Pleasant Valley Campground

We arrived after dark and found a nice pull through spot that more than accommodated our 28’ travel trailer and Ram 3500. Space #23 was right next to the Owens river. Very private. There was no one around on a Thursday night. Nice going to sleep by the sound of the Owens river. Once daybreak hit we noticed a lot of the spots were overgrown making them difficult to see and navigate. Needs some TLC but still a great spot for an overnight when traveling 395.

Nice campground with easy access from 395. We use it as a convenient overnight stop. Can be hard getting in after dark and we noticed a lot of spots were over grown with growth this time. Seems like spots need to be cleared for better access. There are several convenient pull throughs right along the Owens River. Spot 23 was easy access with plenty of room for our 28’ travel trailer hooked up to our Ram 3500 long bed. Very dark and very quiet at night. Great falling asleep to the sound of the rushing river.

We’d planned to camp in the Alabama Hills, as we’ve done so many times; however, on our arrival we found BLM had instituted new camping rules with only 50 first come first serve sites available. We drove to Pleasant Valley based on the reviews and were not disappointed. Check-in was confusing as there’s no Verizon service so we could not reserve. We found a list of non-reservable sites on the board and picked one. The campground is on the Owens River, great views, quiet, and peaceful.

We were literally the only ones here on the south side of Owens River, site was spacious and flat. Bathrooms further up river MARKEDLY cleaner than ones closer to entrance. They were totally gross. We got here a little late, and we’re only looking for a quick overnight rest stop, but realized in the morning there were more sites across the river. These would be more appealing because of being further off the road. There were a few people there as opposed to none on our side, however - and they had big rigs and generators, so I like our side. All we could hear all night aside from a car going by on road every once in a while was the river. Quite lovely. Good fishing too.

We came to look for some changing aspen leaves above Bishop and around Mammoth Lakes. We arrived in the evening and couldn't even see the nearby mountains due to smoke from the Rim Fire near Yosemite. Mammoth Lakes later was identified as the WORST air in the COUNTRY! We returned to Santa Barbara the next day, with our Airstream full of smoke smell.
I've stayed in this campground several times for fishing trips. Until recently, it was almost a boondocking experience as there were no formal sites and only a scattering of picnic tables. Park where you want.
Now there are site posts with numbers and more picnic tables. But there are very few formal parking driveways. Most sites just have short grass and you can park however it works for you near the site post and the table. The sites are pretty level and range from extremely open to partially screened, and many are right along the Owens River. But the river can be hidden by tall cane grass at the top of a steep bank. Be careful with kids and dogs, not only along the river, but the soil has a lot of soda in it that will make your dog foam at the mouth if you throw a ball for him and it gets dirty.
After the nearby kids stopped running their dusty ATV past us, it got very quiet for the rest of the night.
The Owens River that runs through the campground and the Pleasant Valley Reservoir above it offer up some trophy trout, and the season runs into November. Many of the campers early in the year and in the late fall are fishermen who get out early in the morning and return at dusk.

Simple, well-kept county-owned campground along the Owens River. Most sites are reservable on ReserveAmerica.com but there are "walk-in" sites too that we took advantage of week after Christmas. Easy self-service machine for paying. Practically had the place to ourselves. Two loops provide various size sites, with most right along the river. Sites aren't completely level but we managed with our 30' TT. Convenient location to town and just down the road from a reservoir with fishing.

Water is available via pump house (cannot hook up hose to trailer)
Pit toilets available

We've been coming here for years. For the longest time, it was free, then $10, and now $14. However, they have put the money back into the campground. They have upgraded the fire pits and picnic tables, and added a couple of extra toilets.

Essentially, though, it's boondocking. Be aware that the mosquitos can be brutal in season, and the raccoons are the size of Great Danes..... But, if you are a dedicated fly tosser, you'll have access to 7 miles of blue ribbon trout waters.

The sites are generally level and clean. If you are bringing your dogs, understand that the soil is acidic and will cause cracking on their paws after only a couple of days.

Overall, it's an 'off the beaten path' option to the crowds that can encompass Mammoth. We'll be back because the trout are calling!