Big Springs Campground
Campground · Mammoth Lakes corridor
Big Springs Campground sits at 7,359 feet in the Mammoth Lakes corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A modest, low-traffic base for exploring the high-country plateau east of the crest.
Wind averages 10 mph but can spike to 25 mph in the afternoon; mornings are calmer. Temperatures run cool, with an average of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Expect sparse crowds, making this a quieter alternative to better-known Mammoth-area camps.
Over the past 30 days, Big Springs has averaged a NoGo Score of 12.0 with wind holding steady at 10 mph and temperatures around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. The 30-day maximum wind reached 25 mph, typical for this elevation in late spring. The week ahead should track similar patterns; plan morning visits to avoid afternoon gusts.
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About Big Springs Campground
Big Springs Campground is a small, low-profile facility at 7,359 feet in the Mammoth Lakes corridor, situated on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. Access is via US Highway 395 from the north (Bishop or Lee Vining) or south (Lone Pine). The campground serves as a staging point for the high-country plateau between the main crest and Mono Basin. It is one of the least-visited official campgrounds in the immediate Mammoth region, making it attractive for parties seeking solitude over amenities or proximity to town services.
Conditions at Big Springs reflect its elevation and open-plateau setting. The 30-day rolling temperature average is 38 degrees Fahrenheit; expect freezing nights well into late spring and early mornings even in summer. Wind averages 10 mph across the rolling 30-day window but frequently reaches 25 mph in the afternoon as thermals develop over the surrounding basins and ridges. Crowding averages 8 out of 100, meaning the camp rarely fills. Snow lingers into late spring; the 365-day temperature minimum is 17 degrees Fahrenheit, common during winter months.
Big Springs is best suited for self-sufficient campers comfortable with minimal infrastructure and willing to time activities around afternoon wind. The site works for car camping, fishing in nearby creeks, and as a basecamp for day hikes to the high ridges. Skip weekday afternoons if you are doing water activities or setting up shade structures; morning starts yield calmer conditions. The sparse crowds mean no parking scramble, but services (fuel, food, cell coverage) are distant. Winter access depends on highway conditions; confirm Highway 395 status before heading out.
Nearby, Mammoth Lakes proper offers far more services and crowds in exchange for shorter drive times to town amenities and popular trailheads. Convict Lake Campground, 25 miles south via Highway 395, trades Big Springs' isolation for more reliable services and slightly lower elevation. The Owens Valley floor lies east; the Sierra crest and wilderness lie west. For parties seeking the quiet, high-elevation plateau experience without the novelty or hassle of Mammoth village, Big Springs delivers.