Obsidian Flat
Obsidian Flat Group Campground, located just outside of Mammoth Lakes, California, provides an opportunity for a group to enjoy a secluded getaway in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. With a peaceful forested setting and mountain views, the campground's location is perfect for relaxing and spending time in nature. The area is popular for exploring the surrounding forest and geology, as well as nearby hiking, bicycling, fishing and off-road vehicle riding options.
More like this: reservable in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 50 / 15 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Fees | $20 dollars per night |
One group camping area can accommodate one group of up to 50 people, and up to five RVs (up to 40 feet in length) or 15 vehicles at a time. The site is fairly primitive and is equipped with a picnic table, vault toilet, campfire ring and bear-proof locker for food storage.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | Mid May - September |
| Forest | Inyo National Forest |
| Booking | This site can be reserved on-line at www.recreation.gov or by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) |
| Fees | $20 per night. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Heading North. From U.S. Highway 395 and State Highway 203 (Mammoth Lakes Junction), travel 8.2 miles north on 395. Turn west onto Deadman Road and follow for 3.2 miles to Upper Deadman Campground. Turn toward the Group Campground turnoff onto FS Road 2S05F. Continue one mile to the campground on the right. Heading South. From U.S.
| Nearest town | Lee Vining, California |
| Coordinates | 37.7333° N, 119.0167° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireDome
35 mi from the campground · 6,788 acres · 95% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 5.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Mountain Shop & Mountaineering School ↗ | 30.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miDeadman Water System Trail1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.1 miGlass Creek Meadow1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miC-Crater Flat/Deadman Creek Sm ↗10.3 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.2 miMammoth-2s29 Sm2.6 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2 miG1-G Trail/395 Connector0.3 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2.3 miObsidian Dome Ski3.3 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.1 miGlass Creek Meadow Trailhead ↗Inyo National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Owens River Headwaters Wilderness.
- inOwens River Headwaters Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 14,698 acres
- 2.5 miAnsel Adams Wilderness ↗Wilderness · FS/NPS · 231,619 acres
- 7.6 miSierra National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,418,790 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Devils Postpile National Monument Ranger CabinBuilding · Mammoth Lakes · 8.1 mi
Natural features
The campground is named after an obsidian lava flow nearby. It is situated in a pine forest at an elevation of 7,800 feet. Deadman Creek is adjacent to the facility, and several lakes are down the road.
Recreation
The eastern Sierras are known for their exceptional trout fishing. Campers can try their luck in Deadman Creek. The majestic scenery and challenging trails are an obvious draw for hikers, mountain bikers and off-road vehicle enthusiasts. Deadman Creek Trail leads hikers into the spectacular Ansel Adams Wilderness.
Nearby
Hikers can access the scenic Ansel Adams Wilderness via nearby trails, and Yosemite National Park is a great day trip. Ansel Adams Wilderness Yosemite National Park
Guidebooks for Inyo National Forest and California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Obsidian Flat?
Sites at Obsidian Flat are reservable on Recreation.gov. This site can be reserved on-line at www.recreation.gov or by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Obsidian Flat?
$20 dollars per night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Obsidian Flat?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Obsidian Flat open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Mid May - September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Obsidian Flat have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Obsidian Flat?
Obsidian Flat is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Obsidian Flat?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Obsidian Flat?
The eastern Sierras are known for their exceptional trout fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Obsidian Flat?
Lee Vining, California. Hikers can access the scenic Ansel Adams Wilderness via nearby trails, and Yosemite National Park is a great day trip.
Source: Getting there
What if Obsidian Flat is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Glass Creek Campground (2 mi, first-come), Hartley Springs Campground (2.9 mi, first-come), and Reversed Creek Campground (4.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby