Hwy 395 ideas?

[Flux]

There is dispersed BLM camping outside of Mammoth past the airport toward Hot Creek or out by the hot tubs. Mammoth has good campgrounds if you want to be around town or up in the lakes basin. Fall colors might be waning there. Not sure. The RV park there is a bit more pricey but has hot showers.


Rock Creek is another favorite of mine.


But heck, there's enough to do between Carson City and Yosemite that you might want to just stay up north. And yeah, Mobil Mart at 120 is great. Have heard the italian Joint up by Bodie is great too.


If you don't have it, get the "Ultimate US Public Campgrounds" app as well as Recreation.gov App. Ultimate shows BLM land campgrounds as well as everything else. Great app

[EmMay]

Head out to Glacier Lodge, park and hike along Pine Creek to Lon Chaney’s cabin. Water, color and waterfalls!
Entering Bishop from the north, hit the red and rock building that sells Jerky, all sorts of wild meats and styles. Plus, great sandwiches.

Smoked beef, elk, wild boar, salmon, and more at Mahogany Smoked Meats

[DesertSMB]

Don't know how far South you are going but an interesting place to visit is Fossil Falls
https://www.desertusa.com/desert-act...sil-falls.html
This has an old lava flow which was eroded by the ancestral Owens River. There is a campground with pit toilets.

[Steve C]

The colors should be awesome this time of year. I used to work for the Forest Service out of Bridgeport and Markleville. I'd strongly suggest you start out by heading west from 395 at Minden on Hwy 88. This will take you to Woodfords where you'd turn south on Hwy 4. Then turn back east on Hwy 89 over Monitor Pass back to Hwy 395 near Topaz Lake. Total loop would probably take 2 hours without stopping. There used to be plenty of dirt roads and areas to boondock along that route. I'm sure your friends in Carson would also recommend this area for the colors. Sounds like whatever route you take it will be stellar.

[billwilson]

I will be leaving the from So Cal
My four-year-old daughter’s first trip to the 395

Any current reports on Alabama Hills after the fire?

[Wirehead]

Thanks again everyone for all the excellent ideas. I'm packing the van now!!

[brp]

Travertine Hot Spring is a really nice one, easy with kids but not developed. Swimming always makes my kids happy and sleepy, perfect on a road trip.

Volcanic Tablelands had nice camping, amazing views, off the beaten path but still accessible. There are easy trails to walk/hike/run.

Have a great time.

[EmMay]

Check your weather; looks like snow falling in high country.

[86Scotty]

Another vote here for the Mobil/Whoa Nellie Deli at 395 and Tioga Pass Rd. We really like it down near Lone Pine. Alabama Hills, Mt. Whitney/Whitney Portal CG, etc. Can't go wrong anywhere in that area though.

[JJSporty]

Drove through Alabama Hills on the way to Mount Whitney Portal Campground last week. No fire damage in that area. Weather was perfect and the campground beautiful.