The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
A Bureau of Land Management site is an area managed by a federal organization that was established to preserve important lands throughout the US. Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are set up near these sites to provide camping options for visitors. Search "BLM camping near me" to check if there are campgrounds near you. Crowley Lake Campground provides convenient camping near Mammoth Lakes. Inyo National Forest, Sierra National Forest, Yosemite National Park, and Kings Canyon National Park are also within the region.
One of the most scenic trails close to Crowley Lake Campground is Convict Lake Loop Trail. It circles around the lake with beautiful, relaxing views. The trail is wheelchair and stroller friendly. You can also bring a dog with you if you keep them on a leash.
Length: 2.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
If you're looking for a challenging hike, consider the Convict Creek Trail to Mildred Lake. This out-and-back trail is 9.1 miles and has snow, even in early summer. June to September are the ideal months for hiking. You should otherwise come prepared for hiking on snow and ice.
Length: 9.1 miles
Intensity: Hard
Enjoy stunning vistas, snow-capped mountains, and waterfalls along this out-and-back trail. There may be some snow on the trail if you take the hike during spring. May through September are the best months for taking this hike.
Length: 3.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This 15.2-mile out-and-back trail offers lake and meadow views and a moderately challenging hike. There may be some snow on the trail, even if you visit in early summer. July through October are the best months to travel this trail.
Length: 15.2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
You can go fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout, Sacramento perch, Owens sucker, and Owens pupfish at Lake Crowley. This lake is one of the top areas in the US for trout fishing. Other areas you could fish at near the campground include Mammoth Lakes, Big McGee Lake, and Inyo National Forest. Mammoth Lakes is a good fishing location for rainbow trout, Alpers trout, and brown trout. Common catches in Inyo National Forest are golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout.
You can climb the slabs behind Horseshoe Lake, which is located in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. Another nearby climbing area is The Catacombs. It overlooks the Owens River Gorge and features rock towers and bouldering opportunities.
Endemic species in Inyo National Forest include Sierra bighorn sheep, slender salamanders, Mount Lyell salamanders, golden trout, and black toads. Birds you could see in the region are bald eagles, golden eagles, American dippers, warbling vireos, gray-crowned rosy finches, and long-eared owls.
There are plenty of areas to have a picnic in Inyo National Forest, such as the Long Valley Caldera, Mammoth Lakes Area, Silver Lake Picnic Site, and Horseshoe Meadow Picnic Area. Long Valley Caldera was formed when a volcano erupted 760,000 years ago, making it one of the places you'll want to see during your stay. Silver Lake Picnic Site has flush toilets and potable water. Toilets, picnic tables, barbecues, and water are available at Horseshoe Meadow Picnic Area, but the water system is turned off starting in October and through the winter.
Mammoth Mountain and the June Lake Ski Areas are some of the most popular areas for winter sports near Crowley Lake Campground. You could go mushing, snowmobiling, snowboarding, skiing, cross-country skiing, sledding, or snowshoeing.
OHV riding is possible in designated areas in Inyo National Forest. Some OHV trails lead to breathtaking viewpoints, historic mines and structures, and areas for swimming and fishing.
Horseback riding is allowed at Crowley Lake Campground and Inyo National Forest. Trails you can go horseback riding on include Convict Lake Loop, Rainbow Falls Trail, Cottonwood Lakes Trail, and Big Pine Creek North Fork Trail.
Crowley Lake Campground is a BLM campground that can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet long. Potable water is available here but there are no hookups. Other sites that offer BLM RV camping in the region include Convict Lake Campground, Lake George Campground, and Big Pine Creek Campground.
Bureau of Land Management free camping isn't available nearby. You can, however, find free camping at Sage Hen Dispersed, Silver Pass Lake Dispersed, and Scenic Loop Dispersed. Sage Hen Dispersed and Scenic Look Dispersed allow fires and pets. Pets are also allowed at Silver Pass Lake Dispersed.
Some campgrounds are only open during certain seasons, so you should check before planning your visit. Crowley Lake Campground is open from May to October. Some roads in the region have seasonal closures for snow as well. Many areas in the Inyo National Forest don't have good cell phone reception. You should bring survival supplies with you in case you're not able to use your phone. Bears are common in the region, so store your food in bear-safe containers. If you plan on setting up a campfire, buy wood in the region because foreign wood could introduce insects and diseases to the land. Inyo National Forest usually begins selling firewood in May.
At Crowley Lake Campground, you have views of Crowley Lake, the Glass Mountains, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and McGee Mountain. It's one of the top campgrounds for views in the region. You also have proximity to plenty of beautiful national parks, national forests, and lakes to explore. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Following Leave No Trace rules for the area you're visiting protects the environment, the animals living there, and your fellow campers. You should leave everything you find, and properly dispose of human waste. Minimize campfire impacts by knowing the correct way to start and extinguish campfires. Also, listen to any fire restrictions, as California is prone to wildfires.
Crowley Lake Campground is located at Crowley Lake Campground Road, California, 93546. From Bishop, California, take US-395 N for about 27 miles. Turn left onto McGee Creek Road and left onto Crowley Lake Drive. After about 1.1 miles, turn right onto Crowley Lake Campground Road, and in just 0.3 miles, you'll arrive at your destination.
Ready to visit Crowley Lake Campground? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
