3.5 Hours from Lincoln, CA
Eastern Sierra in a Camper Van
Why the Eastern Sierra in a Camper Van?
The Eastern Sierra is the best campervan destination in California that most renters haven't fully explored. US-395 runs the length of the Eastern Sierras — a 200-mile stretch of hot springs, volcanic landscapes, ancient lakes, and the highest granite peaks in the lower 48. Unlike Yosemite or Tahoe, most of the best camping here is dispersed, free, and often accessible only with 4WD.
The Mammoth Lakes area alone can fill a week: John Muir Wilderness access, Devils Postpile National Monument, the Mammoth Mountain ski area (winter), and dozens of lakes accessible by trail and road. Beyond Mammoth: Mono Lake's eerie tufa towers, Bodie State Historic Park (the best ghost town in the West), and the Bishop area's world-class bouldering at the Buttermilks.
For 4WD vans, the Eastern Sierra is where the capability pays off most. The BLM land west of US-395 has hundreds of dispersed camping spots accessible via rough dirt roads — the kind of places you'll have to yourself on a Friday night in July.
Getting There from Lincoln, CA
Take US-50 East from Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe, then CA-89 South to CA-395 at Minden, NV. Head south on US-395 — Bridgeport is about 3.5 hours from Lincoln, Mammoth Lakes is about 4.5 hours, Bishop is about 5 hours.
Alternatively in summer, Tioga Road (CA-120) through Yosemite connects the Bay Area and Sacramento with the Eastern Sierra via Tuolumne Meadows and Lee Vining — a spectacular drive but only open July through early November.
US-395 is generally excellent year-round. Conway Summit (8,143 ft) between Bridgeport and Mono Lake can see snow in shoulder seasons — 4WD and/or chains may be required during winter storm events.
Best Campgrounds & Dispersed Sites
Hilton Creek Hot Springs — Crowley Lake Area
Free BLM dispersed camping nearby
Convict Lake Road and the BLM land east of US-395 near Crowley Lake have some of the Eastern Sierra's best dispersed camping. Hilton Creek Hot Springs are accessible via a short walk from dispersed sites — free, clothing optional, at approximately 97°F. High-clearance 4WD recommended for the access road. Best visited October–April (summer requires early morning arrival before it gets crowded).
Mammoth Lakes Basin — Inyo National Forest
Campgrounds (reservation required peak season)
The Mammoth Lakes area has multiple developed campgrounds in the Inyo National Forest: Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, and New Shady Rest. These have hookups and accommodate campervans. Reserve on recreation.gov for summer. Off-season (October–May), some sites are first-come-first-served and often empty.
Benton Hot Springs — BLM land near Benton
Fee camping (private hot spring access)
Benton Hot Springs is a historic mining town with private campsite hot spring tubs. Each campsite has its own private hot spring, bookable in advance. Quirky and worth it. The surrounding BLM land has dispersed camping. About 30 miles east of Mammoth via CA-120.
Buttermilk Road — Bishop Area (BLM Dispersed)
Free dispersed, no reservation
The Buttermilks are one of the world's best bouldering areas. The road into the boulders passes through miles of BLM land with excellent dispersed camping — flat, high-desert sites with huge skies and the White Mountains as a backdrop. 4WD not required to reach the main Buttermilk area but opens up higher ground. Bishop Creek Canyon to the west has developed sites with hookups for those who want them.
Bodie State Historic Park Area — BLM Dispersed
Free dispersed nearby
Bodie is the best-preserved ghost town in California. The final 3 miles to the park gate are unpaved and manageable without 4WD in summer, but the surrounding Bodie Hills on BLM land have dispersed camping accessible by rough road. Camp near the ghost town and enter at opening time before tour buses arrive. Star gazing here is exceptional — minimal light pollution.
Best Time of Year
May – June
Snow clears from the high country. Wildflowers in the meadows. Crowds are light. Tioga Road may still be closed in early May.
July – September
Peak summer. Full access to high-elevation trails and passes. Hot springs are crowded midday. Arrive early.
October
The golden aspens in Conway Summit and Lundy Canyon are world-class. Late October is arguably the best time for the Eastern Sierra. Temperatures drop; trails clear out.
November – April
Hot springs season. US-395 stays mostly open. High passes close. Mammoth gets enormous snowfall (one of the longest ski seasons in the US). Bodie and the sagebrush plateau have a particular austere beauty in snow.
Van-Specific Tips
- ◆ The Eastern Sierra is El Capitan's strongest performance environment — BLM dispersed sites off US-395 often require high clearance and 4WD that the Revel handles confidently.
- ◆ Fuel up in Bishop or Mammoth before heading onto BLM roads. Gas is scarce east of US-395.
- ◆ Cell signal disappears quickly off US-395. The Gaia GPS app with downloaded offline maps is the go-to for finding dispersed sites.
- ◆ Both vans have outdoor showers — essential on hot springs loops where you'll want to rinse after each soak.
- ◆ The Mammoth/Bishop area sits at 6,000–8,000 feet. Even in July, nights get cold. The diesel heater handles it without issue.
- ◆ Leave No Trace is particularly important on BLM dispersed sites. Pack out all trash; leave the site better than you found it.
- ◆ Water sources on BLM land are unreliable. Both vans have freshwater tanks — fill completely before leaving developed campgrounds or towns.
Ready for the Eastern Sierra?
Rent a van for this trip.
The Eastern Sierra is where El Capitan's 4WD earns its keep most. Dispersed BLM sites that most vans can't reach are your base camp. Book through Outdoorsy.
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