El Portal, California
Looking for the best camping in El Portal? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around El Portal. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Camping Spots in and near El Portal
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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 -
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
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 -
Lee Vining, California
Backpack Virginia Lakes to Green Creek
10.5 mi / 1234 ft gainKeep in mind that this is a point to point hike, so you will need to park a vehicle at Green Creek trailhead in Bridgeport as well as your start point at Virginia Lakes Resort.Starting at 9,886' at The Virginia Lakes Trailhead, you will begin by heading Northwest towards Virginia Pass. During yo...Read more -
Bridgeport, California
Virginia Lakes Trail
4.09.22 mi / 2464 ft gainIf you are looking for a hike with a view every half mile or so, then Virginia Lakes Trail is one to mark on your must-see list. You start at the parking lot near the first lake where bathrooms are available onsite. Try to hike right before the first snow in November so you can see the fall col...Read more -
Bridgeport, California
Climb Matterhorn Peak via the East Couloir
10 mi / 6000 ft gainMatterhorn Peak in the northeastern Yosemite Wilderness is an SPS Emblem Peak and many regard it as the beginning of the High Sierra, as there are no peaks higher to the north in the Sierra Nevada.There are many routes to the summit, but the shortest and most direct (though not easiest) begins at...Read more -
June Lake, California
Gull Lake Loop
1.97 mi / 174 ft gainGull Lake trail is one of my favorite hiking spots in the June Lake Loop area. It is a very scenic trail that goes through varying terrains from meadows to marshes to aspen and conifer groves. Trailhead starts at the Mono County Community Center and winds counter-clockwise around the lake to th...Read more -
June Lake, California
Explore June Lake
4.7June Lake is a hidden gem in the Eastern Sierra, just north of Mammoth Lakes. June Lake is a quaint little lake with spectacular views. The neighboring town of the same name also boasts a brewery with tasty brews. For a truly unforgettable sunset, grab some brews and walk over to June Lake for th...Read more -
Bishop, California
Camp at Oh Ridge Campground on June Lake
5.0Nestled along the shores of picturesque June Lake, is the Oh Ridge campground. Oh Ridge has access to the beach of June Lake via Pine Cliff Road, and the town of June lake as well as Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake are all within a short driving distance along the June Lake Loop. Mammoth ...Read more -
Bridgeport, California
Backpack to Green Lake and Virginia Pass
17 mi / 4452 ft gainDay 1 Green Creek Trailhead to Green Lake When we went on this hike, it was primarily to explore the area and see if it would be a feasible entrance to Northern Yosemite for extended backpacking trips. However, it also is a great two night trip to a lovely area of the Hoover Wilderness. Best...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Backpack to Garnet Lake
5.014 mi / 2030 ft gainAlthough this trip specifically describes how to get to Garnet Lake, there are several other pristine alpine lakes (Shadow Lake and Thousand Islands Lake) along this looped trail, only a few short miles away from each other, that are just as worthy if you have the time. A minimum of 3 days/2 nigh...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Backpack from Mammoth Mountain to Yosemite Valley via the John Muir Trail
5.052 mi / 6300 ft gainCross country hiking can be a daunting idea. There are so many things to plan for, and such a long distance to cover. If you are an experienced backpacker, and you want to get a taste of hiking on the John Muir Trail this hike might interest you. Planning GPS Map (Caltopo): https://caltopo.com...Read more -
Bridgeport, California
Hike to Peeler Lake
11 mi / 2400 ft gainThis trip can be done as a day trip or backpacking trip. It is around an 11 mile out-and-back trip.Park at Twin Lakes in Bridgeport, CA. There is a $10 fee and it can take a while on busy weekends. A permit is required to stay overnight in Hoover Wilderness. The trailhead can be hard to find; it ...Read more