Park

Inyo National Forest

California, USA Tulare-Buena Vista Lakes watershed 36.039°, -118.134°
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Campgrounds
49
Trails
60
Points of interest
2
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Inyo National Forest -- California park
Inyo National Forest California · Tulare-Buena Vista Lakes watershed
About this park

Inyo National Forest

Inyo National Forest is located in eastern California and covers over 2 million acres of land. It is home to breathtaking scenery, diverse wildlife, and a variety of outdoor recreational activities. The forest is popular for camping, hiking, fishing, and skiing.

Some of the top points of interest in the Inyo National Forest include the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, which is home to the oldest living trees in the world, and the Mono Lake, which is known for its unique geological formations and birdwatching opportunities. Visitors can also explore the John Muir Wilderness, climb Mount Whitney, or take a scenic drive along the Tioga Road.

The Inyo National Forest is also rich in history, with evidence of Native American settlements and mining operations from the gold rush era. There are several historic sites and museums to explore, including the Manzanar National Historic Site, which tells the story of Japanese-American internment during World War II.

The best time to visit the Inyo National Forest depends on the activities you plan to do. Summer is the peak season for camping, hiking, and fishing, while winter offers opportunities for skiing and snowboarding. Fall is a great time to visit for colorful foliage and fewer crowds. Spring can be unpredictable due to weather conditions, but it is a good time for wildflower viewing.

Overall, Inyo National Forest offers a wide range of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
StateCalifornia
WatershedTulare-Buena Vista Lakes
Latitude36.0390°
Longitude-118.1337°
In the park

Snowpack in Inyo National Forest

Current snow depth at SNOTEL stations inside the park boundary.

Snow stationSnowpack
Nohrsc Casa Vieja Meadows 170 in
Cottonwood Lakes ·
In the park

Trails in Inyo National Forest

Named trails whose route falls inside the park.

Albanita Trail
6.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Altha Lake Trail
0.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Anona Lake Trail
1.3 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Ashley Lake Trail
1.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Bakeoven Trail
6.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Baker Summit Trail
6.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Bear Meadow Trail
5.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Beck Lakes Trail
0.9 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Birch Lake Trail
5.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Black Lake Trail
1.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Blackrock Mountain Trail
8.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Cabin Lake Trail
0.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Cecile Lake Trail
0.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Cirque Lake Trail
1.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Cottonwood Lakes Trail
6.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Dutch Meadow Spur
1.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Emily Lake Trail
1.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Garnet Lake To Emerald Lake Trail
1.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Golden Trout Camp Trail
2.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Granite/Broder Cutoff
0.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Granite/Broder Trail
4.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Holcomb Lake Trail
1.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Honey Bee Trail
6.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Horton Lakes Trail
3.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Jackass Peak Trail
4.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Kern Peak Trail
5.3 mi · Hiking, Running
King Creek Trail
1.2 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Lion Point Trail
3.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Little Whitney To Big Whitney Meadow Trail
7.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Logging Flat Trail
1.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Long Canyon Trail
6.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Meysan Lakes Trail
4.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Minaret Creek Trail
4.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Minaret Mine Trail
1.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Mono Pass Pack Station Trail
2.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Muir Lake Trail
0.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Mulkey Pass Trail
5.4 mi · Hiking, Running
North Fork Big Pine Creek Trail
7.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Nydiver Lakes Trail
0.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Olancha Pass Trail
6.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Rainbow Falls Wagon Trail
1.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Rainbow Falls-Reds Cutoff
0.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Ramshaw Meadow Trail
6.5 mi · Hiking, Running
River Springs Trail
6.6 mi · Hiking, Running
River Trail
5.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Rocky Basin Lakes Trail
5.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Shadow Creek Trail
6.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Snake Creek Trail
1.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Sotcher Lake Feeder Trail
0.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Sotcher Lake Loop
1.4 mi · Hiking, Running
South Fork Big Pine Creek Trail
3.7 mi · Hiking, Running
South Fork Cottonwood Creek Trail
2.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Summit Meadow - Holcomb Cutoff
1.9 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Summit Meadow Trail
2.7 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Superior Lake Trail
5.0 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Thousand Island Lake
1.5 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Trail Pass Trail
10.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Tunnel Cutoff
1.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Volcano Meadow Trail
4.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Whitney Portal National Recreation Trail
3.9 mi · Hiking, Running
In the park

Points of interest in Inyo National Forest

Landmarks and points of interest inside the park boundary.

B Big Pine Area
Big Pine Area
S Sierra View Observation Site
Sierra View Observation Site
Detailed forecast

Plan your visit down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.

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Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace

Know before you go
Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
Stay on trail
Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
Respect wildlife
Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
Pack it in, pack it out
Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
Leave what you find
Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save Inyo National Forest as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.

FAQ

About Inyo National Forest

What can I do at Inyo National Forest?

Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).

How fresh is the weather data?

The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.

When is the best time to visit?

Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.

How do I get to Inyo National Forest?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.

Can I get alerts when conditions change?

Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

Land designation

Park & land designation reference

A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.