Old Shady Rest Campground
Old Shady Rest Campground is a large facility convenient to numerous outdoor activities and attractions in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, and within walking distance of the full-service community of Mammoth Lakes. The campground is popular for hiking, mountain biking, sightseeing and hitting the town for shopping and dining. The facility best accommodates tents and small to medium-sized RVs.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 45 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 58 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
45 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 40 | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | Back-in | 35 | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Back-in | 32 | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | Back-in | 40 | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | Back-in | 25 | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Back-in | 44 | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | Back-in | 18 | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Back-in | 26 | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Back-in | 45 | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Back-in | 39 | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 58 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground is organized into one large loop, adjacent to New Shady Rest and Pine Glen Campgrounds and a short walk to Mammoth Lakes. Several amenities are provided, including restrooms with flush toilets, campfire rings and picnic tables, and many more are within a few miles. Showers are not located in the campground but are nearby. Bear-proof lockers are available for food storage, and firewood can be purchased on-site.
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. |
| Forest | Inyo National Forest |
| Booking | www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777) OPERATED BY: RRM-CLM Services, DBA Inyo Recreation |
| Fees | $30.00 per night per site |
| Rules | Active bear area, bear boxes are provided and must be used (typical bear box size 48" x 30" x 36"). |
Weather by month
Getting there
Old Shady Rest is near Mammoth Lakes, California, 300 miles north of Los Angeles and 165 miles south of Reno, Nevada. Take U.S. Highway 395 to State Route 203. Proceed west on 203 for 2.8 miles to Old Sawmill Road. Take a right, go 0.5 mile. The campground entrance is on the left.
| Nearest town | Mammoth Lakes, California |
| Coordinates | 37.6506° N, 118.9614° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Any location or activity requiring a permit or lottery will have unique requirements and policies. Please check individual facility pages for pertinent information for those sites. Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.
Fire nearby
- WildfireDome
36 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 ↗ | 0.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Mountain Shop & Mountaineering School ↗ | 33.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Old Shady Rest Campground Review: WATCH FOR BEARS in Mammoth!
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 mi5-Knolls Ski ↗5.3 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.1 miShady Rest-Knolls Ski0.8 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.1 miShady Rest Ski Loop1 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.1 miShady Rest Spur Ski1.9 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.6 miA-Sawmill Cutoff Sm ↗13.3 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.7 miWatertank Motorcycle Trail0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.8 miMammoth Rock 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
Ansel Adams Wilderness begins about 1.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1.9 miAnsel Adams Wilderness ↗Wilderness · FS/NPS · 231,619 acres
- 3.4 miSierra National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,418,790 acres
- 4.5 miOwens River Headwaters Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 14,698 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 · 6.9 mi
Natural features
The campsites are located under the shady canopy of a mature Jeffery pine forest at an elevation of 7,800 feet.
Recreation
The Mammoth Lakes area has much to keep campers busy. The majestic scenery and challenging trails are an obvious draw for hikers, mountain bikers and off-road vehicle enthusiasts. Skiing is a major winter pastime in this area. The eastern Sierras are known for their exceptional trout fishing, and several creeks and lakes are within a short drive from the campground. Families enjoy learning more at the visitor center down the street, or taking a paved walking and biking trail to two nearby campgrounds, a town park with a playing field and skate park, or Mammoth Lakes.
Nearby
For campers interested in local events, the Mammoth Jazz Jubilee is hosted in Mammoth in mid-July. Several other events and amenities are available in town. Many great day trips for sightseers are available in the area, such as Yosemite National Park, Mono Basin and Devils Postpile National Monument.
Guidebooks for Inyo National Forest and California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Old Shady Rest Campground?
Sites at Old Shady Rest Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 (International 606-515-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777) OPERATED BY: RRM-CLM Services, DBA Inyo Recreation Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Old Shady Rest Campground?
$30.00 per night per site
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Old Shady Rest Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Old Shady Rest Campground?
Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.).
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Old Shady Rest Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Old Shady Rest Campground have?
45 sites, including 45 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Old Shady Rest Campground?
The longest site here provides 58 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Old Shady Rest Campground?
Several amenities are provided, including restrooms with flush toilets, campfire rings and picnic tables, and many more are within a few miles.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Old Shady Rest Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Old Shady Rest Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Old Shady Rest Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Active bear area, bear boxes are provided and must be used (typical bear box size 48" x 30" x 36").
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Old Shady Rest Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Old Shady Rest Campground?
The Mammoth Lakes area has much to keep campers busy. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation