15 Incredible Things to do in Bishop CA

1. Happy Boulders (The Happys) + Sad Boulders (The Sads)

NOTE: Due to recent storms, the roads to The Happys are closed. You can still get there but you need to hike a ways in. The main Sads parking lot is closed. There is apparently access from the north parking lot, but we haven’t confirmed that.

Since we’re still fairly new to bouldering outdoors, the Happys Boulders was the best place to start in Bishop. There were a lot more beginner friendly climbs. Is that why they call it the Happy Boulders?

The Volcanic Tablelands are most known for the bouldering at the Happy and the Sad Boulders. If you’re not a climber though, there are ancient petroglyphs scattered throughout to explore.

We knew that it wasn’t really climbing season in the middle of July, but we couldn’t resist waking up at the crack of dawn to get a few hours to explore the rocks. We quickly learned it’s the land of high balls (tall boulders that you will absolutely do a double take and wonder if you should be on a rope)! I liked how the guidebook kept mentioning “high ball or free solo?”

Local Tip: The best time of year to climb is in the winter, but temps do drop, so if you plan on camping, spring and fall are most pleasant. Before visiting, pick up Bishop Bouldering to use as a guide. 

See More: 15 Clever Hacks and Tips for Climbing

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2. Buttermilk Boulders (The Milks) + Buttermilk Country Loop

NOTE: The road up to The Milks still has extensive damage. You can get up there if you have high clearance and 4WD. Otherwise, you need to park earlier and hike in.

Just looking at these massive boulders gave me the heebie-jeebies. We thought the ones at Happy looked huge but these looked even bigger. The rock also felt completely different.

Whether you explore the Happy and Sad Boulders, Buttermilk Country, or Alabama Hills, there are a ton of options and we can’t wait to go back again. If we’re going to boulder out in Bishop often, we better mentally prep for those high balls. 

For those of you looking for rock climbing, you can also check out Owens River Gorge, Pine Creek Crags, Alabama Hills, and Whitney Portal.

See More: First Timer’s Guide to Rock Climbing in San Diego County

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3. Sage to Summit Climbing Gym

312 N Main St, Bishop, CA 93514, map

Who’s crazy enough to go to Bishop to climb outside in the summer? We are. Luckily when we needed an AC break and we were tired of failing outdoors, we could hide away in Sage to Summit and still get more climbing in.

Sage to Summit has a bit of everything for trail runners, climbers, and outdoor enthusiasts. They rent out gear in case you forgot any or couldn’t pack them, and they even have a small gym and training facility.

Local Tip: If you’re looking for new climbing shoes, stop by Eastside Sports on the next block and ask for Matt. Matt is one of the most knowledgeable shoe guys we’ve ever met. He can look at your feet and give you recommendations on which shoe will fit you best.

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4. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

White Mountain Rd, Bishop, CA 93514, map

We first saw Bristlecone pine trees in Great Basin, and they were peculiar and fascinating. Bristlecone pine trees are some of the oldest trees on earth, with some that are over 4,000 years old. Many of the trees have grown twisted and colorful making it a popular photography spot. Explore the self-guided trails in this protected area and find the famous Methuselah tree, which is the oldest tree in the world.

Local Tip: There is a visitor center at Schulman Grove open during the summer.

See More: The Ultimate Guide to Great Basin National Park

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5. Keough’s Hot Springs

800 Keough Hot Springs Rd, Bishop, CA 93514, map

Relax in the largest natural hot spring pool in the area. Open to the public since 1919, there are two pools to choose from. The first is a hot pool that is on average 2 feet deep and kept at a warm 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The larger pool is 100 x 40 feet and is 8.5 feet at its deepest. In the summer it’s kept at 86 – 89 degreed while in the winter, it’s kept between 90 and 92 degrees.

Local Tip: Besides the hot springs, they also offer water aerobics, a snack bar, dressing rooms, rock garden, and camping & RV sites.

See More: 25 Amazing Hot Springs in the US You Must Soak In

6. Erick Schat’s Bakkery

763 N Main St, Bishop, CA 93514, map

Think aisles and aisles of carb heaven. Everyone we asked about Bishop, told us to stop by Erick Schat’s Bakkery. Whether you’re there for the bread, pastries, or sandwiches, there is a lot to enjoy at this European-style bakery. They are known for their Original Sheepherder Bread, which has been baked continuously since 1907. We ate sandwiches the first time around, but the bread was so good, we had to pick up a loaf to take home.

Local Tip: RV Parking is across the street in the city park.

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7. Laws Railroad Museum

Silver Canyon Rd, Bishop, CA 93514, map

Check out 40 historic buildings, historic steam engines, and more at this designated California historic site. You can even ride one of the historic engines and try your hand at a hand car.

8. Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center

2300 W Line St, Bishop, CA 93514, map

We stopped here during the hottest time of day and really enjoyed learning about the history and culture of the indigenous people of the Owens Valley region. Focused on the Paiute and Shoshone tribes, there are multiple displays, artifacts, and archives. There is also a memorial hall honoring indigenous veterans, a garden walk, and crafts made by local artisans.

Local Tip: Once a week, the center hosts a public community market. Check out the live music, food, artisans, and more.

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9. World Class Trout Fishing Year-Round

These beautiful alpine lakes and crystal-clear creeks are home to Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Golden trout. The Bishop area is known for its world-class trout fishing, with a couple of areas that are open year-round. Here is a list of spots to check out:

10. Crowley Lake Columns

Benton Crossing Rd, Bishop, CA 93514, map

The Crowley Lake Columns look like something from another planet. It takes a 4WD to get out here. Plus, hope that water levels aren’t too high. But if you can make it out there, it’s worth the visit.

Local Tip: Watch your odometer when driving out there since there are no signs. It also helps to have satellite view on Google Maps since there are so many offshoot roads.

11. Bishop City Park

763 N Main St, Bishop, CA 93514, map

We discovered Bishop City Park by accident. It was one of the few places in downtown Bishop where we could park our RV. Normally, we wouldn’t spend too much time at a park that looks like every other park in the burbs, but it was peaceful and the reflections in the pond looked pretty.

We recommend the park as a great place to picnic, relax, and people-watch. There are plenty of places to sit, playgrounds for kids to play, walking trails, recreational fields, and more. 

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12. Off-Roading

We’ve only been off-roading a few times but had a lot of fun on our last local outing. The Bishop area has a lot of routes that take you to amazing remote spots. We’ll have to revisit to explore some of these trails. Here are a couple to check out:

• Saline Valley Road OHV Trail (Easy, 77.9 miles)
• Buttermilk OHV Road (Moderate, 14.8 miles)
• Inyo National Forest OHV Trail: Bishop to Big Pine (Hard, 39.2 miles)

Local Tip: Stop by the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau to pick up Backroad Tours in the Eastern Sierra and Death Valley. It’s the perfect guide for off-road trails.

13. Mountain Biking & Road Cycling

The Bishop area is full of biking trails. You can take gentle trails and enjoy the views or find something that gets the adrenaline pumping. Those who prefer staying on the roads also have a lot of great options.

14. Alabama Hills National Recreation Area

Movie Flat Rd, Lone Pine, CA 93545, map

Alabama Hills is actually in Lone Pine, about an hour south of Bishop. It’s such a cool area that we had to add it to the itinerary. Alabama Hills has been used as a film location for a long time – think classic Western movies.

The stacks of golden granite boulders set amongst the snowy Sierra Nevada are picture-perfect. The piles of rocks reminded us of Joshua Tree but with spectacular mountains behind them. The most popular spot is Mobius Arch, the largest arch in the area, and is easily accessible on the loop trail.

See More: 11 Amazing Things to do in Joshua Tree National Park

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15. Wild Willy’s Hot Springs

Brenton Crossing Rd, California, map

There are a few different hot springs in the area, but Wild Will’s is the easiest to get to. A maintained trail makes it easy to find the heart-shaped pool. Once there, it’s about 10 feet wide and 3 feet deep where you can soak and enjoy the views.

Local Tip: About 50 feet back, there’s another pool that’s deeper and hotter.

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Have you been? Any other things to do in Bishop CA we missed?