Inyo National Forest planning for early road, campground openings

Inyo National Forest is planning to open recreation facilities on the Mammoth and Mono Lake Ranger Districts early this year based upon warm, dry conditions throughout the winter months. The forest is coordinating with the Town of Mammoth Lakes, National Park Service, Eastern Sierra Transit Authority, Cal Trans, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Inyo Recreation, and other valued partners to open roads, campgrounds, recreation facilities, and services in the Mammoth Lakes Basin and Reds Meadow Valley for the upcoming fishing season and Memorial Day holiday.

For Fishing Opener – Most lakes below 9000 feet are currently free of ice. Weather dependent, roads in the Mammoth Lakes Basin will be open prior to the 2015 Fishing Opener, with a tentative opening date of Saturday, April 18th. Convict Lake, Sherwin Creek, Mammoth RV Park, Oh Ridge, June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake, Big Springs, and Lower Lee Vining campgrounds will be open by April 24th.

Restrooms in the Mammoth Lakes Basin on water systems are not designed to function during winter conditions, including night-time freezing cycles. The Town of Mammoth Lakes is working with the Forest Service to provide temporary restroom facilities and trash service until normal summer services are established.

For Memorial Day – The road into the Reds Meadow Valley will open prior to Memorial Day, with a targeted opening date of Saturday, May 16th. The Eastern Sierra Transit Authority will operate the mandatory Reds Meadow Shuttle bus system Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of Memorial Day weekend. Normal operations will begin Saturday, June 13th and continue through Labor Day. Twin Lakes and New Shady Campgrounds are scheduled to open on May 8th. Lake Mary, Reds Meadow, High Sierra Camp, Glass Creek, Deadman, Hartley, Aspen, Big Bend, Junction, Tioga, and Ellery campgrounds should be open by May 22nd.

All other national forest campgrounds will open by June 13th and Devil’s Postpile Campground (NPS) will open in mid-June.

All established opening dates are subject to change pending weather conditions.