7 Overlooked Towns In California's Sierra Nevada Worth Visiting

Above, camping in Brown's Town Campground in Bishop in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's one thing that Californians should add to their "bucket list" of things to do, that is to explore the Sierra Nevada area of the state.

A lot of history can still be gleaned from exploring towns that thrived during the Gold Rush years. World Atlas has posted a list of seven of them. 

I have been to most of them, mainly through chapter events of E Clampus Vitus (of which I am a member) that sprung up during the Gold Rush in many of these towns.  

World Atlas begins their list with:

The Sierra Nevada stretches more than 400 miles and is home to dozens of small towns, three national parks, and numerous wilderness areas. Some of the towns are better known and more travelled than others, but those that are overlooked shine in their own right. You will find history, nature, culture, and recreation in each of them. If you truly want to experience the soul of California's Sierra Nevada, these seven towns deserve a spot on your travel list.

To read more, go here. 

Things To Consider When Booking A Campsite

Above, at Brown's Town Campgrounds in Bishop, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Either I have been lucky over the years or I have practiced choosing a campsite with the tips by Chuck Woodbury in RV Travel as second nature already. I have not had any problems thus far.

The topic of Woodbury's article is on how to choose the best campsite with things to consider while doing so.

It begins with:

Here are some tips about choosing a campsite based on my many years of RVing. I urge you to add your own suggestions to this list after reading it. You can thank me for this advice next time we meet.

To see what the tips are, go here. 

8 Campground Courtesy Rules

Above, The Beast at Brown's Town Campground in Bishop, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Generally, I have not had any bad experiences while camping, either in a tent or a RV, with other campers. 

About the only annoying thing I can think of was when kids from other camps will use my campsite for their walkway. That's about it.

Here's an article by The Know (from the Denver Post) on 8 rules to follow so that you don't become "that annoying camper".

They begin it with:

For years, my idea of camping meant heading into the middle of nowhere and pitching my tent as far from the rest of humanity as possible. 

That changed when maturity knocked. My wife and I bought a small travel trailer, which we now generally park in established campgrounds. 

While most of our experiences have been pleasant, all too often we find ourselves sharing territory with individuals who apparently believe the need for civility doesn’t apply to them. Here are a few suggestions on how to be courteous campers.

To read more, go here. 

Frugal RV Guide

Above, barbecuing a steak at Brown's Town Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my three-week trip to Metropolis, Illinois (and points in-between) last year, I rarely went to dine in restaurants. I cooked most of my meals in the RV. My RV freezer was fully stocked when I left home. For cheaper grocery shopping while on the road, I shopped at Walmarts.

That is one way to save money while on a RV trip. There are 19 more tips on how to travel frugally in a RV from Do It Yourself RV.

They begin with:

There’s no denying that taking an RV trip can be far more economical than other methods of travel. If you add up the cost of airfare, rental cars, eating out for every meal, parking, attractions, souvenirs and more…the cost of campground fees and fuel for the RV pales in comparison. 

But that doesn’t mean we can’t still strive to save some dough when RVing. Check out these 20 money saving tips for frugal RVing – because everyone loves a deal.

 To see their money saving tips, go here.

Brown's Town Campground In Bishop, California

Above, the office and store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last summer, I took a little trip up California's Owens Valley.

Along the way, I stopped at the infamous Manzanar Relocation Camp. For the first night's stay, I stayed at Brown's Town Campground in Bishop. I did not make any camping reservations as I decided to just "wing it".

I stopped at a coffee shop for a snack. While there, I checked Google for a campground in the Bishop area. I saw several listed.

I looked one over and the people there didn't look too friendly and the campground was rather primitive. So I pressed on.

Above, The Beast at Brown's Town Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I went to the next campground, which was Brown's Town Campground. It looked like a nice place. It was shady and situated next to a golf course. I walked into the office and found that they had vacancies and the price was reasonable ($30/night).

Above, cooking dinner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The access road was nice and wide and the campsite I was assigned was level, so I didn't have to use the leveling blocks. It had full hook-ups, a table and fire ring.

The campground has a nicely-stocked store. Their prices were reasonable when I made a few purchases.

Above, Sierra enjoying the air conditioning and view. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Unfortunately, since Bishop gets quite hot during the summer months, the campground does not have a swimming pool to cool off in.

At RV Park Reviews, I gave Brown's Town Campground four out of five stars. I would stay there again should I visit the Owens Valley on another trip.

My grade: A- (had there been a pool, it would have been an A).

Digital RV Trip Planning

Above, The Beast at Brown's Town Campground in Bishop, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Technology is gradually replacing the "old fashioned" method of RV trip planning through the use of maps, paper travel and campground guides. Now, there are a number of RV planning websites and apps that will make planning one's next RV trip far easier.

Do It Yourself RV has an article on some handy resources to plan that next RV trip.

They begin with:

Planning an RV trip has become easier than ever thanks to technology. Instead of just traditional maps and Mapquest we now have an extensive selection of websites and apps at our disposal. With just a phone you can find RV park reviews, cheap gas near you, family attractions and pretty much everything in-between. 

The best part? A lot of great resources are free or affordable to use. All you need is a computer, tablet or mobile device connected to the Internet. These are just a few of our favorite digital tools that make trip planning more simple than ever.

Some of the ones listed I've already begun using. They came in handy during my recent cross-country trip to Metropolis, Illinois.

To read the article, go here. 

California Private RV Camping

Above, The Beast at Brown's Town Campground in Bishop, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It would have been nice to have known about this book before I left for the Eastern Sierra and Owens Valley a few weeks ago.

But, I do plan to eventually return to the area and I'll get the book first.

RV Life posted an article on the scarce number of campgrounds in California.

It begins with:

If you live n the Golden State you know that it’s getting harder to find private RV camping in California. Thankfully the authors of “Eastern Sierra and Death Valley Camping with Privacy” know how to help you find the solitude you’re seeking.

To read more, go here.

RV Park Reviews Posted

My reviews of Brown's Town Campground in Bishop, California and Mammoth Mountain RV Park in Mammoth Lakes, California have been posted at RV Park Reviews. I stayed at both campgrounds during my trip this week to the Owens Valley.

Above, Brown's Town Campground office and store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For Brown's Town Campground, go here.

Above, Mammoth Mountain RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For Mammoth Mountain RV Park, go here.

Relax Day

Above, The Beast at Brown's Town Campground in Bishop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today is a relaxing day at the Mammoth Mountain RV Park in Mammoth Lakes, California. I'll be heading back home tomorrow.

This has been a fun excursion into the Owens Valley area to stop at places that I haven't been to before such as Mammoth Lakes, Devil's Postpile National Monument and Manzanar Relocation Camp.

Above, The Beast at Manzanar Relocation Camp. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Beast has performed well on this trip. Sierra is getting more used to traveling. Soon, it will be "old hat" with her.

Above, The Beast at Mammoth Lakes Village. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On this trip, I stayed at two different campgrounds. The aforementioned Mammoth Mountain RV Park in Mammoth Lakes and Brown's Town Campground in Bishop. Of the two, I liked my site at Brown's Town Campground much better, but as far as facilities go, Mammoth Mountain RV Park has a lot more. Brown's Town Campground cries out for a swimming pool, especially since it is hotter there at this time of year. Mammoth Mountain has a spa and pool.

Above, The Beast at Mammoth Mountain RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The site I had at Brown's Town Campground was gravel and grass. Whereas, the site I have at Mammoth Mountain RV Park is asphalt. They do have some gravel sites. At least both had plenty of trees for shade.

Above, yours truly relaxing at Mammoth Mountain RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I will post reviews on both campgrounds after I get home at RV Park Reviews.

Above, Sierra stretched out and snoozing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For tomorrow's trek home, I am trying to decide whether to go back the way I came on U.S. 395 or head west to U.S. 99. Gasoline would be more plentiful (and cheaper) on U.S. 99. It is over $3.00/gallon here.