Location: Bishop
Top Things to do in Bishop
The 8 Best Nature & Parks in Bishop, California (CA)
Bishop (formerly Bishop Creek) is a city in Inyo County, California, United States. Though Bishop is the only incorporated city and the largest populated place in Inyo County, the county seat is located in Independence. Bishop is located near the northern end of the Owens Valley, at an elevation of 4,150 feet (1,260 m). The town was named after Bishop Creek, flowing out of the Sierra Nevada; the creek was named after Samuel Addison Bishop, a settler in the Owens Valley. Located near numerous tourist attractions, Bishop is a major resort town; the town is a commercial and residential center, while many vacation destinations in the Sierra Nevada are located nearby.
Restaurants in Bishop
1. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 512 reviews
Reviewed By 7268 - Oakland, United States
109 degrees in Bakersfield. 100 degrees in lone Pine. 74 degrees at the bristlecone Forest. This is a perfect four mile hike. You will see amazing scenery, 3000 year old trees, and fantastic geology. The hike is rated as moderate, but this is probably due to the frequent up and down – changes in elevation. The interpretive signs are some of the best I've ever seen. If you're not up for a 4-mile hike they have a 1-mile alternative. If you're not up for a hike at all, just drive up there and walk a hundred yards or so up the trail and you will see these amazing trees. It really helps to read up on the geology and the history of the trees before you get there. I stopped here on a web driving from Mammoth lakes to Bakersfield. I'm certainly glad I did. Note: September 2020, visitor Center was not open and there is no one at the gate a few miles up the road. There were plenty of other visitors, but you are definitely on your own. No mobile phone service at the trailhead. At high altitudes you might get a brief signal.
2. Little Lakes Valley Trail
3. Bishop Pass Trail
4. Buttermilk Country Loop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
With all the gorgeous scenery - like waterfalls, grasslands, and gorges - you won't notice the difficulty of the track.
Reviewed By mtk07
Stayed here for two nights over Memorial Day weekend. Though the official campgrounds were all full, we didn't have a problem finding space at Buttermilk. It's primitive camping, so you can go pretty much anywhere, but there are a number of spaces cleared out for camping. It's best to go there so as not to disturb more of the landscape. You need to bring all of your food/water, pack out trash and bury your waste. Parts of the area are owned by LADWP and labelled as off limits for camping. I saw some rangers drive through the area at night, so it's possible that this could be enforced. The LADWP lands seem to be kind of like no parking zones; if you drive far enough past the initial restricting sign, you'll arrive to another sign demarcating the end of LADWP land, making it okay to camp again. The views are gorgeous day and night. Starting the morning at the boulders is great and the views of the stars over the mountains are a great way to drift off. Buttermilk Country is at a lower elevation than many of the area hikes, so it stayed fairly pleasant at night and there wasn't snow Though the roads are dirt, our old Honda Odyssey didn't have any problems.
5. North Lake Campground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
North Lake Campground is situated among the trees and adjacent to the north fork of Bishop Creek. If you’re dreaming of camping high in the Sierras, surrounded by countless trees and the cool breeze of a nearby lake, North Lake Campground is where you should be. Fish the nearby North Lake and hike some the few picturesque hiking trails which connect you with the greater John Muir wilderness.
6. Bishop Dog Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
7. Keough's Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By FellowTraveler481013
This is one of my favorite places which was made even better by the addition of their new camp hosts Linda and Russell. The past two times I stayed there this summer I came with my niece and once by myself. I was a little nervous as I usually camp in a tent. The campgrounds are awesome with shaded areas and grass. But after 6 o'clock the place closes up and there was no one around. I came back with another person this time to feel safe but this time I was happily greeted by Linda and Russell upon arrival after dark. They made us feel so welcomed and asked if we needed anything, told us the hours to use the restricted pool schedule and the bathroom code which was really needed at the time. I felt much better about being able to camp alone again. She was an attentive and friendly host, always available to lend a hand or just share some coffee and laughs. I wasn't worried about my camp stuff when I went hiking because she keeps a sharp eye on everything. I appreciated her presence and it made this last camping experience even better.
8. North Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By B3022OQmichaels
North lake is an alpine lake that is a car accessible fishing lake away from the massive crowds. The water only covers a few acres and can't be more than 15 ft. deep at its deepest. Regularly stocked by the DFG this lake doesn't get a lot of fishing pressure because of the steep road to get up there. It is generally quiet and fly fishermen in float tubes do really well. There is plenty of shoreline on the north side of the lake and bait fisherman will find it easy to make a catch. The dirt parking lot is shared with the local pack outfitters and trailhead parking. There are good pit toilets there as well for your use.
