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Bishop Visitor's Center

Welcome to Bishop, California

Small Town with a Big Backyard

Welcome to Bishop, California

Small Town with a Big Backyard

Welcome to Bishop, California

Small Town with a Big Backyard

Welcome to Bishop, California

Small Town with a Big Backyard

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FREE Bishop Visitor Guide

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SEE OUR BIG BACKYARD

INYO NATIONAL FOREST IS NOW OPEN WITH FIRE RESTRICTIONS

With the termination of the Regional Forest Closure order, we are pleased to announce that the Inyo will re-open with no closures in place. This means the forest will be open on Thursday, September 16.

As a reminder, Stage II fire restrictions are still in place on the Inyo That means no campfires, even in developed recreation sites. Visitors with a valid California Campfire permit may use a portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel. (Read More on Inyo National Forest Regulations

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

If you have hotel reservations, please take the time to check on Covid regulations, highway conditions, smoke forecast, closures, business hours and safety guidelines. Feel free to give us a call if we can help in your planning process.

Yosemite National Park is NOT affected by the closure of California national forests. Yosemite is open; day use reservations required.

Best practices include:

• Heed local information regarding trails and campgrounds, especially fire restrictions and closures.

• Be proactive in your thinking about preventing fire starts. Smoking, parking in grass, flammable material, and other activities could cause fire ignition under dry conditions.

• Covid-19 remains a concern. Maintain at least six feet distance from others.

• Do not gather in groups and please follow the latest guidance from officials.

• Communicate with others as you pass. Alert trail users of your presence and step aside to let others pass.

• Pack out your trash and leave with everything you bring in and use.

• All services may not be available, so please plan accordingly.

 
 
COVID-19 FAQ’s

FIRE RESTRICTIONS

WILDFIRE SMOKE FAQS
Bishop Hotel

Downtown Bishop Lodging

Whether on a relaxing fishing trip, outdoor adventure, or just passing through, Bishop is a wonderful place to stay. Find a room at a downtown Bishop Hotel, Hostel, Inn, Bed & Breakfast or venture up to Bishop Creek for a wonderful cabin experience.

BISHOP HOTELS

BOOK DIRECT & SAVE.  Check Bishop lodging availability with all Bishop Hotels, Motels, Hostels, Vacation Homes and Bishop Creek Cabins.

FIND LODGING

EXPLORE MORE SOON: Travel Tips & Blog Stories

Activities During Inyo National Forest Closure

Activities During Inyo National Forest Closure

The following represents options to give guests when the Inyo National Forest is closed to visitor use.   The list below describes alternative outdoor opportunities which and indoor use when the wind shifts and is too smoky to be outdoors due to wildfire activity.  In...

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Bishop Weekly Fly Fishing Report

Bishop Weekly Fly Fishing Report

Updated 9-17-2021 We are supposed to cool off starting next week to normal September temperatures. Trout on Inyo National Forest lands have had almost two weeks of no fishing pressure. If you’re lucky enough to get up this weekend to fish you will find trout willing to take a well presented fly.

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Pick Your Path

Pick Your Path

With so much to discover in the lower 48, we rarely go back time after time to the same destination. But when an area has as much to discover as Bishop, California, it’s easy to book a return trip. This small town with a regional population of 10,000 is nestled in between the Sierra Nevada and White Mountains on the eastern side of the Golden State. Not to be confused with a road-side pitstop on the way to Yosemite National Park, Bishop is a year-round outdoor mecca that knows how to keep its locals and tourists busy.

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Shop Bishop, California Souvenirs

SHOP ALL BISHOP SOUVENIRS

Transportation

Bishop is located in the very middle of California, where Highways 6 and 395 intersect and also offers public transportation and shuttle options. Whether you’re traveling from Southern or Northern California, or a major city in Nevada, you’ll drive 4 1/2 to 5 hours to reach Bishop. We hope you enjoy your journey!

Elevation

At 4,150 ft (1,260 m) above sea level, the natural environment of Bishop changes quickly from the high desert sage and arid climate of the wide open Owens Valley floor to an alpine wonderland of pine forest, rushing streams and gorgeous deep-blue lakes surrounded by the mighty mountain peaks of the Eastern Sierra.

Population

The “greater Bishop area,” which includes unincorporated nearby neighborhoods such as West Bishop, Meadow Creek-Dixon Lane, Wilkerson Ranch, Rocking K, Mustang Mesa and Round Valley includes an additional 11,000 residents.

Climate

If you need to warm your back, Bishop is a welcomed retreat with much (much) warmer weather than Mammoth. With 5.18″ average yearly precipitation and only 6 inches of snow, Bishop makes the perfect combo vacation – ski, golf, fish and bike year-round.