Free Campsite Review – Glass Creek NFS Campground, Mammoth Lakes, CA
A very spacious, but popular free semi-dispersed National Forest campground ~9 miles north of Mammoth Lakes, CA on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (central-east CA).
Location: Glass Creek Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Coordinates: Entry to boondocking area around 37.751878, -118.984656. Link to map location HERE
Cost: FREE (donations accepted). 14-day stay limit.
How We Found It: This is a well-known free campground in the area and is listed on the Forest Service site and also on freecampsites.net.
Nearest Dump/Water: There are several on-site pit toilets, but NO trash and NO other services. Nearest dump & water at Mammoth Mountain RV Park in Mammoth Lakes ($10).
- Access – 4.5/5
Very easy access here for any-sized rig. The campground is only ~1/4 mile off Hwy 395 along a firm, easy dirt road (Glass Creek Road). There are no real markings on Hwy 395, but you will see clear signs of the campground (sign & posted regulations) once you drive into the area. Within the camping area there are designated (marked) sites for at least 40-50 rigs including individual and group sites (note/ camping is *not* allowed outside of designed sites). Most of the sites have picnic tables & fire-pits, but no hookups. Some interior roads may be slightly rutted/bumpy, but overall access is super easy for any-sized vehicle. - Nature – 4/5
Beautiful nature in this area. The campground is within thick, tall pine trees and has a creek flowing along the back with miles (and miles and miles) of dirt roads to explore/hike/bike. A short distance away are views of the striking peaks of Mammoth Lakes. Only dings? You are close to 395 so you will hear *some* road noise, plus the roads here are OHV territory, so expect some noise and company on them in season too. - Isolation – 1/5
This is a popular OHV campground and a well-known free site in the area, so you can expect company here. In the off-season (early spring, late fall) the campground is quiet, but during summer and on good weather week-ends, there will be other rigs and you can expect that many of them will be running generators. - Pet Friendliness – 3/5
Mixed review here. On the surface this is an excellent place for pets with lots of pine trees, trails & creek to explore, but the area also has posted warnings of Plague (from rodent fleas). There have been no recent reports (since 2009) of Plague in the area and most folks camping here do have pets (all three of our neighbors were out walking dogs in the area while we were there), but the warning signs are scary nonetheless. Just something to be aware of.
Overall Rating = 3.1
BONUS ALERT = Camp within the pines & super-easy access off 395!
Summary: Glass Creek is a well-known, free Forest Service campground just ~9 miles north of Mammoth Lakes. It is a semi-dispersed campground which means no hookups and no manicured sites, but it does have designated (marked) camping areas with picnic tables and fire-pits as well as on-site pit toilets (-> a kind of half-way mix between a “true” boondocking site & a “proper” campground). Cost is free (donations accepted) and stay limit is 14-days (within the main season there is a campsite on site to monitor this). It’s main advantages are location (great access to Mammoth, June Lake etc.), super easy access (only 1/4 mile off Hwy 395) and ability to take any-sized rig. This makes it a popular spot, all the more so because it’s right next to some of Mammoth’s most well-known OHV trails. During the off-season (for example when we got here in early Nov) it can be a wonderfully quiet and peaceful place to camp, but during the main season (e.g. summer and week-ends) it can get very busy with rigs & OHV vehicles on all the roads. The other ding is that it has posted warning signs of the Plague which is rather scary for pet owners. A little Google research shows there’s been no reported cases since 2009, and talking to locals it seems to be a non-issue, but it’s important for pet owners to be aware nontheless. We enjoyed our short stop and had a blast walking the trails & taking in the scenery, although we did keep our kitties inside. We would absolutely stay here again in the off-season if we needed to stop for a few nights, but for longer stays and more isolated boondocking we’d go somewhere else.
Extra Info: Excellent Verizon signal (3-4 bars of LTE). On-site pit toilet, but NO other facilities (no water, dump or trash). Nearest dump is at Mammoth Lakes ($10)
Great write up. I was going to ask about the location from your previous post. Enjoying your site.
Great site depending on the time of the year, as you have pointed out. I believe this campground is in close proximity to the intersection of Owens River Rd. and 395 on the OTHER side of 395. I believe there is dispersed camping over there as well. We absolutely LOVE this entire area. Lots to do year round. Just avoid the crowds when possible.
Yes, you are absolutely correct. Actually the NFS allows dispersed camping along most of the Eastern side of 395 by Mammoth Lakes (with a few exceptions). The NFS office in town gives out free maps showing exactly where you can camp.
Nina
The easy dump and free is at the Water District, 1315 Meridian Blvd– first left coming into town.Trash/recycle is across the street– the colored glass dumpster is an interesting collection and full often so bring a box.
Cheers! I totally missed this, so real happy folks have chimed in. This is great info.
Nina
We were there a few weeks ago. Great spot.
The water treatment plant asks for a donation for water and dump.
There is water at the rest stop just south of the campsite on 395.
Great info. Had no idea that water & dump existed. Cheers!
Nina
We dont get to boondock much lately, stupid Drs. Appts! So I’m boondocking vicariously through you.
Thanks for posting location sites. It makes it much easier to find them.
Has it gotten below freezing there a few nights? I would think that would further reduce the chance of fleas on the furballs.
It got down to 30 when we were there which is why I wasn’t too worried about fleas. They *should* be less active at lower temps.
Nina
A little blogging birdie just let it leak that you too have moved to “the dark side” and gotten yourselves a VZW UDP via AOL! I guess it pays to be a member of the Mobile Internet Illuminati 🙂
Yup, we just got it veeery recently, so will run with it for a while and see how it goes. Still got our Verizon 40GB plan for another month, then we’ll likely switch over.
Nina
We usually dump at the Mammoth Lakes Water Department for free unless it changed recently. Easy access off Hwy 203 and Meridian Blvd. Love your stories and pictures.
Great into. Cheers for sharing!
Nina
Mammoth Lakes Water Department RV dump is not free anymore. It was $10 as of July 2015. Highland RV park in Bishop was the cheapest I found at $7.
Thanks for the updated info, Chad!
Nina
I guess it pays to read all replies, DAH
Nothing wrong with having multiple confirmations of a good thing. Now, I know for sure there’s a free dump in the area.
Nina
Thank you for this – another that I’m sending off to my camping brother who lives in Sacramento!
Definitely looks like the right time of year to enjoy that spot – I know it gets crazy busy in the late Spring and Summer up there! Thanks for another great review.
That’s what I’ve heard. Everyone tells me it’s crazy busy in season.
Nina
Looks sweet! Plague problem is from the fleas on the rodents so shouldn’t be a problem if pets stay away from these critters.
Yup, that’s what I thought. Of course doesn’t help that there are TONS of chipmunks and other little critters running around camp (more than I’ve seen in a while), but we just made sure Polly didn’t chase and kept the cats inside.
Nina
Wonder if the bears are in hibernation now?
It’s around that time. Mammoth Lakes has Black Bears and they start hibernating around the end of fall.
Nina
This site sounds really great until you get to the Plague part. 🙂
Yeah, I have to admit we were not really thrilled about the Plague warnings. My feelings, after some Google work & talking to the locals is that it’s not as dangerous as it seems. The last report was 2009 and the locals told me there’s been no hoopla around it since then. Likely the NFS has had that same warning up there since then.
However it’s still something to be aware of as a pet owner which is why I put the ding on “pet friendliness” category.
Nina
awesome info! thanks for posting!
There are bears that visit in the evening. If you haven’t done it yet, make sure you hike to the top of obsidian dome…
7/19/21
Reside in California, closing the business we have had for many years and looking for an RV….
I have questions…
Do you shower everyday or will this not be something I will need to get used to?
Do you shop for a month or do you shop by the day?
Im scared and yet excited. My husband and I are 60 and 59. It will take us about 6-8 months to close the business get rid of inventory and employees….