The ULTIMATE Eastern Sierra Road Trip (California Highway 395)

Last updated on December 8th, 2025

Looking to road trip the epic Highway 395 in California’s Eastern Sierra? We’re sharing our top spots to check out along the way, where to stay, and more!

We have been lucky enough to explore most of the state of California over the years. Including the dramatic coastline along Big Sur, all 9 National Parks, the crystal clear Lake Tahoe, and the underrated Redding area. In our opinion, California is home to some of the most diverse and stunning scenery in the United States.

And our favorite region across the entire state is the Eastern Sierra! Located along California’s Highway 395, this region from Lone Pine to Bridgeport contains a plethora of mountain views, epic hikes, hot springs, small towns, unique rock formations, alpine lakes, rivers, and so much more. We spent over a month road tripping through this region and fell madly in love. The mix of scenery and activities accessible within a 147 mile drive is hard to beat! 

Want to experience this outdoor paradise for yourself? We’re sharing how to have the ultimate Eastern Sierra road trip along the scenic Highway 395. Including all of our must-visit stops, favorite hikes, best eats, and where to stay along the way. Plus a couple suggestions of how to split up your time in the area!

The best stops along Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra

Although Highway 395 runs from just north of San Bernardino, California up to Washington, we’re focusing solely on the 147 mile portion from Lone Pine to Bridgeport, along the Eastern Sierra.

We’re listing all of the best stops along Highway 395 in order from south to north, but you can easily drive the road in the opposite direction. And to add these stops to your Google Maps, save our custom Google Map above!

Lone Pine

The small town of Lone Pine was founded in the 1860s as a supply town for gold mines in the area. Since then, it has played a huge role in Hollywood Western film history. For over 100 years the area has been the scene for hundreds of movies, TV shows, and commercials. 

Today you can experience some of this history in both Lone Pine and in the Alabama Hills Recreation Area!

Alabama Hills Cafe

The Alabama Hills Cafe & Bakery is a popular spot to fuel up for adventure in Lone Pine. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch (closing at 3 PM) every day, minus Wednesday, when they take a day off. Along with tons of baked goods, they also serve burritos, pancakes, and a variety of breakfast plates. For lunch they offer sandwiches, burgers, wraps, soups, salads, and more.  

Be sure to get a photo of the mural outside before you leave!

Museum of Western Film History

The Museum of Western Film History in Lone Pine displays history and some artifacts of western films and shows shot in the area. There is no admission fee, but they do ask for an $8 donation per person. 

Inside the museum you’ll find exhibits about the major eras, films, and TV shows that were filmed in the Alabama Hills and Lone Pine. Plus tons of memorabilia! Like the wagon from Django Unchained, the car from High Sierra, and props from Tremors.

You can also see some old film cameras, drive-in theatre projectors, old cars, and vintage posters! We’d recommend watching a few movies like High Sierra, Iron Man, Django Unchained, or Gunga Din before visiting the museum. 

We highly recommend stopping here before visiting the Alabama Hills! It gave us a much greater appreciation for the area.

Alabama Hills Recreation Area

Located just a few minutes west outside of Lone Pine is the Alabama Hills Recreation Area, a free area managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Here you can find a landscape covered in giant boulders, with a dramatic backdrop of the Eastern Sierra, including Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 at 14,505 feet. It’s a unique mix of desert and mountain scenery and is a wonderland for photographers, rock climbers, mountain bikers, hikers, campers, and western film buffs. 

One of the best things to do in the Alabama Hills is to drive Movie Road, which is a 5.7 mile stretch of road that winds through the area. It takes you through the rocky terrain past arches, overlooks, and famous film locations. Some of the must stops in the park include Nightmare Rock, the Shark Fin, the Mobius Arch, and the Movie Road Hill.

You can also camp for free in the area. But there are a lot of rules to be aware of, which we cover in this guide!

Whitney Portal Road

Whitney Portal Road takes you to Whitney Portal, the trailhead to summit Mount Whitney. The road climbs 5,000 feet from town to an area where there are 3 campgrounds and several trails. 

Summiting Mount Whitney itself requires a permit most of the year, for both day hikes and overnight trips. And these are very competitive to get (we unfortunately didn’t snag one)!

But even if you weren’t lucky enough to get a permit to climb Mount Whitney there are other hikes to enjoy. Some hikes include the Whitney Portal National Recreation Trail, the Meysan Trail (difficult), and to Lone Pine Lake. Plus, from the area you get a great view of the tallest peak in North America.

Right next to the Mt. Whitney Trailhead is the Whitney Portal Store. The store offers souvenirs and gifts, but more importantly food! Their menu includes breakfast plates with pancakes bigger than your head, burgers and fries, and more. It’s definitely a great spot to fill up before or after (or both) an adventure! 

Manzanar National Historic Site

Located just north of Lone Pine is the Manzanar National Historic Site. This is one of 10 sites where the US Government incarcerated Japanese-Americans and Japanese immigrants ineligible for US citizenship during World War II in 1942. Over 110,000 men, women, and children were sent to these camps and over 10,000 of those were sent to Manzanar. 

Today it is a National Historic Site where you can learn about the experiences of those who were forced to stay here. The site also shares the history of the area before the concentration camp, including Paiute settlements and homesteaders in the 1800s.

Independence

As you continue north on Highway 395 you’ll come across the small town of Independence. Here you can grab some ice cream from Eastern Sierra Ice Cream Company, which came highly recommended to us by many people! Unfortunately they are closed Tuesdays-Thursdays, which is when we were in the area, so we were unable to try them ourselves. Make sure to get an extra scoop for us!

Independence is also the gateway to the Kearsarge Pass Trail, a popular hike that takes you up to Kearsarge Pass and Kearsarge Lake in Kings Canyon National Park. Because this hike ends in the National Park, the last portion within the park is not dog friendly.

Big Pine

Big Pine provides easy access to both the Eastern Sierra Nevada in the west and the White Mountains in the east. Both ranges offer endless outdoor adventure! In the White Mountains you can find the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, home to ancient trees. And in the Sierra Nevada is the Big Pine Lakes area and the Palisade Glacier, one of the largest remaining glaciers in the range. 

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is home to Bristlecone Pines, which are the oldest trees in the world! To get here, you’ll climb 6,000 feet from the valley, along a steep and windy road. With amazing views along the way!

While here you can explore the trees on two different trails, the Methuselah Trail and the Schulman Grove Discovery Trail.

The Methuselah Trail is home to a tree named Methuselah, which is said to be the oldest named individual tree on Earth at 4,853 years old. While the tree is apparently somewhere along the trail, they don’t mark it to prevent damage and protect it. 

Due to snow levels during our visit, we hiked the Discovery Trail which is only about 1 mile round trip. It is a perfect trail to experience the trees and see sweeping views of the area!

Note: There is a $3 per person fee to visit. But it is free if you have the America the Beautiful Pass!

Big Pine Lakes

The Big Pine Lakes Trail is a popular trail that takes you to a group of lakes near Big Pine. There are at least seven named lakes, all named numerically and roughly in the order you reach them. 

The most popular of the lakes is Second Lake, which is said to be one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in California. It has turquoise water, which is a result of glacial runoff from the nearby Palisade Glacier, one of the southernmost glaciers in the United States. Plus a backdrop of the impressive and towering Temple Crag!

Many people who day hike this will go here and turn around. But we suggest going to at least Fifth Lake, which has even more mountain views. And if you can, we suggest camping out here.  You will need a permit (Big Pine Creek North Fork is the one you’ll need) to stay overnight in the wilderness. 

These permits are competitive, with 15 becoming available 6 months in advance and the final 10 permits being released 2 weeks before. They tend to sell out within minutes, but we have noticed quite a few last minute cancellations.

We camped at Second Lake, day hiked to the other lakes, and it was a magical experience! You can watch our experience here! (coming soon)

Copper Top BBQ

No drive between Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra is complete without a stop at Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine! 

They have some of your usual BBQ suspects, but they are specifically known for their tri-tip. It’s a popular cut of beef in California, so much so that it’s called the “California Cut.” On our visit we got a pound of tri-tip and some creamy, delicious Mac and Cheese. 

And the best part? Right from the seating area you have mountain views and a nice view of their smokers, where you can watch them work their magic.

If you don’t make it during their open hours, have no fear! They have a 24 hour BBQ vending machine (a truly genius idea!). You can get tri-tip, a smores kit, other meats, sides, drinks, and more. 

Bishop

Bishop is one of the largest towns in the Eastern Sierra. This town of about 3,700 offers a variety of restaurants, a handful of accommodations, and major grocery chains. It’s a great place to base camp and or reprovision on your Highway 395 road trip!

And if you need some outdoor gear or backpacking meals check out Eastside Sports, Sage to Summit, or Mammoth Mountaineering Supply Gear Exchange. 

Check out local coffee shops

For coffee we enjoyed Black Sheep Coffee Roasters! Their lattes with homemade syrups were the perfect pick me up after a long hike. Looney Bean and Pupfish Cafe are also popular options!

We also would have loved to try Indy Coffee Roasting Company’s Coffee Church. This roasting company opens their doors on Sunday mornings from 8 AM to noon and offers specialty drinks and in house made pastries. We unfortunately weren’t in town on a Sunday, but we definitely want to check it out next time! 

Erick Schat’s Bakery

Erick Schat’s Bakery is a Bishop institution! We read in 2021 they had 2.5 million visitors and that they bake 25,000 loaves of bread PER day, which is more than 6 times the population of Bishop. The outside has a European design and the inside is loaded with endless baked goods. Everywhere you look is something delicious. So be prepared to have a hard time choosing what to get!

During our visit we tried an apple fritter (Adam’s favorite pastry) and a strawberry Danish and they were both ridiculously good! We also got a sandwich with their “world famous” sheepherder bread. This bread was introduced to the area during the California Gold Rush by Basque immigrants who missed their home country’s bread. Adam loved it and we even had to go back for a full loaf on a future visit!

Eat at some local restaurants

Bishop Creek Canyon

Don’t worry, there is more to do in Bishop than eat and drink coffee!

If you head west from town on CA-168 you’ll make it to Bishop Creek Canyon, an area with gorgeous creeks and high-altitude lakes. 

There are multiple lakes accessible by car, including North Lake, South Lake, and Lake Sabrina (pronounced “suh-bry-na”). Plus many others accessed by strenuous hikes including Lake George and Blue Lake. These lakes all lie at 9,000 feet or above, which make a welcome break from the summer heat in the valley (Bishop gets HOT in the summer)!

This area is also home to some amazing fishing, both in the lakes and Bishop Creek. Adam spent a day fishing in the area and while he didn’t get super lucky, we did see lots of trout in the water.

Laws Railroad Museum & Historic Site

The Laws Railroad Museum & Historic Site is an 11 acre complex that includes a museum, original depot, locomotives, and more. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits full of vintage photographs, artifacts, wagons, equipment, and the original “Slim Princess” steam engine. 

The site and buildings were donated in 1960 to Inyo County and the city of Bishop and a museum opened in 1964. Since then the site has been recreated with other donated buildings and artifacts to depict what life was like in the town of Laws 100 years ago. 

At the museum you’ll be immersed in pioneer life through a physical connection to the past. This is a spot we’re excited to visit on our next trip to Bishop!

Rock Creek Lakes

Rock Creek is a 20 mile valley between Bishop and Mammoth Lakes. The area is famous for its Little Lakes Basin, where you’ll find a line of small lakes linked by a hiking trail (more on that next!). 

But besides this hike there is also Rock Creek Lake to enjoy, several campgrounds, plus the Rock Creek Lakes Resort. The resort offers cabins for rent, a store, and a grill that specializes in smoked meats.

Little Lakes Valley Trail

One of our favorite hikes this summer was the Little Lakes Valley Trail to Gem Lakes. At 7.2 miles and just over 1,000 feet of gain, it’s a relatively easy day hike. However, keep in mind that you will be starting at over 10,000 feet of elevation, so even though it’s not super steep, breathing may be a bit harder. 

Because of its relatively easy distance and elevation gain, it can get very busy. In fact, this was the busiest hike we did in all of the Eastern Sierra. So make sure to arrive at the trailhead as early as possible to snag a parking spot. We arrived right at sunrise and had the entire hike to Gem Lake all to ourselves. But on the way back, there were tons of people.

A+K Tip: If you love to fish, this is a great hike for fishing! Adam caught two small trout in two casts at Gem Lake and we saw lots of people fishing at Long Lake.

Crowley Lake

Crowley Lake is a large reservoir and community just 12 miles south of Mammoth Lakes. Created by the Long Valley Dam in 1941, it is a great place to boat, fish, waterski, and wakeboard. But one of the lake’s most famous attractions are the unique rock formations known as the Crowley Lake Columns. 

Not to get too scientific, but around 780,000 years ago a massive volcanic eruption occurred, creating the 20 mile long and 11 mile wide Long Valley Caldera. Researchers believe that when rainwater seeped into the hot ash, it created the mordenite columns you see today.

While these columns are all over the Long Valley Caldera, the ones at Crowley Lake are exposed because the rising and lowering of the lake level has eroded the soil around the columns.

If you want to get up close to these columns you can do so by hiking two miles each way on the Crowley Lakes Columns Trail. You can also get closer if you have a 4WD vehicle or by boat. Keep in mind that during some points of the year, the water levels are higher, which makes it so you can’t go right up to the columns. Make sure to read recent reports in advance to better know what to expect!

Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Lakes is the largest and most popular town in the Eastern Sierra. It is known for its amazing skiing, hiking, amazing lakes, and other outdoor adventures. And we can confidently say it is our new favorite town in California! 

Besides being a great place to explore, it’s also one of the best places to provision, take care of any chores, or stay while in the Eastern Sierra. In town you’ll find everything you need from outdoor stores (Mammoth Mountaineering Supply is great!), high quality restaurants, grocery stores, a laundromat (which takes Apple Pay…score!), and a variety of lodging options. 

Convict Lake

Just a few minutes off Highway 395, southeast of Mammoth Lakes, is Convict Lake. This gorgeous lake has super clear, blue water and towering peaks behind it!

You may be wondering, why is this lake called Convict Lake? Back in 1871 a group of escaped convicts from Carson City, Nevada were trapped at the lake. A shootout occurred and two locals, Robert Morrison and Mono Jim were killed. The convicts were eventually caught, but because of this, the large peaks behind the lake were named after Morrison and Mono Jim and the lake became known as Convict Lake. 

While at Convict Lake you can hike the Convict Lake Loop, camp, fish, boat, plus enjoy time out on the water. If you want to get on the water you can rent boats, kayaks, or paddleboards at the Convict Lake Resort Marina.

Soak in hot springs

Thanks to the Long Valley Caldera, there is tons of geothermal activity in this area. Which means lots of hot springs! Sitting in a hot spring at sunrise or sunset, with the mountains surrounding you, is a must-do while in the Eastern Sierra.

There are many hot springs near Mammoth Lakes, with the largest and most popular being Wild Willy’s Hot Spring. Here you can find a handful of different pools, all with mountain views. We soaked at sunrise one morning midweek and while there were other people around, we had one of the pools to ourselves for a bit! In our opinion, it’s the best hot spring in Mammoth Lakes. And if you’re looking for more information on how to visit, we have a detailed guide about what to expect.

Some others to check out near Mammoth Lakes are The Rock Tub Hot Springs, Hilltop Hot Springs, and Crab Cooker Hot Springs (this one is extra hot!). 

Before you visit these hot springs, here are a few important things to know:
Although we didn’t experience this at the hot springs we visited, we’ve noticed that hot springs are trash magnets. People tend to leave clothes and trash. PLEASE pack out everything you bring in. And if you can, pick up any trash you find!

Also, clothing is optional at the hot springs, so be prepared to see some nudity. 

Lastly, all of these hot springs are located down dirt roads. While they can be done in any vehicle, high clearance is best, as some of the roads can be a bit rough.

Hot Creek Geologic Site

Besides hot springs you can soak in, the Hot Creek Geologic Site also has some extra hot springs that you can admire from afar. This is again, thanks to the Long Valley Caldera!

This FREE site is home to the Hot Creek Interpretive Trail, which takes you down a path to get a better look at the steamy hot springs. Including some that have a bright blue color! For an even better view of the hot springs, check out Brees Lookout. This is an awesome spot for sunrise and sunset!

As you explore, be careful where you walk and pay attention to the signs! The water in the creek can be very inconsistent and get extremely hot, with changes of 200ºF within seconds being recorded in the past.

Beyond just walking the trail, Hot Creek is also one of the best trout fishing spots in California. If you follow the interpretive trail further down the canyon, past the main geothermal features, you can fish easily from the trail and shoreline. Adam caught quite a few trout here and was super stoked! 

Try some local restaurants

Being the largest town in this area, there are lots of great food options in Mammoth. We especially loved Dos Alas CubaRican Cafe, which is a delicious Cuban and Puerto Rican restaurant with an incredible view! Make sure to make a reservation in advance, as it’s a small spot and they fill up. And whatever you do, you MUST order the coconut bread pudding dessert!

Some other great spots in town are The Warming Hut, Roberto’s Cafe (the enchiladas and salsa were 10/10!), Distant Brewing, Capybara Empanadas, The Stove, Mammoth Smoke Shack, and Mammoth Brewing Company.

Have a cup at a local coffee shop

With nonstop adventures to be had in Mammoth Lakes, you may want to grab coffee for a little pick me up. Black Velvet Coffee Roaster is our favorite spot in town! They have some really delicious specialty drinks. Be warned, it is a bit pricier!

Stellar Brew & Natural Cafe and Mammoth Coffee Roasting, Co. look great also!

Go hiking or backpacking!

The Mammoth Lakes area is home to tons of amazing hikes! During our visit we hiked the Duck Pass and Pika Lake Trail and LOVED it! You get to experience a handful of stunning lakes, amazing views, and rugged peaks.

Some other great day hikes include the Barney Lake Trail, Crystal Lake Trail, and Inyo Craters Loop.

And for those who want to backpack, Mammoth Lakes is a great gateway into the higher elevation lakes and peaks in the Eastern Sierra. We backpacked to Thousand Island Lake, Garnet Lake, and Ediza Lake during our visit (this is a popular route, adding on Ediza Lake as well). The Minarets are another popular backpacking spot!

Mammoth Lakes Basin

One of the best things about Mammoth Lakes is the Mammoth Lakes Basin. This area is just a short drive from town and has 5 lakes you can drive to. 

While all of the lakes are beautiful, our personal favorite lake is Lake George! We spent multiple days here just chillin’ in a hammock, reading, attempting to fish (no luck!), and bravely swimming in the frigid waters (only Adam on that one). It is a true paradise!

Devils Postpile National Monument

Mammoth Mountain Ski area

One of the most popular spots to visit in Mammoth is the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. In the winter, it’s one of the premier skiing and snowboarding destinations in all of California. And in the summer, there is lots to do as well.

In the summer the park turns into one of the country’s largest lift-served bike parks. It has over 80 miles of single track trails for all ability levels. You can also enjoy their adventure center (climbing, ropes course, etc), mountain coaster, gondola ride, and so much more!

June Lake Loop

Just a few miles north of Mammoth is the June Lake Loop, one of the best side trips off of Highway 395! On this 16 mile scenic loop drive you can find four lakes: June, Gull, Silver, and Grant Lakes.

All of the lakes are accessible by car and the area is open year round. At June Lake ($10 parking fee) there is a large beach to hang out at on warm summer days. Gull Lake is the smallest of the four, but is said to offer good fishing. 

Silver Lake is home to The Silver Lake Resort and the area provides access to the Rush Creek Trail and other trails into The Ansel Adams Wilderness and Yosemite National Park. We backpacked to Thousand Island Lake via the Rush Creek Trail and it was epic (but very steep)!

The largest of the lakes is Grant Lake. However, this lake has a more barren appearance than the others. The lake is very popular for watersports such as waterskiing and wakeboarding, as well as trout fishing. It is also close to the Parker Lake Trail!

Besides the lakes there is also the community of June Lake. Here you can find a variety of shops and restaurants, like The Lift, Epic Cafe, La Parilla Grill & Tacos, June Pie Pizza Co, Balanced Rock Grill & Cantina, and Local Scoop. There are also various campgrounds and cabins out here, making it a fun place to stay on your Highway 395 road trip!

Lee Vining & Mono Lake

Continuing north on your Highway 395 road trip you’ll come across the small town of Lee Vining, the gateway to Yosemite National Park, from the east. As well as Mono Lake (pronounced “moe-know”), a unique lake that further proves the diversity of scenery in the Eastern Sierra.

Drive Tioga Road

Tioga Road runs from Lee Vining all the way to Crane Flat in Yosemite National Park. And is the highest highway pass in California!

Only open during the summer, with its opening date differing year to year, this road is one of the best things to do in the Eastern Sierra!

The first part of the road, when coming from Lee Vining, will take you through some crazy mountain views, plus by the beautiful roadside Ellery Lake and Tioga Lake. As well as access to the Twenty Lakes Basin and Saddlebag Lake Loop!

Once in Yosemite National Park (which may require a reservation, depending on when you visit), you can explore Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, Olmsted Point, and one of our favorite hikes in the park, Cathedral Lakes.

Whoa Nellie Deli

Before or after exploring Tioga Road, make sure to stop by the Whoa Nellie Deli, located in the Mobil 1 gas station. It might sound unassuming, but they’re known for delicious food, especially the fish tacos! 

Mono Lake

Mono Lake is an ancient saline lake that is over 1 million years old, making it one of the oldest lakes in North America. This lake covers 65 square miles and has no outlet, so as the freshwater evaporates, it leaves a high concentration of salts and minerals that have washed into the lake over time, making it 2.5 times as salty as the ocean.

And because of the high concentration of salt, the lake has formed tufa towers, which are calcium carbonate spires and knobs that have formed from the mix of freshwater springs and the alkaline lake water. 

To see the tufas, we highly recommend going to the South Tufa Area. It is especially beautiful at sunrise, where you can see reflections in the water and watch the tufas and nearby mountains illuminate from the rising sun.

Bridgeport

Bridgeport is the final town you’ll come across on your Highway 395 road trip in the Eastern Sierra. This small town has a lot of charm, with a cute downtown, some great local restaurants, and access to one of the best ghost towns in the United States!

Bodie State Historic Park

From 1877 to 1882, Bodie was a bustling mining town, with around 8,000 residents, 2,000 buildings, and producing over $38 million in gold and silver. And like most mining towns, after the boom ended, many people left, causing many buildings to fall vacant and 90% succumbing to fires over the years. 

Today, Bodie State Historic Park is home to 200 abandoned wooden buildings and is said to be one of the best preserved ghost towns in the country. There is an $8 fee per adult (less for children) to explore the grounds. Which is a lot of fun on its own!

But for an even better experience, join the Standard Stamp Mill Tour! This tour happens daily in the summer at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. It costs $6 per person and you can get tickets at the museum. It’s well worth it to get to explore inside the mill!

Try out the local eats

Despite being a small town, Bridgeport has quite a few solid food options. For a sweet treat, High Sierra Bakery is a must! Their apple fritters and turtles (a fried dough with cream in between) are both heavenly. We also loved The Barn for juicy burgers and carne asada fries! 

Soak in more hot springs

Mammoth Lakes isn’t the only area in the Eastern Sierra with hot springs you can soak in! There are a couple popular spots near Bridgeport as well like Travertine Hot Springs and Buckeye Hot Spring. 

We personally visited the Travertine Hot Springs, which was a neat spot! There are two main pools, which have limestone build up, giving them a unique appearance. These will likely have people in them, since they are the closest and most iconic. But there are also smaller, more hidden pools to explore if you follow a trail through the area. We walked down the path and found a small pool (with mountain views) to enjoy alone!

How much time do you need to road trip Highway 395 in California?

The limit does not exist!

While you could easily drive Highway 395 through the Eastern Sierra in one day, there is so much to see and do that we think it deserves much more time!

We spent about 5 weeks in the area (both working and exploring) and know we WILL be back many more times in the future. But for a shorter trip, we’d suggest dedicating the following amount of time per area, for a total of 9-12 days! You can easily cut down the time in each area if you have less time as well.

Lone Pine: 1-2 days

The perfect day would be breakfast at the Alabama Hills Cafe, a visit to the Museum of Western Film History, and then spend the rest of the day at the Alabama Hills. If you can, we suggest camping out there for the night too!

Big Pine: 1-3 days

For the Big Pine area, there are quite a few ways to spend your time here. We highly recommend spending one day visiting the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest and grabbing BBQ at Copper Top BBQ.

Your second day can be spent hiking to Big Pine Lakes, with the option to add on a night and camp at the lakes, for a total of three days in the area.

Bishop: 1 day

A day trip to Bishop will give you the chance to enjoy some coffee and baked goods in town, check out the lakes in Bishop Creek Canyon (or go for a longer hike), and then head back to town for dinner.

Mammoth Lakes: 3 days

There is a lot to do in Mammoth Lakes to keep you busy and 3 days will help you see the highlights!

On your first day, visit the hot springs near town and check out Hot Creek Geologic Site. Convict Lake or Crowley Lake also make for a great addition to this day! 

For your second day, choose one of the larger hikes in the area to do. We suggest Duck Pass and Pika Lake, but the Little Lakes Valley (between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop) is another good choice! If you have 4 days, you could do one hike per day.

On your third and final day, head to Devils Postpile National Monument in the morning. The monument is pretty small and can be experienced in 3-4 hours. Afterwards, head to the Mammoth Lakes Basin and relax at Lake George for the rest of the day!

June Lake & Lee Vining: 2 days

In Lee Vining, we suggest spending one day driving Tioga Road into Yosemite National Park. This will be a full day, with many stops and hikes along the way! Afterwards, return to Lee Vining for dinner at Whoa Nellie Deli.

On your second day, visit Mono Lake! This can be a quick stop, depending on how much time you want to spend. So we’d suggest spending the rest of the day driving the June Lake Loop and hanging out at the lakes, plus grabbing food in town. 

Bridgeport: 1 day

With one day in Bridgeport we’d suggest grabbing pastries at High Sierra Bakery, going to Bodie State Historic Park for the morning and early afternoon, and then heading back to Bridgeport for a late lunch at The Barn and a soak at Travertine Hot Springs.

What is the best time to road trip Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra?

While the Eastern Sierra can be a year-round destination, different seasons bring a much different experience.

Winter is a popular time for skiing and snowboarding, plus hot spring soaking. But it will be VERY limited when it comes to hiking, as the Sierra Nevada receives a lot of snow every year.

Spring will bring the most mild weather, with cooler daytime temperatures, but being the shoulder season, you will be limited on activities. The best hikes, lakes, and some roads will still be closed due to snow.

Summer and early fall are, in our opinion, the BEST time to visit the Eastern Sierra. June is when the trails and lakes start to thaw and by July, most activities will be snow free. While the summer is a busier time, we didn’t find the crowds to be too bad. But keep in mind that lower elevation spots, like Lone Pine and Bishop can reach over 100ºF degrees in the summer. 

When did we visit the Eastern Sierra? During our visit, we explored part of Highway 395 (Alabama Hills, Bishop, & Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest) in mid-May, when temperatures were cooler. But we explored the rest of the Eastern Sierra, including all higher elevation hikes, in June and very early July. 

Next time, we would love to visit in September, when the temperatures start to cool down some and the trails are still snow-free (minus any early snow storms). 

Tips for your Eastern Sierra road trip on California’s Highway 395

Trail parking can fill up early

Although the crowds in the Eastern Sierra are nothing compared to the nearby National Parks, the trails still can be busy. And parking can fill up fast! We recommend getting an early start for any hikes in the area. During our visit, we always started our hikes right around sunrise and usually had solitude until the hike back.

Make reservations early

Paid campgrounds and lodging can fill up quickly during the peak summer season. Make sure to make reservations early to get the best spot possible! For those who want to backpack, you will need a wilderness permit for most areas, which are limited and can sell out fast.

Summers can be warm in some areas

As we mentioned, some areas, like Lone Pine and Bishop can reach 100ºF+ in the summertime. Thankfully, both are close to higher elevation areas, where you can escape the heat some. But even in higher elevation regions, like Mammoth Lakes, we still experienced 85ºF+ some days. While that doesn’t sound hot, the air feels dry and the exposure on many hikes makes it feel pretty hot.

Check for fire restrictions

Wildfires are very common out west and the Eastern Sierra experiences fires every summer. Make sure to check fire restrictions before having a fire. It is very common for there to be bans on fires outside of designated campgrounds. You are also required to get a free campfire permit in California! 

Make sure to adjust to the altitude

Many hikes in the Eastern Sierra are over 8,000 feet, which is when altitude sickness can kick in. If you’re coming from a low elevation, it’s best to spend a day or two acclimating your body to the elevation. Make sure to stay hydrated, wear sun protection, and if you feel sick, descend to a lower altitude. 

Dog friendliness

Many of the hikes in this area are dog friendly. And a lot of trails seem to allow off-leash. Which for us, with a reactive dog, was very stressful at times (we had some bad encounters). So PLEASE make sure your dog has impeccable recall if they are off-leash. We encountered far too many off-leash dogs that were running around on the trails and did not listen to their owners. Not every human or dog wants a strange dog running up to them!

Also, make sure you not only pick up your dog’s poop, but also take the bag with you. We saw quite a few poop bags left behind on the trails.

Where to stay along Highway 395 in California

There are a plethora of places to stay along California’s Highway 395. 

For those looking for hotels and vacation rentals, the best options for lodging will be in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, as they are the two largest and busiest towns. But Lone Pine, Lee Vining, and Bridgeport have some options too! 

If you want to camp, you will have tons of options! The Eastern Sierra is loaded with both private campgrounds, National Forest campgrounds, and free boondocking.

Below are a ton of suggestions of where to stay across Highway 395, including where we personally stayed.

Lone Pine & Independence

Campgrounds

Tuttle Creek Campground 
Portuguese Joe Campground 
Lone Pine Campground 
Diaz Lake Campground 
Whitney Portal Campground 
Independence Creek 
Grays Meadows 

Free camping (boondocking)

Hotels

Whitney Portal Hostel and Hotel
Quality Inn Lone Pine
Courthouse Motel
Eastern Sierra Motor Lodge 

Vacation Rentals

Comfy Bungalow (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom)
Mt. Whitney View Home (2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom)
East Wind, unique home with majestic views (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms)

Bishop

Campgrounds

Bishop RV Park & Campground 
Brown’s Town Campground
Pleasant Valley 
Bitterbrush Campground 

Free camping (boondocking)

McGee Creek: We camped just up the road from this spot for multiple nights and it was great!
Spot off 168

Hotels

Best Western Bishop Lodge
Holiday Inn Express Bishop
The Hostel California
More hotel options in Bishop

Vacation Rentals

Beautiful, Remodeled Condo (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom)
Downtown House (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom)
Vintage Bishop House (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms)
More vacation rental options in Bishop

Mammoth Lakes

Campgrounds

Sherwin Creek Campground 
Old Shady Rest Campground 
Mammoth Campground 
Lake George Campground
Lake Mary Campground
Coldwater Campground
Convict Lake Campground
Oh Ridge Campground (June Lake)

Free camping (boondocking)

Mammoth Scenic Loop: There are tons of options all along the Mammoth Scenic Loop. They are forested, so they aren’t the best for solar or Starlink. But they are great if you pull in late and just need a spot to sleep.
Dry Creek: We stayed here off and on for almost a week. Despite being in a wooded area, this spot is more open, so you can get solar and use Starlink.
Near Brees Lookout: We stayed right by Brees Lookout for multiple nights and it is an amazing spot, with incredible views and open skies for solar and Starlink.
Pullout near The Rock Tub Hot Springs: We stayed here one night and it was fine. It’s just a pullout next to the dirt road that leads to the hot springs. Not our top pick, but it works!

Hotels

The Village Lodge
The Westin Monache Resort 
Cinnamon Bear Inn
More hotel options in Mammoth Lakes

Vacation Rentals

Cute and Comfy Studio + Loft (1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms) 
Updated 1 bedroom condo (1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms) 
Recently renovated condo (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom)
More vacation rentals in Mammoth Lakes

Lee Vining & Mono Lake

Campgrounds

Tioga Lake Campground 
Ellery Lake Campground 
Lower Lee Vining Campground
Big Bend Campground
Aspen Campground 
Moraine Campground 
Mono Vista RV Park

Free camping (boondocking)

Mono Lake Vista: We stayed here for a night and the views were awesome! There are a handful of pull outs along this dirt road, which can fit a van or truck camper. Plus a larger area at the entrance to the road that could fit a larger rig. You’ll have plenty of open skies for Starlink and solar here!

Hotels

El Mono Motel

Bridgeport

Campgrounds

Paradise Shores RV Camp
Bridgeport Reservoir Marina & Campground
Honeymoon Flat Campground
Buckeye Campground
Twin Lakes Resort RV Park

Free camping (boondocking)

Green Creek Road: We stayed here a few nights. It’s a nice spot along Green Creek with mountain views. The road is a bit rough, but doable for most vehicles!
Open spot near Buckeye Hot Springs
Forest Service Road Camping

Hotels

Virginia Creek Settlement
Willow Springs Resort
The Bodie Hotel
More hotel options in Bridgeport

Save this guide to road tripping California’s Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra!