If you are staying in the Bridgeport/Mammoth area, you seriously should book a horseback riding…read moretour with this place. You'll be riding a horse in areas your car won't take you, with views that'll take your breath away. Here is my story. This year is 2020, my milestone year. As you know, the world has been shutdown. However, we can go outdoors and that's just what I did for my birthday weekend. We found lodging in Bridgeport and wanted some fun things to do during our stay. I love horses and asked my husband if we could go horseback riding? It was his first time ever going on a horse, he said okay! Tip*: Finding this place is a slight challenge without directions. Our GPS unit didn't register the address. And we were stupid for not printing out directions before leaving home. We noticed the day before while driving to Lee Vining, that the Virginia Lake Road was on the right side of the highway after passing Bodie. We took the Virginia road down for like 10 minutes, saw the sign for the horseback riding (right side), which is a dirt road. Take the first left on that dirt road, it's the place. My husband wasn't sure and thought it was someone's home and kept driving....don't do that. We figured it out and made it to our tour. The property is big. They have bathrooms you can use. Tables outside if you want to snack after your ride. Lots of horses. Helmets to wear. They supplied us with a sac to hold our camera and water bottle. Our guide was a special guest, her name is Ivonna. I fell in love with her immediately. Her and her beautiful dog guided us along the trails for the 1.5 hour tour. They provided my husband with a sweet horse (Hemmy), since it was his first time riding. I had the handsome Casper, he too was a gentle spirit. We are considering the longer tour next time we are in the area. Tip**: Bring water with you, sunblock, long sleeved lightweight shirt, wear shoes, jeans not shorts. Snacks for after the ride. Almost forgot, bring a small camera to capture this special moment. And last of all, leave your troubles behind and enjoy this time on a horse in the mountains.

WOW! Amazing day :) My 13-year-old son and I went on the four-hour ride this morning to the ridge…read more The weather was beautiful and our guide, Alma, was DARling!! The horses were big gentle giants...This was only the 3rd time either one of us had ridden and we both agree we will be going back....I feel like they can handle everything from complete beginners to experienced riders. Anyways, what a great way to see some of the most beautiful country in the world! They are reasonably priced and genuinely nice folks!! A memory I will treasure :) Thank you Alma and Wyatt!!

Amazing place to camp/stay! Clean, well maintained, awesome amenities! I've stayed here 3 times and…read moreI'll keep coming back.

This place is a hidden gem. Paradise Shores Campground is peaceful, scenic, and exactly what…read morecamping should feel like. Sitting by the water, watching the mountains change colors throughout the day, and enjoying the quiet was pure magic. The campground is clean and welcoming, and it's close enough to Bridgeport without feeling crowded. If you're looking for a relaxing spot to reconnect with nature, this is it. Can't wait to come back

I love that this place exists…read more Nature is so magical. As other reviewers have pointed out - it is a bit of a steep climb down - so I'd recommend bringing some good shoes with traction - in addition to a towel. It's also become quite popular - so be prepared to meet some new people, some of whom may be wearing more than others - as they soak. It's always nice to see people from all over - sharing in nature's healing water. Trust.

Beautiful but oh so very crowded. I think it's still possible to find a peaceful time to dip your…read moretoes in at buckeye but be prepared for large crowds and lots of people vying for a spot in one of the pools.

One of the most beautiful places in the area and that's saying a lot. Amazing trail starting a Big…read moreVirginia Lake and climbing to above 10000 ft and passing several more. It's like something you would see in the movies. As far as trails go they are good and well kept. Starting at Virginia which is seemingly the only one around and before you know it You've passed several lakes, Big Valley, Blue Lake, Green Lake, Trumbull Lake and Moat Lake a far piece up the trail. This particular trail is about 10miles out and back but you can push on or go back at any time. If you only walked 1 mile you would enjoy. Amazing views. Two bald eagles near the 10ft level as well as other wildlife. Even an old miners cabin that is said to be from the 1800s. My first time on this hike but not my last. Highly highly recommended.

HAD I KNOWN THIS WAS THE LAST TIME…read more.. Those who know me, know that I'm not much of a backpacker. The whole idea of sleeping in a bag, on air, in the cold, without a morning shower just doesn't appeal to me. All the years I've been hiking, decades, I only recently started backpacking. Goes back to the words of dad, "how can you say you don't like it if you don't try it?" Of course, he was referring to food, I'm the one that applies it to everything else. Hiking SisTa researched and planned to lead this trip for 10 crew members. Why only 10? Cuz she was able to obtain a permit for 10 people. Yes, a permit is required. Our first night was spent at Trumbull campground, half mile from the Virginia Lakes Trailhead, in the Hoover Wilderness, where she reserved a group campsite, for a reasonable fee. As the sun rose, so did we. With coffee brewin', oatmeal stewin', we prepped our gear for a seven mile trek with a gain/loss elevation of 1,500 ft. Trailhead sits at 9,805ft, with the highest point being Summit Pass at 11,100 ft. With the sun glowing in the bluest of blue skis, the brisk air was a sure sign it was going to be perfect weather for this heavy duty hike. The first lake we came across, but didn't cross, was Blue Lake. This lake separates two mountains & runs longer than it does wide. Just above the lake is an old dilapidated miner's cabin. Miner's sure were short & thin, the entrance was barely big enough for me to fit through, let alone full grown men. The interior is decorated with all things left behind; old furniture, including a table which still has items sitting on it. Did ya pack your fishing pole? At 10,240ft, big boulder create a frame for Cooney Lake. The first fishing hole since the trailhead. About another 100ft of elevation gain from Cooney, is Frog Lake. Rightfully named, we could hear the frog choir, ribbiting songs of the frog. Ok, enough stunning views of amazing lakes, we found ourselves in a green meadow. Smh, This trek is so amazing, can't believe it's real, but it is, & it's spectacular. Till we hit the switchbacks up the summit. Ugh!!! Visions of the 99 switchbacks hiking up to the summit of Mt. Whitney filled my mind. Pinch me, I can't believe my eyes, I'm so on top of the world. At 11,000 ft. the top of the summit Mother Nature is spread out, all virgin like, virtually untouched by man, she is so astonishingly beautiful. Trekking down the switchbacks heading toward a green meadow & super tall pine trees, was entirely the reward we needed after a strenuous ascent up the other side, to keep calm & hike on. Ok, well, we didn't really keep calm. Gasps, ooooh's, aha's, & all things expression, comprehensive sentences were just not. Hiking along a lake, we took a sharp right, just a few feet in, we were "home". We got really lucky, having met & chatted up a ranger on the way in, she told us where the estate sized campsite was, we found it, and it was unoccupied. Woo hoo!!! Perfect!! Not a minute to breath, we set up camp and prepped for dinner. As the sun set, the air turned crisp & shadows danced across the arid mountains creating dramatic performance by nature. Sitting around the campfire, in such peaceful surroundings, set the scene for reflection, appreciation, and memories that will last a lifetime. Bonds between all of us got even greater. This trip, especially, will never be forgotten, for it was the last time I would see & spend time with Beloved Mark, Linda, and Muku. I'm so glad I set my distaste for backpacking aside, otherwise I would have lived a day with regret. Had I known this would be the last time I see Mark, Linda, and Muku, I wouldn't have done anything different. Well, maybe I would have taken a swig of Fireball from Muku's flask, MAYBE. The following day was a slow and cold start. After a splash of frigid lake water on the face, a hot, hearty breakfast, we packed our day packs and headed to Green Lake, West Lake and Bergona Lake. The saying, once you've seen one lake, you've seen them all, does not apply here. Each lake offers distinct perspectives. From its location, to its surroundings, each lake seemed to get more & more stunning. IN A LOOP: While this trek is not a loop, it is a remarkably breathtaking backpacking trip. One I will never forget. The views, the experience, the quality time spent without the hustle and bustle of city life is simply invaluable. DISCLAIMER: Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please, if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepared. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing.

We love love love this KOA. This is probably the cleanest, nicest, prettiest KOA's we have ever…read morestayed at. Love the pup pens behind the rv spots. We feel comfortable putting our two pups in there while we sit out and chill. Thanks Tim and Scott for all you do!

We had a terrible experience with a security guard. There is a STOP SIGN but it states to check in…read moreat the office. It was after hours, so we drove thru the park. You would have thought that were criminals the way he spoke to us. I have never been treated the way this employee treated my family. We frequent this area every summer and have considered staying here. NOT HAPPENING EVER! Keep driving and find accomodations in Bridgeport or Bishop. @Meadowcliff and the KOA organization----You may want to consider some training for your Security employees. And, a reminder to speak with kindness and professionalism would be good, too.

Popped in for an hour trail ride before leaving the lake area for home. Beautiful scenery, horses…read moreand equipment were solid, great service and all around vibes. Our party of seven were all thumbs up. Our guide mentioned that the current owners worked this same business as employees for many years; it seems they really know how to get the job done to me.

Wonderful trail ride today! We only did an hour but I wish it had been much longer. Staff were so…read morefriendly, attentive and engaging. The horses were perfect for our mixed party. This was a special trip for my mom's 70th birthday and she loved getting back into the saddle again! Definitely looking forward to returning for a longer ride. Thank you Aspen Meadow Pack Station!!

If you're looking for a brief relaxing getaway - then Leavitt Meadows Campground is a solid spot…read moreto check out. Like Shannon said in her review - this campground doesn't have showers - but it does have basic restrooms. It also has quiet and the West Walker River - for you to explore, soak in, and potentially even try your hand at fishing in. Do note that a permit is required for overnight use of the West Walker River area and that there are quite a few trails nearby. We have yet to camp here ourselves - but we saw quite a few people soaking up the peaceful nature with their tents and car camping set-ups. We had a lovely time walking along the West Walker River in the early evening and basking in the beauty of the flowing water. Trust.

Currently $17.00 per night. A very small campground, only 17 camping spaces and two restrooms- no…read moreshowers. Located very close to West Walker River, the rushing water sounds will fill your tent on a summer night- very relaxing!

2021 Camping Trip #2…read more I was soooo lucky to get a weekend reservation here! They must have just opened up reservations as there were still sites available when I booked in May. We camped here the last weekend of June, and from the looks of it, the snow must have just all melted as the ground was still soft and damp. This meant we had mosquitoes of course, but it wasn't too bad. They were around in the morning and at dusk. However lots of wildflowers were in bloom, and lots of butterflies. It was also damsel flies mating season, so they were flying around, landing on people and rocks to mate. Lol We also saw a lot of trout jumping! Saw lots of stars at night and the sky is definitely bluer and cleaner up at this elevation! This campground is located at 7300 ft elevation. We did not feel the elevation which is nice. This campground is on the East shore of Lake Alpine which is the less busy side of the lake. Pine Marten is just past the Backpackers Campground and the beach is only a few minutes walk from Pine Marten. There is very limited parking for Day Users (maybe 10 cars?) so it is better than the West Shore. Site 32 was great! It was spacious. You can easily fit 3 tents on flat ground. There is a bear box which has a nice easy latch system, and a picnic table. It's about 2 sites away from pit toilets and water. The fire ring is very low though. Just make sure you don't build too big of a fire. The campground hosts were so nice! They would always wave and say hi when they are making their rounds. The campground was pretty quiet all weekend. Maybe coz it gets so cold at night. Friday night temps got all the way down to the high 30s, but Saturday night lows only got down to the 40s. Lake Alpine Resort is only a little over a mile walk away, so we walked there to rent kayaks in the afternoon. So much fun kayaking the lake! They also have a general store so you can buy ice, sundries, food, souvenirs, fishing stuff and drinks. Bear Valley is less than 4 miles so you can always drive there if Lake Alpine Resort doesn't have what you need. We will definitely camp here again. The Lake is gorgeous, the people friendly, and it feels secluded. Lots of trails, and lakes nearby too. Ebbett's Pass is also nearby. We loved our camping here so much, we are returning in another week, albeit at Silver Valley Campground which is adjacent to Pine Marten. I had reserved a campsite near Nevada City, but I happened to see an availability at Lake Alpine for the same weekend. Someone must have just cancelled their reservation. Can't wait to return! :)