Camping in Mammoth/Tahoe?

A group my friends are looking to go camping at the end of june in one of the forests or lakes around southern California or Nevada. we are looking for a place where we can bum it in the wilderness, not a camp site. we are looking to off road, dirt bike, fish, canoe, hike, shoot, have a camp fire and camp in tents or in the back of our trucks. if anyone has any suggestions that would be awesome. thanks

 

A few ideas to help get you started:

1)Free/open/BLM/disperse camping is permitted just below the Virginia Lakes official campground (South of Bridgeport). I camped there last year and found plenty of nice areas for a basecamp. Check the current rules for campfires; last year there was a "no campfire" policy in effect at all open/BLM/disperse campsites near Mammoth. If you want campfires and like to fish, just use the Virginia Lakes campground, it's a nice place with a cool camp host and good trout fishing just a stroll from the campground.

http://windyscotty.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/ten-best-campgrounds-in-the-eastern-sierra/

2) Another cool place to free camp, just outside of the Mammoth Lakes area:

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/laurel-lakes-4x4-trail

East trail if you're 4x4 or have good at tires and lsd. The last time I camped at Laurel Lakes there was a motocross track very close to the start of the dirt road leading up to the lake. Fun track and not crowded. Check for open dates (it was open and free to use when I was here in June a couple of years ago).

http://www.mammothmotocross.com/

3) You can camp under the pine trees near Mammoth Lakes, just off the 395. Lots of dirt trails (they may be pretty dry and dusty in June). Look for dirt roads that intersect the 395 just North of the Mammoth Lakes exit.

http://freecampsites.net/#!mammoth%20lakes%20ca

4) Also lots of free camp areas off of the 89 , West of Markleeville on the 395 exit). I think you'll need to be street legal on all bikes here.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/camping-markleeville-california-59738.html

You'll have to check out the gun/shooting legality. I shoot near Bishop but have not done so North of that. Nevada will be way more gun friendly that Cali.

This may help as well:

$35 Backcountry Adventures: Northern California

http://www.amazon.com/Backcountry-Adventures-California-Peter-Massey/dp/1930193084

Have fun and please share your trip pics with us!

Lee