Inyo National Forest
Community Reviews
Been here? Share the conditions.
Reviews, ratings & photos are added in the free Snoflo iOS app — rate a spot, tag the conditions, and your visit is verified by location. Add or manage your reviews from the app.
Inyo National Forest
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.
Snowpack in Inyo National Forest
Current snow depth at SNOTEL stations inside the park boundary.
Trails in Inyo National Forest
Named trails whose route falls inside the park.
Camping in Inyo National Forest
Campgrounds inside the park, with today's conditions score.
Points of interest in Inyo National Forest
Landmarks and points of interest inside the park boundary.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
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.
Area streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Inyo National Forest -- live water levels for paddling, fishing, and swimming conditions around the park.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sf Kern R Nr Onyx Ca | 13 cfs | → |
| Sf Tule R Nr Cholollo Campground Nr Porterville Ca | 7 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest fishing spots, campgrounds, boat launches, and points of interest so you can build a full day around the park.
Nearby fishing
- Peppermint Creek
- Dry Meadow Creek
- Bone Creek
- Cottonwood Creek Lower Lone Pine
- Hanning Flat Dispersed Area
- South Fork Cottonwood Creek
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.
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.
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.
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