What a shame...Walker Lake used to be such a full and beautiful lake. I can recall driving by it as…read morea kid on numerous occasions heading to my rodeos and 4H competitions in Reno, Nevada This most recent drive by I was shocked by how much it has shrunk through the years. Since it has been receiving little to no water from Walker River since 2011, the fish and the fishing has become obsolete. Walker Lake is a natural lake in the Great Basin. It is 11 miles in length and only 5 miles wide. At its deepest, it is 68 feet. History tells us many years ago that the Northern Paiutes ancestors inhabited the area around the lake and depended on the fish and birds it provided to live. Through the Walker Basin Restoration Program they were able to deliver water to the lake in 2019 for the first time and they aim to restore Walker Lake to a state where it can house fish and birds again. I hope this comes true. We enjoyed our lunch stop overlooking this beauty.

My week I spent in Hawthorne; I had some down time hanging by Walker Lake. I'm a water baby and…read morebodies of water calm me; my happy place. It was a huge plus that the weather was perfect and probably the last warm one this year. Learning the history and chatting it up with the locals here was good time. I hope Mineral county is able to sustain Walker lake and preserve it for years to come. I look forward to my next hangout passing through the Alt-95 or next time I'm in Hawthorne.

Amazing natural Hot springs. We stopped by here on our way from Tahoe to Mammoth and really enjoyed…read morethe beautiful scenery and the natural Hot springs which were really awesome. One tip if you get to the main springs try not to go to the one on the right which is the bigger pool because it's more stagnant water and so there were a lot of these red looking worms or maggots swimming in there. The smaller pool on the left is much cleaner as there are two mini waterfalls that are keeping the water circulating and fresh. Anything less than five stars is an injustice so a glowing five stars and two thumbs up for Travertine Hot Springs!

Travertine Hot Spring is one of those rare places that stays with you long after you leave…read more I've been lucky enough to experience this spot in multiple seasons and it truly delivers every single time. Whether it's a crisp winter soak with snow on the ground, a calm spring sunrise, warm summer nights, or the quiet stillness of fall, this place always feels right. What makes it special isn't just the hot springs themselves, but the feeling of escape. At night, the sky opens up, endless stars, the Milky Way glowing above you, and if you're patient (or lucky), shooting stars cutting across the darkness. It's peaceful in a way that's hard to find anymore. This is my favorite place to unplug, reset and breathe. No noise, no rush, just nature doing what it does best. Respect the land, pack out what you bring in and soak it all in. If you're looking for a true Eastern Sierra experience raw, beautiful and unforgettable this is it.

The greenish blue lake looks just like a giant gem. It's also as clear as a mirror. The trails down…read morethere are really hard to walk. While walking in the woods you can just hear the wind sound and the birds singing.

Secret Cove is a really beautiful, crystal-clear beach on Lake Tahoe's East Shore, with stunning…read moregranite boulders. Parking: Along Highway 28. It fills up super early, so plan accordingly. Clothing: Optional. If you plan to wear swimwear, I'd recommend putting it on at the parking lot since there isn't much privacy or covered area at the cove for changing. How to get there: A scenic 0.75-mile hike. Water: Warm-ish (for Tahoe standards) and a bright turquoise color. There are porta-potty restrooms available at the parking lot at the start of the trail. When I went, I only saw a couple of older men fully nude; most people were wearing swimwear. The hike is a bit steep at the beginning, so sturdy shoes or water shoes are a good idea. A lot of people bring water sports gear, coolers, and picnic setups. There was even a small hippie-style drum circle near the cove, which added to the laid-back vibe. Please remember to pack out all your trash and help keep this beautiful spot clean.

I can't believe nobody has reviewed this awesome hike yet! The hike begins at Mono Village…read moreCampground which can be found by turning onto Twin Lakes road in Bridgeport and taking said road all the way to end, which is the Campground. You can park in the day use area if you're just doing a day hike but if you plan on doing backcountry camping, you'll need to pay them the $10 bucks to leave your car overnight. That $10 will buy you up to 7 days of parking. Follow the road between the maze of tents and motor homes until you reach the sign that marks the official beginning of the trail to Barney Lake. Take that trail roughly 4 miles up and you'll find it. It's simply gorgeous and an amazing view up there. From here, you can turn around and head back or continue up the trail to Robinson Lakes, Crown Lake, Snow Lake, and eventually, Yosemite National Park. The trail is very easy to follow and is mostly on an even level. There's switchbacks towards the end as you near the lake, but they're not bad incline wise. From car to lake and back to the car, it's just a hair over 9 miles. This is one of my favorite hikes in the area and I do it at least once or twice every season. Just please be respectful and leave no trace. Also, this area is known to be popular with Bears. I've personally never seen one here, but a lot of others have. That being said, you have nothing to be fearful of. If you do come across one, give it plenty of room and respect and you'll be fine and for god's sake DON'T FEED THEM! Or any wildlife for that matter. You have no idea how many moronic tourist I yell at for feeding squirrels and deer. Lol.

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

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

When life comes crashing through my door with the demands of adulthood igniting a gasoline soaked…read moremidlife crisis brought on by the sprinting in place that is the pace of the bay area... I retreat to Bridgeport. As I sit here watching the sun kiss the top of breeze curled waves with the wind at my face and my troubles behind me I think of how simple happiness can be. I truly wish I could be here forever. Bridgeport holds a special place in my heart, showing me stars like i'd never seen before or since, cradling me in a hidden oasis of peace and traquility. My cat is in love with Bridgeport as well. She was even brave enough to go out on one of the rented Kayaks, a mere $15 for 2 hours. Crusing the glass like reflection of the snow topped sierras for the price of a hipster's latte, priceless. 4 days went by in a flash, but the memories will always remain cemented, etched into a safe place in my mind labeled, "Break Glass in case of Emergency." The camp sites are clean, cheap and roomy, the bathroom decent enough, and the views are stunning. It's a place where in the company of the waters symphony against the shore all of life's answers come easy. Not the first time and certainly not the last that I will visit my favorite place, Bridgeport.

I enjoyed everything about this place! Going out on the water was so lovely and the views are top…read moretier. I loved the campsite I was in and it was close to the restrooms where they had showers!! What a luxury. The owner Chase and his grandmother were so sweet and accommodating. It's a pretty affordable spot compared to all the other places in the area. I found out that the bugs weren't even mosquitos either. I had zero bug bites and let me tell you I am a mosquito magnet. Overall I love this place and it will definitely be a staple in our families summer spots. Thank you to the friendly staff for such a great experience!

There aren't many year-round lakes in the Great Basin and this is one of them…read more I happened along Walker Lake on a road trip back from Reno and hit it near sunset-the views were spectacular with the colorful sky reflecting in the lake to create a nearly seamless continuation of color (pictures). I took a different route back from Reno after a stop in Fallon...go off the beaten path and you will find great stuff. The recreation area has swimming, boating, camping, fishing and water skiing.

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.

State park that has been kept up. Fee booths were not manned but easy to use self pay stations…read more Water levels depend on run off and irrigation needs. Bugs also depend on water levels! Mosquitoes were hatching. This time of the year the water was high.... Fallon side had clean beaches, plenty of trash receptacles and clean restrooms. You can camp on the beaches or in the developed areas. Boat ramps are available or you can launch off of the beach. Beware of the sand!! Make sure you bring plenty of water and ice. No close stores.

Garbage all over that the rangers just drive right past. Instead of cleaning the park. Garbage…read morepiles in the restrooms. Extremely heavy police presence. Police driving through campsites, pulling ppl over for frivolous things all day & all night. If you like being harassed & spied on by police driving through your site staring at you then this is your place. They also have speed traps regularly on the road in & out to access the park. Not a nice place t stay. Be warned.

This review is for Crystal Lake Trail which was a ~3.2 miles round trip that took ~2 hour to…read morecomplete. This was one of the more strenuous hikes in Mammoth Lake due to the continuous incline to the top with an overlooking view of Lake George and Lake Mary! Trail can be difficult to follow in some areas. Best view of Crystal Lake would be on the right before you follow the trail to the left. Crowded with limited parking available. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/aHW-s-pHAIw

A must do if in the mammoth lakes area. It is easy to drive to and the hike is slightly intense due…read moreto elevation, but easily traversed with great views. The lake itself as a destination is worth while. I recommend getting to the bottom and starting by 8 or so in the summer as it can get busy at the bottom with all the lakes and people.