CP Campground Review – Bishop RV Park (Bishop Tri County Fairgrounds), Bishop, CA
A simple, but well-priced and fabulously-located county fairgrounds park in the town of Bishop, CA along Hwy 395 in Eastern CA.
Link to campground here: Bishop RV Park (Bishop Fairgrounds), Bishop, CA
Link to map location here: Bishop RV Park (Bishop Fairgrounds), Bishop, CA
- Site Quality = 2.5/5
Very simple/plain sites here. The main RV area is just one, large cleared out-dirt parking lot with full hookup sites located side-by-side along a long line. Sites are flat and long enough for any-sized rig, but they are fairly close together and they have no separation or privacy with no dedicated “sitting area” (no picnic tables or grills). On plus side all sites are full hookup (50Amp/water/sewer) and most have decent views out the sides of the Sierra Mountains (to the West) and the White Mountains (to the East). Sites towards front of park (#21-28) have no RV’s in front of them and so have a more “open” feel than sites towards the back of the park (#1-20) which are facing other RV’s. It feels tight/crowded when an event is on and the park is full, but otherwise feels relaxed and peaceful. Sites cost $25/night, but 7th night is free if you stay 6.
Note -> The park has a separate pasture area for groups that can accommodate up to 135 rigs where they can run electric & provide water. Price is the same as the main RV park $25/night. RVers can also dry-camp (for a lower cost $15/night) in the open parking lot and pasture next to the main hookup sites. Lastly , there are stables and pens (on-site) for horse events too. - Facilities = 4/5
For a fairgrounds the facilities are really very good. Toilets are spacious and kept nicely clean. Showers are very large and impeccably clean with separate clothing area and good pressure/temp (just give them some time to warm up). Plenty of green area in the surrounding fairgrounds. Only dings? No on-site dump station and the free on-site WiFi (which they do advertise) was not working while we were there. - Location = 5/5
Location is probably the BEST thing about these fairgrounds. You are only 2 blocks from downtown Bishop so you can walk to restaurants, coffee shops and anything else you want to do in town. Also easy access to masses of hiking & sightseeing around the area. It is also right opposite Von’s for groceries and gas. - Pet Friendliness = 5/5
Fabulous area for pooch. Although the sites are close together and there’s not much space to hang in camp there is a HUGE (enormous, massive) doggie field right near the entrance by site #28 and lots of space to walk (if you’d like) around the residential neighborhood just outside the park. The staff are dog lovers themselves and many of the in-town Bishop businesses and coffee shops are dog-friendly too.
Overall Rating =4.1
BONUS ALERT = Camp within walking distance of downtown Bishop!
Summary: What a neat find! We chose this spot mostly because there was a cold-snap coming and our usual camping areas were either closed or too exposed. In the end we loved it so much we stayed over a week! The RV parking area itself is really not much to write home about. It’s basically just a large, dirt parking lot with full hookup sites located in one long row side-by-side. Sites are flat and long, but closer together than I’d like with no privacy or separation at all. So, when the park is full quarters are tight. That said, everything else about the park is fabulous. The park is set slightly back from 395 so it’s fairly quiet, plus sites have decent slice views of the Sierra Mountains to the west and the White Mountains to the east. The facilities (toilets and shower) are impeccably clean and nicely large. The office staff are super friendly and relaxed. There is a HUGE (enormous) doggie area right next to site #28 and several additional fields that you can walk around and explore. Best of all the fairgrounds is only TWO blocks from downtown Bishop meaning it’s easy walking distance to all the “foodie” eating and coffee shop delights that this town has to offer. Plus you are a stones throw drive to the Tablelands and the mountains for exploration of the surrounding area. You are also right opposite Von’s for grocery shopping (although for local produce we really prefer Manor Market). Location couldn’t be better! DO note that this is a working fairgrounds so if you decide to come it’s worth calling ahead to check if there are any scheduled events which could impact your stay. They had a teenage rodeo while we were here which definitely filled-up the park (it got tight) and increased the noise level, but also provided some great, free entertainment (it was fun!). Overall we loved it here, found it surprisingly peaceful when it was not full and enjoyed walking into town everyday for our morning coffee. Given the reasonable price and the great location I would come back in a heartbeat anytime we needed hookups in town.
Extra Info: Full 5 bars of Verizon LTE and 4 bars of ATT 4G. Park advertises on-site free WiFi, but it was not working while we were here (they told us they’re in process of upgrading it) Sites cost $25/night for full hookups (NOTE/ if you stay 6 nights, the 7th night is free). 42 total RV spaces, reservations possible. There is also a separate pasture area for large groups where the park can provide water/electric for $25/night, and a separate dry-camping area in the parking lot or pasture next to the full hookup sites for $15/night.
Extra, Extra Info – OTHER CAMPING? There are several other great camping options around the Bishop area, including free boondocking in the Volcanic Tablelands just north of town and scenic $5/night camping in Horton Creek BLM Campground (open end of May 1 to October 30) ~10 miles north of town. We have used both and enjoyed both.
Thank you, the review is helpful!
Thanks so much, we are heading that way just after Memorial Day so very timely. Safe travels.
Looks like a perfect spot to get out of the cold and enjoy the town. It’s going on our list! Thanks.
It’s perfect for enjoying the town. We really enjoyed our star here.
Nina
Have been by that place many times and had no idea you could overnight there.
Curious, my wife noticed on yourtravels map that you have skipped most of the central and northern coast of Calif; is there any specific reason?
Big Sur, Cambria, San Simeon, just to name a few are so wonderful.
Just curious…
We lived in San Francisco for 10 years and drove/tent-camped the CA coast many, many times. I haven’t really been motivated to take “the beast” that way mostly because we can’t get into the nice, little campgrounds we used to love back in the day. Still, we’ll probably go back and take the route at some point.
Nina
Ehhh, gotcha 😉
Nina..Your reviews are the bestest!!!..Did you notice if the Kittie had and “A”..or “B”..Motorhome?
I hope to head that way in 2 weeks….Maybe….
Thanks for your hard work..
David
Kittie definitely prefers “A”, and is definitely the Queen of it all 🙂
Nina
Thanks so much for this review. We will be there the first week in June and this will fit our needs for sure.
Excellent! This is a great little spot to stop.
Nina
Good tip. We will file for future reference.
You could always do half moon bay. We got glares in our 42′ (which still fit even though it is only a 40′ site) from some people though 😉 Also Coyote point fit us no problem right at the bay.
True…I’m familiar with Half Moon Bay from our time living in the Bay Area. It’s a great campground with nice, large sites (a rarity in CA State Parks). The bigger problem is the long stretch from LA to San Francisco. Back in the day we always drove Hwy 1, which I love, but I’m not sure I’d like to do in “the beast”. Hwy 101 is….OK….but quite busy & we won’t fit in most of the public parks, plus we’ll only stay in places that’ll let dogs on the beach. There’s a few spots we can go (e.g. Pismo Beach, and Avila Bay in SLO), but there’s lots of uncertainty in-between.
As you can see I’ve been thinking about this alot LOL. Maybe one day we’ll actually do it.
Nina
Yeah I understand that. We drove from Sacramento to San Francisco over the Golden Gate (which was fine) and then back to the South Lake Tahoe area via another route I can’t remember in order to meander down 395 to Joshua Tree. We basically skipped that whole LA area and I don’t feel too bad about that. If I ever want to see it, I’ll fly over and get a hotel. We did miss a lot though, all of Oregon, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Santa Maria. All of those places I would like to see and will if we get a smaller rig.
If we ever get a smaller rig Hwy 1 would be top of our list too. Great drive and lots of sweet little forest campgrounds along the way.
Nina
If you’re looking for other rare CA state park sites that fit, there is one single site at June Lake campground that is 65 feet. We did that one too. We really need to get a honda eu2000 to stay at state parks like those though because our powertech 12kw generator is just too offensive.
Are you talking about Oh Ridge in the Eastern Sierras? That’s National Forest and we know it well (and love it!). I’ve reviewed it on the blog. I’m not familiar with any State Park of that name?
Nina
June Lake CG is right across the lake from Oh Ridge campground. It’s very small and very wooded. The big site is the very first one after you pull in. We should have tried Oh Ridge but missed it on the map.
Aha! Gotcha. Good to know. I definitely recommend Oh Ridge if you get a chance. Lovely spot.
Nina
We love Bishop, but haven’t been back in 20 years. We’re planning a 395 trip this summer, and can’t wait to see our “old favorites” with today’s eyes, knowing things have grown and changed.
Did you find Schat’s Bakery? When we were, ehem, younger, we’d always stop at Schat’s and get loaves a fresh-baked bread before we hit the ski slopes at Mammoth or at June Lake.
Definitely. We bought macaroons at Schat’s and they were quite tasty. It’s still right in the center of town. Enjoy your trip!
Nina
It’s funny to me in that I’m using your website for tips on the area….just arrived to check out Tablelands…and surprised that you are still in the area. You have a very informative blog.
I’m happy I can give ya some tips 🙂 enjoy the area!
Nina
The Thai restaurant at the airport is good. Lunch only as I recall. There is very good Indian restaurant in a strip center on the north end of town. Right hand side. It’s a buffet, but it’s really good food. They brought us a stack of Naan that would have cost $10 at some places.
The Thai place does do dinner (sometimes with music too). I have not tried the Indian place yet, although I made a note of it on Yelp. Good to know you liked it.
Nina