Inyo National Forest - California

Explore pristine lakes, meadows, winding streams, and rugged Sierra Nevada peaks. Go snowmobiling, hiking and enjoy rugged outdoor adventures at the Inyo National Forest, where the spirit lives.

From a Native American word meaning "dwelling place of the great spirit," the word Inyo was used by local Native Americans to describe the local mountains to early settlers of the area. The Inyo National Forest includes 1.9 million acres of lakes, meadows, streams and arid Great Basin Mountains, as well as landscapes ranging from semiarid deserts to alpine fell-fields.

Visitors to the Inyo National Forest can see the Devils Postpile National Monument and Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48 states, at 14,495 feet. Also in the forest is Mono Lake, one of the oldest lakes in North America, and the Bristlecone Pines, the oldest living trees, 5 million visitors each year come to Inyo National Forest to camp and fish on more than 400 lakes and 1100 miles of streams that provide habitat for Golden Trout, German Brown and Rainbow Trout.

The Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is a haven for mountain bike enthusiasts in the summer and there are 31 trailheads to the 1,308,477 acres of wilderness backcountry for hikers seeking pristine getaways. With all of this as well as 33 interpretive sites of historical and natural history interest and 100 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and play areas, Inyo National Forest has something for everyone to enjoy. The Forest is headquartered in the town of Bishop.