Tips for visiting Inyo National Forest this Fourth of July

Tips for visiting Inyo National Forest this Fourth of July

BISHOP, Calif., June 29, 2023 – Inyo National Forest has some helpful tips for your holiday weekend to stay safe, be informed on what is open versus closed, and find out where all the fun is happening.

• Please remember, fireworks and pyrotechnics are prohibited on public lands.
• Although the Inyo National Forest is not yet in fire restrictions, the Bureau of Land Management is.
• Check the weather and sign up for relevant alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS). There is both an Excessive Heat Watch and a Flood Watch in effect.
  • NWS Reno (north zone of the forest)
  • NWS Las Vegas (south zone of the forest)
  • The hot weather will cause massive snowmelt runoff and may trigger avalanches.
    • Our waterways are running very high, frigid and fast. Although you might be tempted to get in bodies of water to cool off from the excessive heat, you can still suffer from hypothermia or get swept away. Take extra care to supervise children and pets from entering any water body.
    • Swift Water Safety Flyer
• Road Conditions: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/inyo/alerts-notices/roadconditions
  • Please note, Reds Meadow Road will remain closed this weekend.
  • See Inyo National Forest Flood Response Inciweb page for photos of road conditions.
• Campground statuses: www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/inyo/recreation
• Have backup destinations in mind, in case an area is closed, flooded, or overcrowded.

Now that you have your safety covered, check out some of these fun events for the whole family!

• Pop-up Stewardship: Mammoth Lakes Cleanup Friday from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Panum Crater Tour Friday from 10-11:30 a.m.
• Summer Evening Program: Bears! Saturday from 7-8:00 p.m.
• Schulman Grove Walk Sunday from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (And be sure to view Annie Barret Cashner’s art show at the visitor center as well).
• Mammoth Lakes Parade Tuesday from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. followed by an open house at Mammoth Lakes Fire Dept. Station 1. Come say hello to Smokey Bear and our firefighters!

As always, we encourage forest visitors to check our Alerts and Notices webpage and follow us on Facebook for the latest on the forest.

News Staff