Facility Details - LAKE MARY CAMPGROUND, CA

Overview

Lake Mary is the star of the Mammoth Lakes region. Of the 11 lakes in the area, Mary is the largest and most developed. Lake Mary Campground is a large facility with plenty of amenities in and around it. The lake provides a great base for activities like fishing, viewing waterfalls, hiking and backpacking.

Natural Features:

The campground lies among lodgepole pine trees at an elevation of 8,900 feet. Some campsites have views of the breathtaking scenery surrounding the campground, including Lake Mary and some of the 9,000 and 10,000' peaks in the John Muir Wilderness.

The Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains are abundant with wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and many species of fish and birds.

Recreation:

Lake Mary receives the highest number of trout stocks in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, and is well-known to anglers for its rainbow, brook and brown trout fishing. No swimming or wading is allowed in the lake.

Though no hiking trails begin in the campground, several interesting trails offer a variety of hikes nearby, including day hiking and backpacking trails into the rustic John Muir Wilderness.

Facilities:

The campground straddles the road at the northwest end of Lake Mary, and offers four loops of closely-spaced campsites. The campground is within walking distance of the lake, and some sites have a view of the water.

Nearby Attractions:

Mammoth Lakes Basin contains several additional popular lakes to explore for fishing and boating.

Visitors can also access the magnificent John Muir Wilderness nearby, which stretches 100 miles along the crest of the Sierra Nevadas, a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially-carved terrain. Hiking and horseback riding trails are abundant.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Campfire Rings Fishing Flush Toilets Food Storage Locker Fuel Available Host Lake Access	Parking Area Self Pay Station Tables Trash Collection Vault Toilets Water Spigot
Within 10 Miles
ATM Church Grocery Store Hospital	Laundry Facilities Ranger Station Restaurant Visitor Center

Know Before You Go

In accordance with standard industry practices, Inyo Recreation will assess an additional $5 vehicle fee for the "second vehicle" in each single family campsite, and on the "third and fourth vehicle" in any double family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site. In the case of motorcycles, the first two are considered one vehicle, and the third and fourth motorcycle are also considered one vehicle. No additional vehicle fees are collected for bicycles.
No body contact allowed with the lake, including swimming
Two pets allowed per site; must be leashed
This is a high elevation facility; please use caution when traveling from lower elevations
Campground usually not clear of snow until late May or early June
Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating; always keep a clean camp and do not feed any wild animals
Inyo National Forest website

This facility is operated by Inyo Recreation, doing business as California Land Management. Comments are appreciated; see campground hosts or access comment forms online.

Hiking within the Inyo Wilderness requires a special permit for both day and overnight stays. These permits are managed through a limited allocation system. Please click here for more information.

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
37.60694, -119.0075
37°36'25"N, 119°0'27"W

Take U.S. 395 to Mammoth Junction and Highway 203. Turn west on Highway 203 and drive through the town of Mammoth Lakes to the junction of Minaret Road/Highway 203 and Lake Mary Road. Continue straight through the intersection and drive 3.6 miles to Lake Mary Loop Drive. Turn right and drive 0.5 miles to the campground entrance.