Inyo National Forest dispersed camping rules

Allowed with restrictions

Dispersed camping is allowed outside developed campgrounds. It is not allowed inside Recreation Restriction Areas or in posted closed areas.

Where it is not allowed

• No camping inside a Recreation Restriction Area, except in developed campground sites or posted overflow areas.
• Bishop Creek Canyon: camping only at established sites in developed campgrounds.
• Rock Creek Canyon: camping only at established sites in developed campgrounds.
• Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest National Protection Area: no camping or campfires.
• Ansel Adams and John Muir Wildernesses: some sites are closed to camping, such as Shadow Lake and Mirror Lake/Trailside Meadow on the Mt. Whitney trail.

14 consecutive days within a 10-mile radius; 28 total days per calendar year forest-wide

Applies to: Undeveloped (dispersed) campsites, Inyo National Forest-wide (Order 05-04-50-25-17). Most developed campgrounds allow 14 days; some trailhead camps allow 1 day.

Restrictions in effect · Fire order 05-04-50-26-23

In effect June 22, 2026 to December 31, 2026

Stage 1 fire restrictions: no fires, campfires, stove fires or charcoal except in the developed recreation sites listed in Exhibit A. With a valid California Campfire Permit, you may use a pressurized gas/liquid-fuel stove or lantern with a shut-off valve. Smoking is limited.

Alerts and orders

Campfire permit

A free California Campfire Permit is required for any campfire, charcoal fire, camp stove or open flame. Get one at Forest Service, BLM or CAL FIRE offices, or online.

Wilderness permits

Required for overnight camping in the Ansel Adams, John Muir, Hoover, Golden Trout and South Sierra wildernesses. Required at any time in the Mount Whitney Zone.

Fees

Developed campground fees vary and are posted at campgrounds. Campfire permits are free. The documents state no fee for dispersed camping.

• When dispersed camping, pick a cleared, durable site at least 200 feet from water.
• Pack out human waste or bury it 6–8 inches deep, 200 feet from water and trails or roads. Dumping RV black water is illegal.
• Dispersed areas have no bear boxes. Store food securely. Bear-resistant containers are required in 8 named wilderness areas.
• You may not live at a campsite as a residence.
• Developed campgrounds: 6 people and 2 vehicles per family site. Campfires only in designated rings.
• Wilderness: group size is limited to 15 people.
• Ansel Adams and John Muir Wildernesses: campfires are banned year-round above 10,000 ft north of the Mt Humphreys/Mt Emerson ridgeline and above 10,400 ft south of it, plus other listed areas.
• No fires within a Recreation Restriction Area except in facilities provided in a developed recreation site.

Stay on established roads. Do not drive off-road to camp or drive around obstacles such as mud puddles.

• Reds Meadow Road (3S11) ReconstructionCurrent

  2026-06-03 to 2026-12-31

  Order 05-04-52-26-19 closes Reds Meadow Road and lands within 200 ft of it on a schedule. From Nov 1, 11:00 PM through Dec 31, the road is fully closed. Affected sites include Reds Meadow, Agnew Meadows, Pumice Flat and Upper Soda Springs campgrounds.

• Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest National Protection AreaStatus unknown

  Camping and campfires are prohibited in the protection area. No order dates were given.

• Inyo Craters hazard tree closuresStatus unknown

  Areas are closed for public safety during a hazard tree mitigation project.

• Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project road closuresStatus unknown

  Roads around Mammoth Lakes are closed during fuels reduction work. The closure orders change as work moves.

• Hot Creek closureStatus unknown

  Recreating in Hot Creek (Mammoth Ranger District) is prohibited.

• Mammoth Mill Site Closure AreaStatus unknown

  Entry to the Mammoth Mill Site Closure Area and the Mammoth Stamp Mill Trail is prohibited.

• Southern California Edison road work on Wyman Canyon Rd 06S01 and Silver Canyon Rd 06S02 may cause delays (alert runs through 2026-12-31).
• Agnew Meadows Campground is listed as closed.
• Pets do not have to be leashed in non-developed areas, but leashing is recommended.
• Closed Forest roads are listed on the Current Conditions page. Unlisted roads are open.

Gaps and conflicts in the official pages when they were checked.

• Conflict on the stay limit: the 2014 flyer (D1) says 28 days per Ranger District per year, while Order 05-04-50-25-17 says 28 total days per calendar year forest-wide.
• Conflict on distance from water: D1 and D5 say 100 ft; the current camping page (D21) says 200 ft.
• The documents do not give exact Recreation Restriction Area boundaries; they refer to maps and apps.
• The documents do not mention a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) or designated-route rules.
• No effective dates were given for the Ancient Bristlecone, Inyo Craters, Hot Creek, Mammoth Mill, Hanna Mill, B&B Mine and ESCCRP closure orders.
• The areas covered by the campfire orders for the Golden Trout and Hoover Wildernesses are shown only on exhibits that were not supplied.
• Wilderness permit fees, quotas and how to get a permit are not stated.
• No official map URL was among the supplied documents.

Is dispersed camping allowed in Inyo National Forest?

Allowed with restrictions. Dispersed camping is allowed outside developed campgrounds. It is not allowed inside Recreation Restriction Areas or in posted closed areas.

How long can you camp in Inyo National Forest?

The stay limit is 14 consecutive days within a 10-mile radius; 28 total days per calendar year forest-wide.

Are campfires allowed in Inyo National Forest?

Stage 1 fire restrictions: no fires, campfires, stove fires or charcoal except in the developed recreation sites listed in Exhibit A. With a valid California Campfire Permit, you may use a pressurized gas/liquid-fuel stove or lantern with a shut-off valve. Smoking is limited. This was the order in effect when the area was checked on September 24, 2026; confirm on the alerts page before you go.

Do you need a permit to camp in Inyo National Forest?

A free California Campfire Permit is required for any campfire, charcoal fire, camp stove or open flame. Get one at Forest Service, BLM or CAL FIRE offices, or online. Required for overnight camping in the Ansel Adams, John Muir, Hoover, Golden Trout and South Sierra wildernesses. Required at any time in the Mount Whitney Zone. Developed campground fees vary and are posted at campgrounds. Campfire permits are free. The documents state no fee for dispersed camping.