Bishop Creek

★5.0


daveynin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted

Mountain canyon system featuring glacial lakes, waterfalls, and forested trails ideal for fishing, hiking, and seasonal recreation.

General Information

Hours:
Accessible year-round; most services open mid-April to late November
Fees:
Free access
Fees apply for lodging, boat rentals, and guided activities
Pet Policy:
Pets allowed; welcome at most outdoor areas and trails
Closest cities with hotels:
Bishop (20 mi)
Seasons:
All year
Location:
Bishop Creek, US Route 395, CA
Website:
bishopvisitor.com

How to Get There

From Bishop (20 mi): Take CA-168 west for approximately 20 miles to reach the Bishop Creek Canyon area.

Overview

Bishop Creek is a stunning alpine canyon system west of Bishop, California, known for its glacial lakes, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant seasonal colors. The area is divided into three forks—South, Middle, and North—each offering access to high-altitude lakes like South Lake, Lake Sabrina, and North Lake. Visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking, kayaking, and photography, with trails leading into the John Muir Wilderness. In fall, the canyon becomes one of California’s top destinations for leaf-peeping, with brilliant displays of aspen and cottonwood foliage.

During summer, the area is a cool retreat with family-friendly campgrounds, rustic lodges, and lakeside cafés. In winter, snow transforms the canyon into a playground for sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Spring brings wildflowers and rushing waterfalls. Whether you're seeking solitude, adventure, or scenic beauty, Bishop Creek offers a year-round escape into the heart of the Sierra Nevada.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Bishop Creek, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.

Melissa Wiese, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons ; Image Size Adjusted
Melissa Wiese, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons ; Image Size Adjusted