Ask any experienced California van lifer which route they'd drive again before the PCH and the answer is almost always Highway 395. The Eastern Sierra corridor runs through some of the most dramatic landscape in North America — volcanic craters, 14,000-foot peaks, hot springs, ancient trees, and the kind of open sky you don't find on the coastal route. It's longer on free camping options, shorter on crowds, and consistently delivers the moments that make people choose van life in the first place.
This guide covers the full run from the Mojave Desert to the Nevada border: every major stop, the best free BLM camping near each, driving notes for high-clearance and standard vans, and what to do when the passes close in winter.
Route overview: US-395 runs roughly north–south through California's eastern edge. Most van lifers drive it from south to north: starting near Ridgecrest or Mojave (~3 hours from LA), climbing into the Owens Valley past Lone Pine and Bishop, continuing through Mammoth Lakes and Bridgeport, then crossing into Nevada near Topaz Lake. Total California run: ~400 miles. Minimum 3 days to do it justice; 5–7 days is better.
The Route: Key Stops South to North
Alabama Hills (Lone Pine)
The first major stop heading north and one of the most photographed landscapes on the route — ochre boulder formations with the Whitney massif rising directly behind. Free BLM dispersed camping throughout the hills on Movie Flat Road, no reservation needed. The Alabama Hills Scenic Area allows 14-day stays at no cost. Wake up at dawn, walk 10 minutes to an arch, and watch the Sierras turn orange. This is where you understand what 395 is about.
Free camping: Dispersed throughout Movie Flat Road. No fee, no hookups, 14-day limit. Some spots have fire rings.
Bishop — The 395 Hub Town
Bishop is the practical center of the Eastern Sierra and the best place to resupply, dump gray water, fill propane, and grab a real meal. Grocery stores, gear shops, a climbing gym, and the best breakfast burritos in the Owens Valley. Bishop also has excellent climbing at the Buttermilks and the Volcanic Tablelands (also good for dispersed camping).
Free camping: Volcanic Tablelands BLM land north of town — drive 5 miles north on Hwy 6, turn left on Five Bridges Road. Hundreds of square miles of open BLM, free dispersed camping, and the famous Bishop Tuff petroglyphs.
Mammoth Lakes
The largest town on the route and the most visited. Mammoth is expensive and crowded in summer — but the surrounding landscape is extraordinary. Hot Creek Geological Site, Devils Postpile National Monument, June Lake Loop, and the Mammoth Mountain ski area (which doubles as a mountain bike park in summer) all sit within 20 minutes of town. The Mammoth area also has the best hot spring access on the route — including Wild Willy's Hot Spring, a free 100–106°F soak with BLM camping 15 minutes from the pools.
Free camping: Owens River Road south of town has BLM dispersed areas. Sherwin Creek Road also has dispersed options. Both are within 20 minutes of Mammoth village.
Mono Lake & Lee Vining
Mono Lake is a geological and ecological wonder — a 760,000-year-old saline lake ringed by tufa towers (calcium carbonate formations that look like something from another planet). The Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve has free access to the south shore tufas. Lee Vining is a small gateway town where Hwy 120 heads west over Tioga Pass into Yosemite (open May–November).
Free camping: Numerous BLM pullouts along Cemetery Road east of the lake. The Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area also allows dispersed camping in the surrounding lands.
Bridgeport & Bodie
Bridgeport is a small ranching town with a great breakfast diner and access to two of the route's highlights: Travertine Hot Springs (free, 3 miles from town) and Bodie State Historic Park — California's best-preserved ghost town. Bodie is a genuine 1870s gold mining town frozen in time, accessible via a mostly-paved road. The Bridgeport Reservoir has good trout fishing and accessible camping.
Free camping: Travertine Hot Springs camping area (free, right next to the springs — see our Travertine guide). Twin Lakes Road also has dispersed options.
The Free Camping Reality on 395
Highway 395 is exceptional for van lifers specifically because of how much BLM land flanks the route. The Owens Valley is almost entirely Bureau of Land Management territory — you can park and camp almost anywhere off the paved road for free, with 14-day limits. This is not true of most California routes.
The practical rule on 395: if you're on a dirt road that branches off the main highway and you don't see "No Camping" signs, you can almost certainly camp there. Apps like iOverlander and onX Offroad show confirmed spots with van-accessible notes. The Inyo National Forest Service map (free at the Lone Pine or Bishop ranger station) shows the BLM boundaries precisely.
Cell signal reality: AT&T works reasonably well through the Owens Valley towns (Lone Pine, Independence, Big Pine, Bishop). Between towns on open 395, signal is intermittent. Mammoth Lakes has good coverage. Bridgeport has Verizon but weak AT&T. Download offline maps before leaving Bishop — it's your last reliable resupply point heading north.
Seasonal Conditions
April–June: Outstanding. Wildflowers in the Alabama Hills, snow still on the peaks, waterfalls running full. Crowds are building but not yet summer levels. Some high forest roads are still closed — check conditions before planning off-highway camping above 8,000 feet.
July–September: Peak season. Mammoth is expensive and busy; dispersed camping fills on weekends. Temperatures in the Owens Valley can hit 100°F in summer — camp high if you're not running AC. The trade-off: all roads are open, thunderstorms create dramatic light, and wildflower meadows are at their best above 9,000 feet.
October–November: The best month for van lifers who can tolerate cold nights. Crowds gone, golden aspen color (typically peak mid-October), still-warm days, dramatically clear air. Night temps drop below freezing above 7,000 feet — bring a 20°F sleeping bag and a good van insulation setup.
December–March: The hardcore window. Tioga Pass and most forest roads are closed. The Owens Valley itself stays open and can be spectacular in winter light. Night temps drop well below freezing — prepare your van accordingly. Many van lifers skip this window; those who don't tend to have it entirely to themselves.
Driving Notes for Van Lifers
- US-395 itself is fully paved and accessible to any van. No height restrictions, good road surface throughout.
- Dirt side roads are where conditions vary. Movie Flat Road (Alabama Hills) is well-graded for 2WD. Volcanic Tablelands roads are mostly fine for high-clearance vans. Some Mammoth-area forest roads require 4WD — check before committing.
- Fuel: Fill up in Bishop before heading north. Gas in Mammoth and Lee Vining is available but more expensive. There is no reliable fuel between Bridgeport and the Nevada border.
- Wind: The Owens Valley channels strong north-south winds, especially in spring. High-profile vans (high-top Sprinters) will feel it at highway speed. Not dangerous, but tiring on long stretches.
Build Your 395 Itinerary
Map overnight stops, calculate drive times, and find free BLM camping along the full Eastern Sierra route.
Open the Route Planner →FAQ
Is Highway 395 better than the PCH for van life?
Most experienced California van lifers say yes — more free camping, less traffic, more dramatic scenery, and fewer crowds. The PCH wins on coastal beauty and accessibility; 395 wins on solitude, free camping, and the Eastern Sierra landscape. Ideally, drive both on a loop.
Where is the best free camping on Highway 395?
Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, Volcanic Tablelands north of Bishop, and the BLM land around Mono Lake are the three best stretches. The entire Owens Valley is essentially flanked by BLM land — almost any dirt road that doesn't post "No Camping" is fair game with a 14-day limit.
Is 395 open year-round?
US-395 itself is open year-round. Side roads into the national forests close in winter (usually November–May). Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 to Yosemite) closes in winter. Always check Caltrans road conditions before heading to high-elevation side roads.
How far is Highway 395 from Los Angeles?
The Alabama Hills (first major stop heading north) is about 3 hours from LA via US-14 and US-395. Mammoth Lakes is about 5 hours. Bishop is roughly 4 hours. This makes 395 very accessible for a Thursday-night departure from LA.
Planning to hike on your 395 trip? See our Eastern Sierra Hikes from Free Camp guide — the best trails you can walk to straight from BLM dispersed camping.