Old Shady Rest Campground
Sawmill Rd, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546, United States
Overview
Located in the quaint mountain town of Mammoth Lakes, California, Old Shady Rest Campground is one of the best places to camp that’s surrounded by nature yet still relatively close to the amenities of town.
As you turn off highway 395 onto the 203 going west into Mammoth, turn north (right) just after the Welcome Center and follow the signs to Old Shady Rest.
The campground has 47 sites that allow tents, trailers, and RVs up to a generous 55 feet although there are no hookups. There are also no dump stations but there is one just a stone’s throw away at New Shady Rest.
There are no showers but you can get clean in one of the many hot springs around or at Camp High Sierra that have public showers for $5.
Mammoth Lakes has plenty of bears, so be sure to use the bear-proof lockers to secure your food. Old Shady Rest allows pets on a leash and attended to at all times. The campground is open from May to September, weather depending.
Best Campsites at Old Shady Rest Campground
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at Old Shady Rest Campground.
Sites 14,15 and 28
- Full shade cover
- More privacy
Sites 2,5,9,24,26,27,31,33,38 and 51
- Decent shade
- Relatively private
Unique Experiences
Mammoth Lakes is an outdoor adventurer’s dream. From hiking and climbing to biking and paddling, there is something for everyone, even those that choose to lounge by the lake and enjoy its stunning surroundings!
- Start your visit at Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center which is just around the corner from Old Shady Rest. There, you can learn about all the area has to offer.
- Mammoth Lakes earns its name from its numerous lakes around the area. Go fishing, boating, or paddling in one of the many lakes, rivers, and creeks in the area.
- Hike one of the many trails around Mammoth Lakes. Start with the trail up Crystal Lake, an impressive, rugged monolith that takes about an hour to get up. Experienced climbers can tackle the class 3 scramble up the west face.
- Bike the many trails all around the Mammoth Lake Mountain Bike Park or the Mountain View Trail.
- Go on a guided horseback trail ride with Mammoth Lakes Pack Outfit.
- Off-roading on the trails surrounding the campground is one of the best experiences available near the campground. ATVs are also available for those who would like a different experience. You can finish a day of off-roading with a scenic picnic back at the campsite.
- Go for a short drive and explore one of the many hot springs around.
Old Shady Rest Campground Campground Rules
Pet Friendly
YesMax Trailer/RV Length
55 feetMax Length of Stay
14 daysMax People per Site
6 peopleMax Vehicles per Site
2 vehicles, 2nd vehicle at $7.Old Shady Rest Campground Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
NoTo reserve a campsite at Old Shady Rest Campground, you can go to their website at www.recreation.gov and reserve your stay. Alternatively, you can call 1-877-444-6777. You will be charged a $10 reservation fee and the sites all cost $28 per night with an additional $2 per night for holiday weekends. 6 vehicles are allowed per campsite with the first vehicle being free and the second vehicle costing $7 per night.
Ensure you have the following to make a reservation:
- Park selections
- The date you wish to start camping
- Type and size of camping equipment
- Number of people that will occupy the campsite
- Number of nights you wish to camp
- Alternative park and camping date choices
- Your phone number and area code
- Method of payment /credit card number and expiration date
- Mailing address
Group Camping Reservations
There are no group camping facilities at Old Shady Rest Campground. Each site allows 6 people with 2 vehicles, so you can book multiple adjacent sites.
To book, you can either visit their website www.recreation.gov and book a spot there or call the campground at 1-877-444-6777. A reservation fee of $10 is charged. All the campgrounds allow for group camping with a maximum of 6 people per campsite. The campsites each cost $28 and an extra $2 is charged on holiday weekends. A maximum of 6 vehicles is allowed with every vehicle above 1 costing $7 per night.
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
Cancellations are allowed at the Old Shady Rest campground any time up to a calendar day before your stay at a cancellation fee of $10 and any reservation fees. Beyond this point, this is considered a late cancellation, and your first night’s fee is forfeited.
To cancel your stay visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.
Old Shady Rest Campground Campground Cost
Standard Campsite
$28Activities
Backpacking
Bike Trails
Stargazing
Historic Sites
Hiking
Photography
Picnicking
Wildlife Viewing
Nature Trails
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Grills
Campground Host
Storage Lockers
Campfire Rings
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Wood for Sale
Cell Service
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Old Shady Rest Campground
New Shady Rest Campground
New Shady Rest is just across the road from Old Shady Rest. It is significantly larger with 94 sites compared to the 47 sites at Old Shady. Both campgrounds allow 6 people per site and 2 vehicles.
New Shady can accommodate vehicles of only 32 feet while Old Shady can take 55 feet on some of their sites. Both campgrounds open in May and Old Shady closes in September while New Shady might stay open till late October or early November, weather depending.
Both campgrounds are the same cost - $28 a night with a $10 reservation fee, plus an extra $2 on holiday weekends.
Pine Glen Campground
Pine Glen is a group campground right around the corner from Old Shady Rest but they also have 10 sites that are used for overflow camping from both the Shady Rest campgrounds during busy periods.
Pine Glen has 9 spacious group sites that can accommodate groups of 15 or 30 people while Old Shady Rest only can accommodate 6 people per site and has no group sites. Pine Glen charges Groups $66 for a small site and $132 for a larger one, while Old Shady Rest charges $28 for a single site. Both sites have potable water and flush toilets, but no hookups or dump stations.
Sherwin Creek Campground
Sherwin Creek is a larger campground with 85 sites compared to the 47 at Old Shady Rest. While Old Shady is located just off the main road leading into Mammoth Village, Sherwin Creek is located about 2.5 miles east of the heart of Mammoth down a dirt road.
Sherwin Creek allows campers to stay 21 days while the maximum stay at Old Shady is 14 days. In addition, it only has vault toilets while Old Shady Rest has flush toilets.
Both campgrounds have no showers or dump stations, but while Old Shady Rest campers can use the dump station in the nearby New Shady, the nearest dump stations for Sherwin Creek campers are located a 10-minute drive away.
Twin Lakes Campground
Twin Lakes Campground is a 10-minute drive from the amenities of Mammoth Village and is a favorite for anglers that want to camp right out on the water and avid hikers that love being surrounded by numerous trailheads. It is way bigger with 93 sites compared to the 47 at Old Shady Rest.
It sits at a higher elevation of 8,600 feet compared to Old Shady’s 7,800 feet so it might be colder during the nights.
Lake Mary Campground
Like Twin Lakes, Lake Mary is situated at a higher elevation than Old Shady. The maximum vehicle length at Lake Mary is 21 feet compared to the 55 feet that Old Shady can accommodate.
While Old Shady is close to the heart of Mammoth Village and all its amenities, Lake Mary campground is a short drive away from town right smack in the middle of the Lakes Basin a short walk from the shores of Lake Mary, the largest lake in the basin.
Coldwater Campground
Coldwater is located at the southeastern end of Lake Mary, also a short drive from town while Old Shady is located right next to Mammoth Village.
Coldwater is slightly bigger with 74 sites compared to Old Shady’s 47. The maximum vehicle length at Coldwater is 38 feet while that of Old Shady Rest is 55 feet.
