Palisade Group Camp
Campground · Mammoth Lakes corridor
Palisade Group Camp sits at 8,891 feet in the Mammoth Lakes corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A high-elevation group campground exposed to afternoon wind funneling off the lake.
Wind accelerates through mid-afternoon as the sun warms the basin. Mornings are calmer, typically 10 mph average with occasional gusts to 33 mph. Plan activities before noon; expect sustained wind and cooling by evening.
Over the last 30 days, the average wind here has held at 10 mph with a NoGo Score averaging 15.0, ranging from 6.0 to 31.0. Temperatures have averaged 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead will show whether high-elevation spring patterns persist or shift as elevation and exposure continue to drive afternoon instability.
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About Palisade Group Camp
Palisade Group Camp is a high-elevation group campground at 8,891 feet on the east side of the Mammoth Lakes corridor. Access is via Highway 395 through Mammoth Lakes; from the south, take Highway 395 north past Mammoth Mountain and follow signs to the Mammoth Lakes basin. From the north via Highway 120, descend into Mono County and route south on 395. The drive from Bishop on 395 is 45 minutes; from Lee Vining, 90 minutes. The camp sits exposed to the Sierra crest winds and afternoon thermal flows off the basin.
Conditions at Palisade Group Camp are shaped by elevation and exposure. The 30-day average wind is 10 mph, but afternoon gusts reach 33 mph regularly as heating forces air upslope. Temperatures average 30 degrees Fahrenheit over the last month and can drop to 13 degrees or climb to 44 degrees across the year. Crowding averages 8 out of 100, making it quieter than Mammoth Lakes townsite but busier than backcountry dispersed sites. Spring and early summer bring the steadiest wind; fall offers calmer mornings but shorter daylight.
Palisade Group Camp suits groups seeking high-elevation Sierra access with minimal walk-in requirement. Experienced campers plan around afternoon wind by scheduling activities in early morning, setting up windbreaks, and securing all loose items. Parking is limited to group capacity; arrive early in the week to avoid weekend congestion. The site is best for hiking and base-camp operations rather than exposed activities. Smoke from fires east of the Sierra can filter in during fire season; check air quality before committing to a weekend.
Nearby alternatives include dispersed camping along the High Country roads southeast of Mammoth Lakes and developed sites closer to town with more services but higher crowding. Palisade Group Camp's isolation and group-only structure make it quieter than the main Mammoth Lakes campgrounds but more exposed to wind. Pair a visit here with day trips to the Mammoth Crest or nearby drainages; the elevation and position suit acclimatization for higher Sierra travel.