Big Trees Campground

Star4.63
17 reviews
798 N Main St Bishop, CA 93514

Quick Facts

7,500 ft

Price

$10 - $34/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Allowed

RV Friendly

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Big Trees Campground
$10.00 - $34.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Overnight campsite costs $34 per night for single sites, with an additional vehicle fee of $10 per night. America the Beautiful Senior and Access...
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Standard Site Fee$34.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$34.00

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USFS
Provider
(760) 873-2500

What Campers Say

4.63

Top-Rated

Based on 17 reviews

35 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanrestroomsshade

"User reviews of Big Trees Campground highlight its cleanliness, peaceful environment, and well-maintained facilities. However, some reviewers express dissatisfaction with the behavior of certain camp hosts, particularly regarding fee management."

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Fees & Passes at Big Trees Campground

$10 - $34/night

Campsite fees

Standard Site

Basic tent/RV spot

$34/night

Stay Limit: Maximum stay 7 days.

Prices verified November 17, 2025

Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official White Mountain Public Lands Information Center website.


Best Time to Camp at Big Trees Campground

Big Trees transforms with the seasons, offering distinct experiences throughout the year. Winter blankets the campground in pristine snow, creating a wonderland for the hardy cold-weather camper. As spring arrives, the landscape awakens with wildflowers and rushing snowmelt. Summer brings pleasantly warm days and cool mountain nights, with minimal rainfall creating perfect conditions for outdoor adventures. The high elevation ensures temperatures remain comfortable even during the warmest months.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips

    About Big Trees Campground

    Beneath the towering canopy of ancient Jeffrey pines that give this campground its name, Big Trees offers a serene retreat along the melodious waters of Bishop Creek. Here, campers can choose between sun-drenched sites perfect for stargazing or shaded havens beneath centuries-old giants. The creek's gentle murmur provides a natural soundtrack while offering excellent fishing opportunities just steps from your tent.
    Big Trees Campground features primitive and tent camping options. RV camping is also supported, although limited by the absence of electrical, water, or sewer hookups.
    Weather and SeasonsBig Trees transforms with the seasons, offering distinct experiences throughout the year. Winter blankets the campground in pristine snow, creating a wonderland for the hardy cold-weather camper. As spring arrives, the landscape awakens with wildflowers and rushing snowmelt. Summer brings pleasantly warm days and cool mountain nights, with minimal rainfall creating perfect conditions for outdoor adventures. The high elevation ensures temperatures remain comfortable even during the warmest months.
    ElevationPerched at 7,500 feet in the Eastern Sierra, Big Trees offers a refreshing mountain climate that's a world away from the desert heat below. This lofty elevation—more than 3,000 feet higher than the town of Bishop—creates a natural air conditioning system, with temperatures typically running 15-20 degrees cooler than the valley floor. The thin mountain air and spectacular night skies make this an ideal basecamp for both relaxation and high-altitude adventures.
    Natural Features and SceneryThe majestic Jeffrey pines stand as silent sentinels throughout the campground, their vanilla-scented bark and massive trunks creating a cathedral-like atmosphere. Bishop Creek winds through the area, its crystal-clear waters teeming with rainbow and brown trout. The surrounding peaks frame dramatic vistas in every direction, while the diverse ecosystem supports everything from chattering chipmunks to soaring hawks. Morning light filters through the pine boughs, and evening alpenglow paints the mountains in shades of rose and gold.
    Geological RegionNestled within the rugged grandeur of Inyo National Forest, Big Trees Campground occupies a special niche where water, stone, and forest converge. The campground sits in a glacially carved valley along Bishop Creek, where millennia of geological forces have created a landscape of granite peaks, alpine meadows, and stream-polished boulders. The signature Jeffrey pines thrive in this unique ecosystem, their deep roots anchoring into decomposed granite soil while their crowns reach toward Sierra skies.
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    Campsite details

    AccessibilityAccessibility features are not explicitly mentioned in the source materials.
    Sites SizeThe campground accommodates standard-sized campsites. No specific dimensions are provided.
    Sites PrivacyUser reviews indicate varying levels of privacy, with several campsites offering shaded and creekside locations, while others are more exposed and clustered.
    Total Campsites16 campsites
    Recommended CampsitesSites along Bishop Creek are ideal for their proximity to water and shade, according to user reviews.

    Best Campsites

    Curated by campers, for campers
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    Reserving a campsite

    Stay Limit
    Maximum stay 7 days.
    Groups
    No specific information is provided about designated group camping sites.
    Tents
    Tents are allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are allowed

    Reservation PlatformsReservations may be available via websites or phone, although specific platforms are not listed.
    Walk-in AvailabilityDoes not accept reservations, sites are only available on a walk-in basis.

    Amenities available

    Potable water
    Food storage lockers
    Picnic tables
    Flush toilets
    Vault toilets

    Activities you can enjoy

    Big Trees Campground provides opportunities for fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation. The peaceful setting along Bishop Creek is noted for its waterfalls and shaded campsites, creating an enjoyable outdoor atmosphere for visitors.
    Hiking
    User reviews mention easy access to hiking trails nearby, including the Bishop Pass Trailhead, which leads to Long Lake. "Only a short 10-mile drive on an excellent paved road to the Bishop Pass Trailhead," says one camper.
    Fishing
    Fishing is permitted along Bishop Creek, although user reviews offer mixed experiences. One user commented, "Caught a bunch of moss but not much else," while others enjoyed the setting despite limited fish availability.
    Wildlife viewing
    The active bear area and proximity to Bishop Creek provide opportunities for observing wildlife, though campers are advised not to feed or interact with animals.
    Winter Activities
    Some user reviews suggest that the area may experience snowfall during colder months, which could allow for winter-related activities such as snowshoeing or photography.
    Water Sports
    No specific mention of non-motorized water sports like kayaking or paddleboarding is found in the sources.
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are allowed
    • Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

    Hazards

    General hazardsActive bear area; campers are advised to use bear-proof food storage containers. Wildlife encounters are possible. Some reviews mention fishing challenges due to moss in the stream.

    Weather at Big Trees Campground

    38
    °F
    Dec 7
    Sunday
    Clear sky
    Precipitation: 0%

    Moderate wind, may affect light items

    Humidity: 37%

    Comfortable humidity levels

    Wind: 7.2 mph

    Moderate wind, may affect light items

    Clear sky

    Weather History
    Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

    Detailed 7-Day Forecast
    Powered by AI weather analysis
    Reveal forecast

    Emergency Services

    White Mountain Public Lands Information Center located in Bishop, CA.

    Good to know

    Trash and recyclingTrash and recycling facilities are not mentioned in the sources. Campers are required to keep a clean camp and secure food to mitigate wildlife issues.
    Proximity to water featuresLocated along the banks of Bishop Creek, providing opportunities for fishing and scenic creekside camping.
    Common complaintsSeveral user reviews mention issues with the camp host regarding fees and vehicle rules. "The campground manager crossed out the rule stating 2 cars per site and made it 1." "The camp host demanded we pay again even though we already paid."
    HostMixed reviews about the camp hosts, ranging from helpful and welcoming to complaints about fee controversies.

    Campground Map

    798 N Main St Bishop, CA 93514
    Driving directionsFrom Bishop go west on State Route 168 (West Line St) for approximately 9 miles. The campground is on the left just past the 7,000 foot elevation sign.
    The campground is accessible by paved road and is located just past the 7,000-foot elevation sign, with no seasonal closures or challenging terrain reported.
    Nearby places
    Bishop (9 miles, approximately 15 minutes)
    Nearby supplies
    Supplies can be found in Bishop, CA, 9 miles away, including groceries, fuel, and camping gear.

    Reviews from booking and map sources

    4.6
    17 reviews
    Top-Rated
    Top-Rated
    Big Trees Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
    User reviews of Big Trees Campground highlight its cleanliness, peaceful environment, and well-maintained facilities. However, some reviewers express dissatisfaction with the behavior of certain camp hosts, particularly regarding fee management.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 17 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Many positive reviews emphasize the clean restrooms, shaded campsites, and proximity to Bishop Creek. "Bathrooms cleaned daily," "flush toilets and potable water spigots throughout the campground...
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    Based on 17 reviews

    Common Concerns

    Negative feedback includes complaints about camp hosts charging extra fees under questionable circumstances, as noted by multiple users: "He crossed it out and made it a 1," referring to vehicle...
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    Based on 17 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Campers recommend securing creekside campsites for the best experience and visiting nearby attractions like Cardinal Village for lunch. "Get a lunch at Cardinal Village, buy a mug, free coffee...
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    Based on 17 reviews

    Seasonal Insights

    User reviews vary seasonally, with summer visits praised for cooler temperatures at higher elevations compared to nearby Bishop. Winter conditions may include snow, affecting accessibility and...
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    Based on 17 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    "Bathrooms cleaned daily!" "Camp very clean." "Lovely camping beside the roaring stream." "Caught a bunch of moss but not much else." "It was incredible. Beautiful area wasn't too busy."
    Based on 17 reviews

    Site-Specific Reviews

    Users indicate creekside campsites offer the best experience due to proximity to water and shade. "There are great shaded creekside campsites that are well spaced and are amazing if u can get one."
    Based on 17 reviews

    Accessibility Features

    Accessibility features for campers with disabilities are not mentioned specifically in user reviews.
    Based on 17 reviews

    Pet-Friendly Features

    The campground is pet-friendly, requiring dogs to be leashed in all developed recreation areas. No further details are provided.
    Based on 17 reviews

    Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers

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    Last updated November 17, 2025
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