Old Shady Rest Campground
Inyo National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: MAMMOTH LAKES, CA, CA
Price: From $32 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (212 reviews)
Season: May through October
Old Shady Rest Campground is a large facility convenient to numerous outdoor activities and attractions in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, and within walking distance of the full-service community of Mammoth Lakes. The campground is popular for hiking, mountain biking, sightseeing and hitting the town for shopping and dining. The facility best accommodates tents and small to medium-sized RVs.The campground is organized into one large loop, adjacent to New Shady Rest and Pine Glen Campground
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Bear Boxes, Camp Host, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/old-shady-rest-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Large federal campground with 45 well-maintained sites featuring fire pits, flush toilets, and showers. Located within walking distance of Mammoth Lakes town and convenient to hiking, mountain biking, and numerous outdoor activities in the eastern Sierra Nevada.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear present in area — use provided bear boxes for food storage
Insider tips for Old Shady Rest Campground: Book early — this popular federal campground fills up quickly Water spigots are spread throughout the campground, located near every four sites Suitable for tents and small to medium-sized RVs; self-contained RVs recommended as there are no hookups
Skip Old Shady Rest Campground if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at sites. You require year-round camping — seasonal operations May through October only.
Best time to visit Old Shady Rest Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Nearby campgrounds: Pine Glen (Palo Alto, CA), Sherwin Creek (MAMMOTH LAKES, CA), Twin Lakes Campground (Mammoth Lakes, CA), Lake Mary Campground (Palo Alto, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Old Shady Rest Campground
Cell signal at Old Shady Rest Campground (MAMMOTH LAKES, CA): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage · Verizon 5G: 100%
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Old Shady Rest Campground is a large facility convenient to numerous outdoor activities and attractions in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, and within walking distance of the full-service community of Mammoth Lakes. The campground is popular for hiking, mountain biking, sightseeing and hitting the town for shopping and dining. The facility best accommodates tents and small to medium-sized RVs.The campground is organized into one large loop, adjacent to New Shady Rest and Pine Glen Campgrounds and a short walk to Mammoth Lakes.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this popular federal campground fills up quickly
Water spigots are spread throughout the campground, located near every four sites
Suitable for tents and small to medium-sized RVs; self-contained RVs recommended as there are no hookups
Campground operates seasonally during these months only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Old Shady Rest is near Mammoth Lakes, California, 300 miles north of Los Angeles and 165 miles south of Reno, Nevada. Take U.S. Highway 395 to State Route 203. Proceed west on 203 for 2.8 miles to Old Sawmill Road. Take a right, go 0.5 mile. The campground entrance is on the left.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Inyo National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Inyo National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Old Shady Rest Campground cost per night?+
What season is Old Shady Rest Campground open?+
Does Old Shady Rest Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Old Shady Rest Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Old Shady Rest Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Old Shady Rest Campground?+
What season is Old Shady Rest Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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