Family-Friendly LodgingPhoto: @autumnpaizley
“I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream.” ~ Song Lyrics, 1927, by Howard Johnson, Billy Moll, and Robert King.
When I was a child, I was endlessly amused by that old saying. I would run around shouting it at the top of my lungs, secretly hoping it might earn me a reward. Of course, it didn’t always work out that way. Looking back, I suppose it was a hint that I was destined to be a writer. The wordplay struck me as clever, and I loved rolling “I scream” and “ice cream” around in my mouth and in my mind, savoring the little twists of sound. It still makes me smile today, though I’ve realized that simply enjoying the sweetness on your tongue is a far more satisfying way to pass the time.
Now I write this story to tell you about Bishop. It’s a great destination for family adventures and in summer the best trips start and end with delicious ice cream.
1. Camping
Brown’s Town Campground
There’s no need to shout about it. Just arrive at Brown’s Town Campground and let the place speak for itself. Tucked just outside Bishop, this welcoming campground feels like a step back in time, paired with the comforts families and road trippers actually want. It is one of the area’s most beautiful spots for both RV and tent camping, and an easy place to settle in, slow down, and start soaking up the Eastern Sierra.
Brown’s Town is more than a place to park for the night. It is a destination all its own. The grounds are spacious and shaded, with more than 150 grassy sites, full hookups, and room for kids to roam and adults to relax. Wander the Old West style open air Main Street museum and get a feel for how life once unfolded in these parts, or stop by the café and country store to pick up essentials, local goods, and supplies for your next adventure.
Lake Sabrina
Now let me tell you about another perfect spot for a family friendly adventure in the Eastern Sierra. Lake Sabrina Boat Landing and Café is tucked high in the Sierra Nevada, deep within Bishop Creek Canyon. The drive alone is part of the experience. From the center of Bishop, it is an easy and scenic 20 minute journey west on CA State Route 168, winding straight into the heart of our big backyard. If you decide to linger awhile, you are in luck. Bishop Creek Canyon offers at least 15 options for camping and lodging, making it an ideal base for an adventurous family looking to spend a few days surrounded by mountain beauty.
Spend the day at Lake Sabrina pronounced by locals as “Suh BRY nah” and ease into mountain life. Enjoy a hearty breakfast or lunch at the café, rent a kayak or stand up paddle board to explore the calm waters, or settle in for a relaxing day of fishing along the shoreline. It is the kind of place where time slows, the air feels fresher, and simple moments turn into lasting memories.
2. Mule Days
This amazing, incredible, wonderful, spectacular, fun-filled festival is held right here in Bishop every Memorial Day weekend. If you haven’t ever been to this “Celebration of the Mule” you really must bring the family and experience this real-life, full-color, high-energy, old-west tradition. Yup, I used a lot of superlatives, but it really is a super-wonderful event.
It began in 1969 as a send-off event for local packers and outfitters to get the summer season going. So, get your summer season going by learning and experiencing a little more of what makes the Eastern Sierra so special. Here is our essential guide to Mule Days and this is the official Mule Days page.
3. Swimming
We have more options for swimming than you can shake a towel at. There’s the local public swimming pool, beautiful ponds and sublime hot springs, the rough and tumble river and numerous creeks and ponds all within just a few miles of beautiful downtown Bishop.
City Pool
At the Bishop City Pool, summer fun comes easy. You can swim, slide, and dive into cool, clear water all season long. This much-loved pool sits at the heart of Bishop City Park, a generous 44-acre green space that truly feels like the town’s gathering place.
Beyond the pool, the park offers just about everything a family could want. You’ll find baseball fields, tennis courts, a skate park and bike park, an off-leash dog park, picnic tables and a shaded picnic pavilion, a peaceful pond with an over-water gazebo, children’s play structures, an outdoor fitness center, and even a bocce court. The pool is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, making it a summer staple for locals and visitors alike.
Best of all, Bishop City Park sits right in the heart of town. Safe, well-maintained sidewalks link the park to nearby shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, many of which offer accessibility for visitors with disabilities. The park itself is designed for all ages and abilities, with wheelchair-accessible features that reflect the Eastern Sierra’s welcoming, inclusive spirit.
Oh, please don’t swim in the park creek and serene park pond – these are reserved for the ducks and other wildlife.
Millpond Recreation Area
One wonderful pond situated just a few miles from Bishop is Millpond Recreation Area. This is a perfect place to bring the whole family for a fun day of wading and swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, picnicking and playing, and lying on the soft green grass under a shady tree. There are gazebos with tables and barbeques, a kids’ playground and it’s an awesome place for a big ol’ family bash. Gazebos may be reserved for special events.
The Lower Owens River
This magnificent river wends its way along the Owens Valley floor, just a few miles east of Bishop, to create a verdant, riparian area that has a few perfect, natural swimming holes and artesian wells. Gliding along the moving water on top of a float tube is also a popular summer pastime. Access to and safety of swimming in these spots or floating along the river varies from year to year and is entirely dependent on winter snow and annual rainfall. Some years the river runs high and fast and other years it’s dry and shallow, but most years it’s a pretty perfect place to play and splash in a setting that is breathtakingly beautiful.
Creeks & Ponds
If you want to spend a day of water play on the Owens River or splash in a nearby pond or creek, pop into the Bishop Visitor Center (or call ahead) and speak to the knowledgeable staff there for to up-to-date info and recommendations.
Hot Springs
This is the hot topic of the Eastern Sierra. The question that gets asked a lot around here is, “Where are the hot springs?”
Keough’s Hot Springs
When you’re looking for a great hot springs experience for the whole family, Keough’s Hot Springs is the place. Built in 1919, this soothing and fun resort still carries the charm of its heyday in the 1920s and 30s, when it was known as a first-class health retreat.
Much of the original wooden structure remains, along with the two historic pools. One is a large swimming pool, perfect for family play. The other is a smaller soaking pool, ideal for relaxing and unwinding. A constant flow of fresh, mineral-rich hot water fills both pools, creating a naturally soothing experience.
The pools are enclosed on all four sides, protecting swimmers from desert winds, yet open to the sky above. Sunbathing is possible almost year-round. Keough’s was created as a place to slow down and reconnect with nature, and nearly 100 years later, it still delivers on that promise.
The Inn at Benton Hot Springs
I would be remiss in not telling you about this gem. It is family-friendly and you get your very own private hot tub with a campsite, bungalow or room at the Inn. Each is unique and you should come often and try them all. Benton Hot Springs is situated 30 miles north of Bishop on US Highway 6, nestled in the rocky hills between the White Mountains to the east and the Sierra Nevada to the west, where the past and present meet in a remote, tranquil setting. Perhaps this romantic resort is perfectly suited to a family of two – if you get my meaning.
4. Fishing
Now, in case you didn’t know this, the Eastern Sierra is a world-class fishing destination. Fishing in the lower Owens River is open all year long and California general trout fishing season runs from the last Saturday in April through November 15th every year. There is an abundance of fishing spots, which are suitable for both beginners and experienced anglers and many are close to town. The local youth can often be found fishing in the neighborhood canals and families will spend many an afternoon or day along the shores of the Owens River or Pleasant Valley Reservoir. Going further afield to the lakes and streams of the high Sierra offers seasonal fly and bait fishing opportunities.
Anglers over the age of 16 require a valid California Sport Fishing license, but two free fishing days a year are open to fishing without a license. These are the first Saturdays in July and September each year. More information and updated dates for each year can be found on the CDFW’s Free Fishing Days webpage. Before you head out for fishing make sure to find out about all rules and regulations, such as catch limits, declared ‘catch-and-release’ places, and waterways that are closed to fishing, etc.
If this sounds like a great adventure for you and your family and you need a little more advice and encouragement to go fishing, then read up about getting your kids ready for fishing on this previous blog.
5. Hiking
The Eastern Sierra is known around the world as a premier hiking destination. Legendary routes include trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail, the John Muir Trail, and the climb to Mount Whitney. These trails draw hikers from far and wide. Some families even take on high Sierra hikes with kids. That kind of adventure takes experience, careful planning, and a love of the backcountry.
The good news is you don’t have to go big to have a great hike. For a few hours or a full day in the mountains, the Eastern Sierra offers plenty of wonderful trails that are perfect for families and furry friends. These are the kinds of walks where little legs can keep up, spirits stay high, and everyone heads home happy.
Spring and Fall are definitely the best seasons for hiking at the mid-to-lower elevations. Summer is a time for going up into the alpine regions of these majestic mountains and winter walks in the foothills and along the valley floor are magical. A few previous blogs have more detail about hikes in winter and some super spring hikes around Bishop. The fall color in the Eastern Sierra is a magnificent sight to behold and many of the great spots for fall color viewing are along easily accessible hiking trails. Fall here doesn’t just appear for a week or two—it lasts for months. This fall color article is packed with tips on the best times and places to catch the season’s stunning changes.
How about that? There’s a hike for almost everyone in every season.
6. Getting off the Grid
Most kids love getting dirty. Boondocking with your children is a wonderful way to let them do just that, safely and surrounded by nature. Near Bishop, opportunities for dispersed camping are plentiful. The wide-open high desert offers endless freedom to play, explore, and roam. Many of these spots sit close to town, making it easy to balance outdoor adventures with a few indoor breaks, like bowling or a movie.
Head higher into the mountains or farther into the backcountry and you’ll find even more options for dispersed and primitive camping. These opportunities change with the seasons. Summer is best spent at higher elevations, while winter camping works well down on the valley floor. Spring and fall shine at lower to mid elevations. Choose your campsite with the season in mind, and take time to understand what conditions you may encounter. Make sure everyone in the family feels comfortable with the adventure ahead.
Primitive camping can include light RV access, car camping, or traditional tent camping. A little bit of “roughing it” is a great way to teach kids about the natural world and build confidence outdoors. For tips and encouragement, take a look at our previous blog on camping successfully with kids.
7. Stargazing
Research shows that nearly one-third of humanity, including about 80 percent of Americans, cannot see the Milky Way. Many people never see more than a handful of stars because of light pollution. If that sounds like you and your family, this is the place to change that. Here in the Eastern Sierra, the night skies glow with spectacular, sparkling detail. The lack of light pollution and our high desert climate create crisp, clear nights that make stargazing unforgettable.
Winter offers the very best conditions for night sky viewing. Cold, clear evenings bring longer nights and drier air, which means greater clarity and deeper views into the cosmos. That said, stargazing is a year-round joy in the Eastern Sierra. Some of our darkest sky locations are easier to reach in warmer months, and summer’s mild nights are perfect for introducing kids to the wonders above.
For a truly eye-opening experience, visit the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO). Locals affectionately call it “Big Ears.” This impressive radio telescope array sits just east of Big Pine, about 15 miles south of Bishop. Operated by the California Institute of Technology, it is one of the largest university-run observatories in the world. Public tours and lectures invite visitors to explore the universe up close and spark a lifelong curiosity about the stars.
A blog post from last year has more detail on our marvelous night skies. Take a look at it here.
8. Eat. Play. Sleep.
I scream, “I love Bishop!” I’m so lucky to live here.
Now I’ve convinced you to vacay here with your kids and furry family members, right? Just in case you need a few more tantalizing temptations let me tell you about food, fun, shopping and lodging in town.
Family-Friendly Lodging
Bishop offers 21 great lodging options. They range from simple motels to quaint bed and breakfasts and modern downtown hotels. From anywhere in town, our beautiful big backyard is easy to reach. These accommodations make the perfect home away from home for your family. Take a look at the list of Bishop lodging here and find the one that’s right for you.
Indoor Fun for Kids
If your holiday is specifically geared towards the kids and at those times when the great outdoors begins to feel a little overwhelming – which it can if they are more used to the concrete jungle – then take some time to do some activities that are more familiar to them. There’s a fun bowling alley and our country-style movie theatre will entertain all flagging spirits. Maybe play a little tennis or go skateboarding in the park. Pack your sporting gear and check out the venues here where you can keep your skills on track. There’s an awesome 18-hole public golf course here. Perhaps now is the time and place to get your youngster into your favorite game.
Delicious Eats Around Town
We have a world of good food in Bishop. We may be a small, quiet country town, but we welcome visitors from all over the world. That global mix shows up in our great selection of restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, and even a local microbrewery. Bishop is proudly family-oriented. Our locally owned stores and shops offer good old-fashioned customer service that makes you feel right at home.
In addition to all these great adventures, there’s also rock hounding, flower spotting, wildlife viewing, rock climbing, horseback riding, and mountain biking to keep a family occupied in the great outdoors. Bring your own gear or sign up for guided tours with one of the many adventure services here in town.
