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BLM Long Term Camping Permits Are Available in Northern California

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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) currently offers long term camping permits for five (5) campgrounds in the Eastern Sierra region. Campers looking to dig in for longer periods can get a 30-day camping permit for as many as six times per year. These five campgrounds are all located with the BLM’s Bishop Field Office.

Photo of Goodale Creek Campground sign against snowy mountain peaks.
Goodale Creek Campground, Aberdeen, CA

BLM Long Term Camping Permits Offered Year Round

While winter snow birds typically head for Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) in Southern California and Arizona, there are similar camping accommodations in Northern California too.

California BLM offers long term camping permits through its Bishop Field Office for as much as 30-days for any of the following five campgrounds…

  • Tuttle Creek Campground, (36.5649, -118.1262), Alabama Hills National Scenic Area – Campground is normally priced at $10.00 per day. A 30-day permit is only $120.00 ($4.00 per day)
  • Goodale Creek Campground, (36.9857, -118.2742), Aberdeen, CA – Campground is normally priced at $10.00 per day. A 30-day permit is only $120.00 ($4.00 per day)
  • Horton Creek Campground, (37.3835, -118.5782), Bishop, CA – Campground is normally priced at $10.00 per day. A 30-day permit is only $120.00 ($4.00 per day)
  • Pleasant Valley Pit Campground, (37.4010, -118.5110), Bishop, CA – Campground is normally priced at $5.00 per day. A 30-day permit is only $120.00 ($4.00 per day)
  • Crowley Lake Campground, (37.5728, -118.7677), Crowley Lake, CA – Campground is normally priced at $10.00 per day. A 30-day permit is only $120.00 ($4.00 per day)
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Where to Obtain Long Term Camping Permits?

All long term camping permits must be obtained in person at the Bishop Field Office. Permits are sold primarily on Mondays from 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m…

Bishop Field Office
351 Pacu Lane
Bishop, CA 93514 (click for Google Maps)
(760) 872-5000

Is the Long Term Camping Permit For One Person Only?

BLM long term camping permits cover the entire campsite. The BLM does not define the maximum number of vehicles and people per each site at a developed campground, but typically it’s two vehicles and eight people.

Can You Purchase Multiple Camping Permits?

Technically, you can purchase multiple permits to string together longer periods of camping up to as much as 180 days. They also offer a 90-day permit. However, the Bishop Field Office strongly discourages selling multiple permits, and permits beyond 30 days, except in cases where persons experience difficulty returning to the field office, which may include persons with disabilities, or other hardships.

Otherwise, after a 30-day camping permit has expired, and you wish to extend camping for an additional 30 days at the same campground or any of other eligible campgrounds listed above, you must appear in person at the Bishop Field Office to extend the permit.

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