We're traveling from Idaho down to California for some Disney and etc time with the family here in a couple of weeks. I think I'm going to take 95/395 most of the way as it's a bit shorter and it looks like it has some better options for an overnight stay in each direction than the route through Wells down to Vegas. It's about 850 miles each way, and the plan is a very early departure on day 1 so we can knock out the bulk of the drive and then a shorter section on day 2 to allow some time for setup and to relax a bit (hopefully). On the way down I'm thinking about pulling off and spending the night in the Alabama Hills BLM rec area near Lone Pine, and on the way back I'm thinking about the BLM Water Canyon rec area near Winnemucca. Any feedback on either of these? The Alabama Hills area looks pretty nice but the Water Canyon deal may be a little more sketchy, although it doesn't look too bad. There are also some decent RV parks in both of these areas if that would be better, but I prefer free and I also prefer a little more elbow room than you get in an RV Park (I'm already getting cold sweats about the density of trailers in the park we're staying at in Anaheim). Any feedback would be great. We'll have our three kids and fifth wheel in tow, along with plenty of DVDs and snacks. And beer for dad at the end of each day to maintain sanity.

I travel the 395 route between my trips from Phx AZ to Roseburg Oregon and back pulling a 40' 5th wheel because I HATE the I-5 system. Rough road, traffic and ugly scenery......395 has some very nice scenery along the way, and very little traffic to deal with. Many small towns to go thru, and need to slow down to a crawl thru them. But soooo worth it to me.I have found a small lake called Diaz Lake, just south of Lone Pine that is very nice.Has dry camping on far side of the lake, far enough away from the road, that you cant hear what traffic there is.Last year they were converting over to an kiosk to pay for your night, and it is only $14. Very few other campers, and I had no-one around me for the weekend overnight stay this time of year.Here is their website:http://www.inyocountycamping.com/diaz_lake_campground.htmlI'm heading out this week, and plan on using it again.Don't need any hook ups, and it is worth it to me for no crowds.Hope this helps.Gery

The Bishop BLM field office has several campgrounds along 395. In my experience, Goodale is usually the quietest.http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop/camping/index.html$5 a night, half price with senior pass. Vault toilets. Sometimes potable water.

All through the Lone Pine/ Bishop area there are campgrounds alongside creeks and streams coming down from the eastern Sierras. These are listed on the website gery L posted above.Very nice and usually few people. Dry camping but with some amenities and good scenery.

We like to overnight at Tuttle Creek near Alabama Hills. It's dry camping but there is a dump and fresh water. Some sites are pull-tru. Last time we stayed there the cost was $5. Nice panoramic views, too.

Check the weather; it might be 110 degrees near Lone Pine.If it's too hot, camp near Bishop instead. More altitude, more latitude..

California and Nevada Stopovers | Good Sam Community

nevadanick
Explorer
Jul 09, 2016
Water Canyon is ok. If you want hookups, then Frontier rv park in Mucca is a good one and reasonably priced.
azrving
Explorer
Jul 08, 2016
Sign up Freecampsites.netand leave a review if you go there. Please post what rigs will fit, cell coverage, air television, water, etc. We will decide if it's beautiful or not when we visit. :) You will understand what I mean when you read some of the reviews.
Naio
Explorer II
Jul 08, 2016
Check the weather; it might be 110 degrees near Lone Pine.

If it's too hot, camp near Bishop instead. More altitude, more latitude..
Community Alumni
Jul 08, 2016
We like to overnight at Tuttle Creek near Alabama Hills. It's dry camping but there is a dump and fresh water. Some sites are pull-tru. Last time we stayed there the cost was $5. Nice panoramic views, too.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Jul 08, 2016
All through the Lone Pine/ Bishop area there are campgrounds alongside creeks and streams coming down from the eastern Sierras. These are listed on the website gery L posted above.

Very nice and usually few people. Dry camping but with some amenities and good scenery.
Tiger4x4RV
Nomad
Jul 08, 2016
The Bishop BLM field office has several campgrounds along 395. In my experience, Goodale is usually the quietest.

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop/camping/index.html

$5 a night, half price with senior pass. Vault toilets. Sometimes potable water.
gery_L
Explorer
Jul 08, 2016
I travel the 395 route between my trips from Phx AZ to Roseburg Oregon and back pulling a 40' 5th wheel because I HATE the I-5 system. Rough road, traffic and ugly scenery......

395 has some very nice scenery along the way, and very little traffic to deal with. Many small towns to go thru, and need to slow down to a crawl thru them. But soooo worth it to me.

I have found a small lake called Diaz Lake, just south of Lone Pine that is very nice.
Has dry camping on far side of the lake, far enough away from the road, that you cant hear what traffic there is.
Last year they were converting over to an kiosk to pay for your night, and it is only $14. Very few other campers, and I had no-one around me for the weekend overnight stay this time of year.
Here is their website:

http://www.inyocountycamping.com/diaz_lake_campground.html

I'm heading out this week, and plan on using it again.
Don't need any hook ups, and it is worth it to me for no crowds.
Hope this helps.
Gery

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