Herring Creek Campground
Campground · Yosemite corridor
Herring Creek Campground sits at 7,369 feet in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A modest, low-traffic basecamp for accessing the high country east of Tioga Pass.
Wind picks up by mid-afternoon as thermals push down from the peaks. Mornings are typically calm and cold; the 30-day average temperature of 34°F reflects spring snowmelt influence from surrounding drainages. Head out early if you want protected conditions.
Over the last 30 days, the average NoGo Score here was 17.0, with wind averaging 9 mph and temperatures holding at 34°F. The week ahead will track the transition from spring turnover to early summer stability. Watch the chart for afternoon wind spikes and any lingering cold snaps as the season shifts.
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Today's score by factor
About Herring Creek Campground
Herring Creek Campground lies at 7,369 feet in the eastern Sierra, roughly 15 miles south of Lee Vining via Highway 395 and the June Lake Loop. The campground serves primarily as a staging point for backcountry access into the Inyo National Forest and adjacent Sierra high country. Trailheads feeding into the Mono Rancheria area and ridge routes are reachable within 30 minutes. The site itself sits in a shallow drainage system common to the eastern slope; water is typically available from late spring through early fall, but you should confirm current status before committing to a trip.
Spring dominance at this elevation means the 30-day average temperature of 34°F reflects persistent snowpack influence and overnight freezes that extend into May and June. Wind averages 9 mph over the 30-day window but often exceeds 15 mph by afternoon, particularly on clear days when radiation-driven thermals accelerate down-canyon from the crest. Crowding averages 12 visitors per rolling assessment period, making this a genuinely quiet alternative to Yosemite Valley and its immediate corridor. By late summer, temperatures rise into the upper 40s and occasionally touch 50°F, but wind remains a constant; the maximum wind recorded in the 365-day window is 24 mph, a typical afternoon gust in mid-July or August.
Herring Creek Campground suits small parties, climbers staging for peak approaches, and backpackers seeking low-traffic entry to the Mono Rancheria or upper Crest regions. Come here to avoid the competitive lottery and developed-campground noise of Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. Expect rudimentary facilities, limited cell service, and weather swings of 20 to 30 degrees between morning and afternoon. An early departure time (sunrise or before) is non-negotiable if you plan to climb or traverse exposed terrain; afternoon wind will pin you down by 2 or 3 PM. Bring extra layers; the 365-day low is 22°F, and frost can occur even in mid-June.
Visitors often pair Herring Creek Campground with Mammoth Mountain area day trips or short climbs up the ridges east of June Lake. If you want more developed facilities and less exposure to afternoon wind, Convict Lake Campground (south, slightly lower elevation) and June Lake Campground (north, similar elevation) offer more shelter and services. However, those sites consistently see higher crowding and smaller windows of calm conditions due to narrower canyon geometry. Herring Creek's open aspect and low-traffic rating make it the logical choice for solo or two-person teams willing to start their day early and work through afternoon wind.