Bishop, California
Bishop, California is a great destination for outdoor activities and attractions. Nestled between the Sierra Nevada to the west and the White Mountains to the east, Bishop offers a wide array of outdoor activities. For those who enjoy rock climbing, the Buttermilk Boulders and the Happy and Sad Boulders in the Volcanic Tablelands are popular destinations. These areas are not only for climbers but also offer scenic hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and opportunities for bird watching and photography. Bishop Creek Canyon, southwest of Bishop, is a natural wonderland of mountains, lakes, streams, forests, and waterfalls. It's a great place for camping, fishing, and simply enjoying the breathtaking scenery. Bishop has something for everyone, ensuring you get the most out of your trip and the beauty of nature.
Top Spots in and near Bishop
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Mammoth Lakes, California
Devils Postpile Loop
5.01.28 mi / 243 ft gainDevils Postpile Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Mammoth Lakes, California.Read more -
Fresno County, California
Hike to Lookout Peak
12 miYou'll want an early start to this hike so consider camping in the park the night before. If you enter the park via CA-180 and follow it for a ways (passing Kings Canyon Visitor Center, Kings Canyon Lodge, and eventually the Cedar Grove Visitor Center) you'll come up to two campsites on the left-...Read more -
Inyo County, California
Explore Eureka Dunes and Hidden Dunes
THE HIDDEN DUNES HIKEFrom the well, you will want to hike towards a gap in the mountains off to the West. Hopefully, you were able to see the dunes on the way in as described above to help gauge the direction to head in. A map, or GPS, can make this easier too, but probably isn’t needed. Just oc...Read more -
Madera County, California
Thousand Island Lake via Agnew Meadows
5.019.6 mi / 3642 ft gainStart from Agnew Meadows about 7 miles away. You can take the High Trail out as part of the River Trail with a long detour passing by several other scenic lakes, including Shadow Lake, Garnet Lake, and Ruby Lake. You will arrive at Thousand Island Lake a few hours after lunch, just in time to set...Read more -
Madera County, California
Ediza Lake via Agnew Meadows
4.013.54 mi / 1804 ft gainStart at the Agnew Meadows Trailhead. You will need to arrive before 7:30AM or take the Shuttle from Mammoth Mountain. Start out by heading north on the John Muir Trail. You will pass Shadow Lake; walk around the south side of the lake for mountain views. Then, follow the trail up Shadow Creek u...Read more -
Madera County, California
Ansel Adams' Garnet Lake
5.014.46 mi / 2717 ft gainGarnet Lake is one of the premier stops along the Pacific Crest Trail. However, even if you don't have time for an entire thru-hike (like most of us), this beautiful lake is still easily accessible as an overnight trip! While there are many possible routes for reaching Garnet Lake, the Agnew Me...Read more -
Madera County, California
Cecile Lake via Agnew Meadows
16.11 mi / 2667 ft gainLocated in the heart of the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Cecile Lake can be reached from a variety of trailheads. I chose to start out in Agnew Meadows. From here, the trail criss-crosses through a serene lowland environment with several crystal clear streams. After passing Olaine Lake, veer left an...Read more -
Madera County, California
Climb Mount Ritter
Mt Ritter is a long climb, but it is worth the effort. Start out by establishing camp at Ediza Lake prior to your ascent. The SE Glacier route (first ascent by John Muir) follows the path of least resistance up the SE side of Mt Ritter.The route first gains a broad bench below Ritter and Banner P...Read more -
Madera County, California
Backpack to Waugh Lake
5.011 mi / 1000 ft gainThere are several trailheads you can start at to get to the lake, but we chose the River Trail in Agnew Meadows because it was the only trailhead that hadn't met the quota yet. You can check on permit's and trailheads here. If the River Trail is booked other great options are Shadow Creek, Fish C...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Agnew Meadows to Tuolumne Meadows
5.030.27 mi / 4757 ft gainUnlike most through hikes that require two cars or hitchhiking, you can accomplish this with only one car by using a YART. Another benefit is that by entering in Mammoth, it is usually much easier to get permits as opposed to starting in Yosemite where permits can be harder to get. Then once yo...Read more -
Mono County, California
Obsidian Dome Trail
3.01 mi / 75 ft gainObsidian Dome Trail is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near June Lake, California.Read more -
Mono County, California
Snowshoe the Obsidian Dome Trail
6 mi / 300 ft gainThe Obsidian Dome Trailhead provides access to a large network of winter hiking trails through Inyo National Forest. These are marked trails that are groomed on an intermittent basis by the National Forest Service. To find the trailhead and parking area, drive north on highway 395 from Mammoth La...Read more -
Seven Pines, California
Mt. Williamson via Shepherd Pass
5.026.66 mi / 10653 ft gainThis trail starts at the lowest, and generally regarded hardest, trailhead in the Southern Sierras. You quickly gain elevation in what many describe as manageable but relentless. The first section of the hike has nice shade and adequate water access. Very enjoyable company to boot! Once you cros...Read more -
Madera County, California
Backpack the Shadows of the Minarets Loop
5.016 miAnsel Adams Wilderness is located in Mammoth Lakes, California. The trail to Lake Ediza is frequently traveled and is usually completed as an out-and-back day hike. In the summer, from 7am-7pm the road to the trail head is inaccessible to cars. To reach the trailhead you must take the shuttle fro...Read more -
Independence, California
Manzanar Japanese Relocation Site: Manzanar Trail
5.02.22 mi / 112 ft gainManzanar Japanese Relocation Site: Manzanar Trail is a loop trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Independence, California.Read more -
Madera County, California
John Muir Trail: Camping at Lake Ediza Junction
NOTE: there are some camping closures in this area. Read here for more details. The Lake Ediza Junction has several great spots to camp. Try to find a spot that will have long afternoon sun as some spots will fall under the shadow of the ridge to the west. There are some sunny campsites along the...Read more
