Car camping near the Eastern Sierra

The canyons above Bishop and Mammoth stack campgrounds up a single road, each one a thousand feet higher than the last. Lower sites stay warm into October. Upper sites, above 9,000 feet, drop into the 30s even in August — this is the trip where the sleeping bag rating actually matters.

If you're new to elevation, sleep one night lower before moving up. Altitude headaches are the most common reason a first trip out here gets cut short, and they are almost entirely avoidable with a night of acclimation and a lot of water.

Bear boxes are provided at most established sites, and using them is not optional. Everything with a smell goes in: food, trash, toothpaste, sunscreen, the cookware you didn't wash.

Our Couples Package covers this trip cleanly. Add the Solar Charger if you're staying more than two nights — the sun up here is relentless and free.