Family Camping Trip to Sierras

[Trout Killa]

Hey everybody I was hoping i could get some information on different camping/fishing spots that are good this time of year in Bishop/Mammoth area. I have camped below Lake Sabrina and fished all the surrounding lakes and streams for example Sabrina, Intake 2, South Lake, North Lake, PVR. Hit the Loop 2 years ago Gull, Rush, Silver, June. It will be my wife and 2 boys first trip up the 395 and would like to go with what I know but I have been reading about Bears in area quite often no attacks or anything but I know it will freak my wife out. So any recently camped areas that were somewhat bear free info will be greatly appreciated also enjoy exploring new lakes don't mind taking a hike to find the natives. Thanks guys

[pitman]

We've stayed at the McGee Creek Rv Park and Camp grounds the last two times. They have a few tent spots available. Hot showers real toilets. The nice part is your within striking distance from Bishop and Mammoth. The staff is great and you are less likely to come into contact with the bears.

[Viejo]

Bears are simply part of the Eastern Sierra experience, especially with the drought. Keep a very clean camp and use the bear boxes for everything. Bears would rather eat berries then people. There have been no "attacks" by a Black Bear other then one that started with, "Here, hold my beer and watch this".

[Trout Killa]

We've stayed at the McGee Creek Rv Park and Camp grounds the last two times. They have a few tent spots available. Hot showers real toilets. The nice part is your within striking distance from Bishop and Mammoth. The staff is great and you are less likely to come into contact with the bears.

Awesome thanks pitman

[retired96]

Rock Creek canyon is my favorite, numerous campgrounds from large to small, you can fish the creek, the lake and the upper Owens River is just a short drive up 395...I have camped in the area for over 50 years, camping 40 plus days a season and rarely do I see a bear....Keep your campsite clean and store your things in the bear boxes... When I camp the only thing you see in my site is my tent and chair....absolutely nothing is left out which is the reason I don't have a bear problem....All the restrooms have signs stating,,, " We don't have a bear problem we have a people problem"

[glegsurf]

I agree with camp cleanliness. And USING Bear Boxes. But if your neighbors are careless, a bear may pass through. Let your neighbor enjoy the bears company. Most of the time, bears are just curious.

[anguyen]

I would suggest Upper Gray Meadows campground in Independence. Took family camping there many times. Never encounter bears. Good creek fishing & hiking.

[fishreaper]

Bears are simply part of the Eastern Sierra experience, especially with the drought. Keep a very clean camp and use the bear boxes for everything. Bears would rather eat berries then people. There have been no "attacks" by a Black Bear other then one that started with, "Here, hold my beer and watch this".

Yes they are just like jackasses like you are simply part of the fishing community, the man asked for a place least likely to have bears, not one of your typical stupid responses... Tangent over.

[Viejo]

Yes they are just like jackasses like you are simply part of the fishing community, the man asked for a place least likely to have bears, not one of your typical stupid responses... Tangent over.

There are American Black Bears found all along the Eastern Sierra. There are no places where they are not found. Let's break the post down....Bears are part of the experience especially with the drought...not too stupid but very true. Keep and clean camp and use the bear boxes for everything...again a simple tip to keep the bears away that will inevitably show up. Without any food source-they leave. Pretty reasonable, I'd say. Bears would rather eat berries then people...should reassure his fearful wife...The final statement is pretty reasonable as well. Most attacks happen when drunk idiots do something stupid. Bears are everywhere unless you want to camp on the valley floor where it's 98 degrees. For a guy whose claim to fame here is peddling fishing gear, You sure as hell didn't try to offer any suggestions.

[fishreaper]

There are American Black Bears found all along the Eastern Sierra. There are no places where they are not found. Let's break the post down....Bears are part of the experience especially with the drought...not too stupid but very true. Keep and clean camp and use the bear boxes for everything...again a simple tip to keep the bears away that will inevitably show up. Without any food source-they leave. Pretty reasonable, I'd say. Bears would rather eat berries then people...should reassure his fearful wife...The final statement is pretty reasonable as well. Most attacks happen when drunk idiots do something stupid. Bears are everywhere unless you want to camp on the valley floor where it's 98 degrees. For a guy whose claim to fame here is peddling fishing gear, You sure as hell didn't try to offer any suggestions.

Never been to sierras no suggestions, just pointing out fact that your claim to fame is being a jackass to fellow board members, nothing but negative post in your history. Hey did i point out your a jackass

[pcuser]

Yes they are just like jackasses like you are simply part of the fishing community, the man asked for a place least likely to have bears, not one of your typical stupid responses... Tangent over.

What is your problem? Are you so closed minded that you see things in threads that don't exist.

[smidge]

I'll second Rock Creek great easy hiking to lakes and easy stream fishing next to all the campsites. Coldwater campground is nice too and easy bike ride to Mary for evening sessions. Kids can SUP and swim too.

[Nicelag]

One of the biggest bear attractants that I have seen are empty ice chests left out and accessible. Most people think "no biggie, there's nothing in it", but the smells are still present and it still smells good to Yogi!

It's kind of like the when the wifey leaves her empty purse visible in the car. The thief doesn't know it's empty until he breaks your $300 window and finds out for himself.

[Joshua]

I suggest Parcher's Resort on Bishop South Fork. Reasonably priced. I was told by some of the locals that the Bishop drainage doesn't have nearly the bear population as some of the other areas. This doesn't mean there aren't bears. There are, but I haven't seen one and I have been looking. I have sat up late around the campfire cooking bacon and had no takers. Yes, I was that drunk idiot!
If you prefer to camp. Creekside RV park (private) on Bishop South fork is a good spot. Or Four Jeffery (state campground) Very big campground,
I have camped in the Sierras at least 100 nights and the only bear I have seen was on the hillside near Rush Creek (june lake loop). It came within 20 yards of my mom,. She was a little shaken but grabbed her camera and got some fotos. By the time I saw the bear, it was half way up the hillside, Really had to look to spot it.

Men, Can we all play nice.

[AngryAgent]

Bears are simply part of the Eastern Sierra experience, especially with the drought. Keep a very clean camp and use the bear boxes for everything. Bears would rather eat berries then people. There have been no "attacks" by a Black Bear other then one that started with, "Here, hold my beer and watch this".

Can't say I disagree with this at all. We have encountered bears the last 3 years and they seem to be getting more bold as each year passes. We were told there was nothing the site owners could do this last time (Virginia Creek Settlement) when I had a bear tear up our trash every day and camp out on my porch while we were trying to make our dinner. True story..They told us that there was only one DFG agent for the whole area and he was more then 2 hours away but would come and try and figure out our bear problem. Fortunately for that bear I didn't have my pistol, but he won't be so lucky this year. I would have been in my rights to shoot that sucker when he was camped on my porch lol. Honestly though I would have probably just fired a shot in the air to scare him away, we are in "their" backyard not the other way around so keep that in mind too.

Best thing you can do is keep a clean camp and put food away when you are finished. Bears are scared of humans and only want to eat your food.


Never been to sierras no suggestions, just pointing out fact that your claim to fame is being a jackass to fellow board members, nothing but negative post in your history. Hey did i point out your a jackass

I saw nothing negative in his post and since I have been frequenting the Sierra's for more then 25 years myself I agree with everything he said. Please take your personal beef to PM, thanks..

[pcuser]

I suggest Parcher's Resort on Bishop South Fork. Reasonably priced. I was told by some of the locals that the Bishop drainage doesn't have nearly the bear population as some of the other areas. This doesn't mean there aren't bears. There are, but I haven't seen one and I have been looking. I have sat up late around the campfire cooking bacon and had no takers. Yes, I was that drunk idiot!
If you prefer to camp. Creekside RV park (private) on Bishop South fork is a good spot. Or Four Jeffery (state campground) Very big campground,
I have camped in the Sierras at least 100 nights and the only bear I have seen was on the hillside near Rush Creek (june lake loop). It came within 20 yards of my mom,. She was a little shaken but grabbed her camera and got some fotos. By the time I saw the bear, it was half way up the hillside, Really had to look to spot it.

Men, Can we all play nice.

Have you seen the bear in Brock's in Bishop. That sucker broke into Parcher's kitchen and several of the old cabins. This occurred in the late sixties. The bear was tracked down and killed over Bishop Pass. It was the state record for a long time. The cabins were torn down over time and the back door in the kitchen was eventually replaced. It had deep scratches in it's frame. The scratches were pretty cool if you ask me. Ah, the memories.

[Joshua]

One trophy bear back in the 60s doesnt constitute a bear infestation. I was told by locals that the bishop pass is more difficult to traverse so the bears go elsewhere.
If you are still afraid of bears. I suggest Chicago. They don't scare anyone.

[AngryAgent]

If you are still afraid of bears. I suggest Chicago. They don't scare anyone.

Ouch and the ref takes a point away for a low blow!

I'm a bear fan LMAO

[DEVOREFLYER]

Here is pic from a cousin taken at his cabin yesterday. Not in the Sierras though, damn Bears are everywhere I tell ya everywhere.

http://i.imgur.com/V1ZwUCi.jpg

[pcuser]

One trophy bear back in the 60s doesnt constitute a bear infestation. I was told by locals that the bishop pass is more difficult to traverse so the bears go elsewhere.
If you are still afraid of bears. I suggest Chicago. They don't scare anyone.

I wasn't suggesting there is a bear infestation. It was just a great memory from my youth. Actually, I grew up fishing that drainage in the fifties and sixties. I never saw any dangerous animals there, ever. The closest I came to that was when I was camped at the first big lake over the pass in Dusy Basin. I was up fishing early around the lake when I found sharp, clean mountain lion tracks in the morning snow. I was the only one on that side of the lake and it was a bit spooky.