8 Incredible Adventures Between Death Valley to Yosemite

The small town of Bishop, California sits at the northern end of the Owens Valley, where the high desert meets rushing creeks and pine forests, all framed by the snow-capped Sierra Nevada. Perfectly positioned between two of the country’s most iconic national parks—Death Valley and Yosemite—Bishop offers endless outdoor adventures. It’s no wonder that legendary conservationists like John Muir and Ansel Adams were drawn to the wild beauty of Inyo County.

Whether you use Bishop as a basecamp or visit it as a destination, you’ll find plenty of exciting options to explore. With so many choices to sort through, we created this list of eight of the best adventures in the area to help you plan your next adventure from Death Valley to Yosemite and beyond! But fair warning: once you start dreaming about the wilderness here, you might find it difficult to go anywhere else!

1. The Town of Bishop

Even though the Sierra Mountains are right there, Bishop has surprisingly mild winters and fairly warm summers, making it the perfect year-round destination if you like to be outdoors. But if you’re coming to Bishop with a history buff or the kids (or a kid at heart), make sure you spend some time in town, too.

Laws Railroad Museum

Just a few miles north off U.S. 6, head over to the Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site. You might be surprised to find that it’s not just a regular ol’ train museum—the spot was once a small town built around the Laws Railroad depot. Today, the site celebrates the importance of the railroad to the area, and you can actually ride a Death Valley Railroad car from 1927, ring the bell in Engine #9, and explore the original 1883 train depot.

Learn about the First Residents

Go even further back in time with a visit to the Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center and learn about the Nuumu (Paiute) and Newe (Shoshone), descendants of the Nu-Mu, who were the first people to live in the valley. After taking in the cultural displays and artifacts, take a relaxing walk through the Native Garden and trek along the trail through the Conservation Open Space Area. Check out the gift shop before you leave and pick up a couple souvenirs made by local artisans.

2. John Muir Wilderness

John Muir dedicated his life to protecting the wilderness in the Sierra Nevada. Lucky for us, not much has changed since the days that Mr. Muir himself wandered along the trails through deep canyons and wildflower-filled meadows. The 215-mile John Muir Trail (JMT) is one of the best ways to explore all this wilderness area has to offer, and is a wonderful opportunity to “enjoy every mile, every meal, and every vista” as the locals do. About 100 of these miles wind through the Sierra, with a handful of trailheads within 30 minutes of downtown Bishop. Have your camera ready to capture the views of the 13,000-foot peaks and turquoise-colored alpine lakes as you follow in Muir’s footsteps.

Note: This is the second most-visited wilderness in the United States, so make sure to get your permit for backcountry camping trips.

3. Ansel Adams Wilderness

If you go far enough north on the John Muir Trail, you’ll hit the Ansel Adams Wilderness, smack dab in-between Bishop and Yosemite. But don’t worry, you don’t have to hike your way in from Bishop—most people get to the 349 miles of trails here from the Devils Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes. This area has some of the most scenic sections along the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails, and if you have a couple of days, head to the Alger Lakes area. If you are one of the few hikers to take on this challenging trek, you’ll be rewarded with postcard-worthy High Sierra views of alpine lakes, mountains stretching on as far as the eye can see, and wide-open meadows filled with wildflowers.

Note: You’ll need a wilderness permit if you plan to spend the night out there.

4.Mount Whitney

No trip to the Bishop region of California is complete without at least a glimpse of the tallest summit in the contiguous United States. Standing tall at 14,505 feet above sea level with 10,075 feet of prominence from the valley below, the trailhead for this majestic peak is an hour and 20 minutes south of Bishop, near the town of Lone Pine. It’s about a 20-mile round-trip hike to the top, with more than 6,000 feet of elevation gain along the way. This challenging trip is definitely worth it for the bragging rights of topping out the highest peak in the Lower 48 (and the views of the surrounding landscape are just as impressive as you’d imagine).

The best place to view Mount Whitney without hiking is through the Mobius Arch in the Alabama Hills, just west of Lone Pine. While you’re there, don’t miss a drive along Movie Road—famous for its cinematic scenery and stunning views.

Note: A permit is required to hike Mt. Whitney. To get one, you’ll need to apply through a lottery system, which accepts applications from February 1 through March 15.

5. Buttermilk Country

Known for its world-class bouldering, the rocks found in Buttermilk Country are home to some of the boldest and most technical routes in California. It’s just a short, seven-mile drive from the town of Bishop to get on some of the most aesthetic lines in the world, all in the shadow of the Sierra Mountains. With epic trail running loops, miles of mountain biking trails, and even a four-wheel drive road past Buttermilk Road, this area is a playground for outdoor adventurers.

6. Bishop Creek Canyon

Southwest of Bishop, the 18-mile drive along Highway 168 into Bishop Creek Canyon is one of the best ways to spot fall colors in California. It also offers fantastic fall fishing. Bishop Creek is a great side trip no matter the season, with some of the most beautiful lakes you can drive to. Whether you head to North Lake, South Lake, or Lake Sabrina, the road itself makes for a scenic day trip.

However, to truly experience the canyon’s beauty, we highly recommend getting out and hiking. If you only have a couple of hours, take the hike to Lamarck Lakes from North Lake. It’s about 4.5 miles round-trip to Lower Lamarck Lake or 5.8 miles round-trip to Upper Lamarck Lake. The lakes are surrounded by sheer cliffs and rugged peaks. The trail also features creek crossings and plenty of colorful wildflowers in the early season.

Considering camping in Bishop Creek Canyon? Check out our guide to all the in’s and out’s of camping in the area.

7. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

It may be surprising, but the oldest trees on Earth are just 38 miles from the town of Bishop. These are the ancient bristlecone pines, some over 4,000 years old. You can reach them via a short, easy hike up the slopes of the White Mountains. The road to get there is steep and winding. But once you arrive, the awe-inspiring landscape comes into view, marked by the first of these timeless trees. It’s a must-visit spot, especially at sunset, when the gnarled trunks cast long, twisted shadows that make for truly unforgettable photos.

Note: White Mountain Road is closed in the winter. This area is also remote, with no water, fuel, or cell reception. Be sure to plan accordingly when you do visit in the summer or spring.

8. Treasure Lakes

Just 21 miles from town, the 5.3-mile hike to Treasure Lakes ranks as one of the area’s best lake hikes and offers a perfect way to spend an afternoon. Hikers follow a well-maintained, moderately steep trail that rewards them with stunning views every step of the way. The trail to Treasure Lakes is well-maintained, moderately steep, and rewarding every step of the way. It winds through granite-strewn meadows. The trail then ascends through shady forests and runs alongside sparkling streams. Together, these elements make it an ideal introduction to the wilderness around Bishop. In spring, it’s one of the Sierra’s top backcountry ski routes. During summer wildflower blooms or the vibrant colors of fall, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking and sure to inspire further adventures in the Bishop region.

Originally written by RootsRated for Bishop Visitor Center.