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Popular Things to Do Around Bishop

Badwater Basin, lowest point in North America.

The New Gateway to the Sierra – Bishop Airport 

The Sierra Nevada looms large across the Eastern Sierra, offering a world-class playground for outdoorsy folks. Whether it’s hiking, biking, climbing, fishing, or any other activity imagined, this giant backyard of fun has it all. And yet to access this giant backyard of fun, it takes work to get here… until now. With Bishop Airport offering commercial service during winter and summer, you can get here with a short hop from either San Francisco or Denver. Here’s an intro to some of the most popular things to do in and around Bishop. 

Take the -EST Tour 

With more than 90% of Inyo County being public land, Bishop’s backyard is a HUGE place to explore. And that’s why we’ve nicknamed it “The Land of -Est.” It’s an ideal landscape for auto-touring and catching glimpses of Guinness World Records-like wonders, such as Owens Valley being one of the deep-EST in North America, the tall-EST peak in the lower 48, and the Old-EST trees on the planet. Alternatively, if you want to take the road less traveled, consider setting off on the Bishop Big Loop Auto Tour. 

Death Valley National Park 

Continuing with the theme of superlatives, another fun day trip is to Death Valley National Park. Here, you’ll find the largest national park in the continental United States, featuring the lowest point in North America and the hottest temperature ever recorded. Despite “Death” being in its name, this landscape must be seen in person to really appreciate it. It’s both otherworldly and strikingly beautiful. Due to its sheer size, it’s a good idea to check out Bishop’s guide to create a plan before visiting. 

Go for a Sierra Slam 

Fishing in the area isn’t just a hobby. It’s world-renowned, especially for trout. So much so that when the upper alpine lakes and streams open in the last week of April, it’s called “Fishmas.” For many anglers, the ultimate prize is to achieve a Sierra Grand Slam, which means reeling in a brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, and a Lahontan all in the same day. 

Pedal into Bliss – Road Biking Nirvana 

Bishop is legendary for its road biking. No matter what season you visit (even winter), you’ll find buttery smooth pavement so lightly traveled that you may not see another soul—or another car or traffic light—for many miles. From a leisurely family ride with jaw-dropping scenery to a Tour de France-style climb, Bishop has it all. 

A Climber’s Eden 

Mother Nature blessed the region with its unique topography, molded from volcanic activity and carved by glaciers, creating what could be the greatest bouldering destination in the world and a rock climbing mecca. Start at the Happy and Sad Boulders, then send your way through the Buttermilks. If you prefer to rope up, explore the cliffs of the Owens River Gorge. Here are 6½ more reasons why rock climbing in Bishop, well… rocks! 

Act Out a Scene From a Movie 

Despite Bishop being hours away from Los Angeles, its scenery and backdrop have been used in countless films and been called LA’s “backlot.” One area in particular that’s been used quite extensively is Alabama Hills. It has been in so many movies that the road into it is called “Movie Road.” Start off in Lone Pine and visit the Museum of Western Film History which features a treasure trove of memorabilia and information about the films that were shot here. Don’t forget to pick up the Lone Pine Movie Road Tour Brochure! 

Written by:

Alex Silgalis

Alex founded localfreshies.com® in 2014 to be the #1 website providing the “local scoop” on where to eat, drink & play in mountain towns throughout North America. When he’s not writing and executing marketing strategies for small businesses & agencies, he’s in search of the deepest snow in the winter and tackiest dirt in the summer.

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