meadows Family, Minaret Falls, Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Lake George, Pine City, Coldwater, Convict Lake, Crowley (BLM), Pine Glen Group,
The Mammoth Welcome Center is closed, but visitor questions are being answered via phone call daily, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, 760-924-5500.
The Devils Postpile Ranger Station is closed.
Roads open: McGee Creek Rd., Rock Creek Road, Buttermilk Rd., Hwy 168, North Lake Rd., South Lake Rd. (construction underway, M – F, 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, expect up to 30 minute delays), White Mountain Rd. Silver Canyon Rd. (4×4-high clearance expect winter damage), Wyman Canyon Rd. (4×4-high clearance, snow), Big Pine Canyon.
Campgrounds Open: Horton (BLM), Goodale (BLM).
Campgrounds Opening June 12: Convict Lake, McGee Creek, East Fork, French Camp, Pleasant Valley (County), North Lake, Bitterbrush, Big Trees, Baker Creek (County), Sage Flat, Upper Sage Flat, Big Pine Creek, Taboose Creek (County), Tinnemaha Creek (County).
Campgrounds closed: Holiday, Tuff, Aspen Group, Palisade Group, Rock Creek, Rock Creek Group, Iris Meadow, Big Meadow, Mosquito Flat Backpacker, Pine Grove, Upper Pine Grove, Pleasant Valley Pit (BLM), Forks, Intake 2, Bishop Park, Sabrina, Four Jeffrey, Table Mountain Group, Mountain Glen, Bishop Park Group, Willow, Grandview, Cedar Flat Group, Clyde Glacier Group, Palisade Glacier Group.
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center is closed.
The White Mountain Ranger Station Visitor Center is closed, but visitor questions are being answered via phone call M-F, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, last call at 4:45pm, 760-873-2500 , 760-873-2501. 760-873-2503.
Roads closed: Whitney Portal Rd. Horseshoe Meadow Rd at the Forest Service boundary.
Roads open: Onion Valley, Foothill Road, Division Creek, Horseshoe Meadow to the Forest Service boundary.
Campgrounds open: Upper and Lower Grays Meadow, Onion Valley, Tuttle Creek (BLM), Lone Pine, Boulder Creek RV Resort (private).
Campgrounds opening June 12: Independence Creek (county), Portuguese Joe (county), Diaz Lake (County).
Campgrounds closed: Whitney Portal, Whitney Portal Group, Whitney Portal Trailhead, Cottonwood Lakes, Cottonwood Pass, Horseshoe Meadows Equestrian. Kennedy Meadows.
The Eastern Sierra Visitor Center in Lone Pine is closed, but visitor questions are being answered via phone call M-F, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm last call at 4:445 pm, 760-876-6200. 760-876-6222.
Virtual wilderness permits are being issued at all visitor centers and through the Wilderness Permit Office, daily from 8:00am to 4:30 pm, 760-873-2483. Call volume had been significant, so if you have a permit later in the year, we advise waiting to call until your reservation gets closer.
The Inyo National Forest and Bishop BLM Field office are in Fire Restrictions
White Mountain Ranger District
Mt Whitney Ranger District