Why You Need to Visit Bridgeport, California

There are some places that just take your breath away. For us, that special place has always been Bridgeport, California. For the past five years, we’ve been coming here to unplug, recharge in nature, and soak in that fresh mountain air. So when we decided to transition from van life to Airstream living, we felt the best basecamp to get grounded and explore from what this charming small town in the Eastern Sierras.

What Makes Bridgeport Special

Right on the scenic Hwy 395, Bridgeport is nestled between Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe. There are so many reasons to love the small-town charm of Bridgeport. First, you can’t deny the scenic views. From cattle-fed meadows to the jagged spires of Sawtooth Mountains as its backdrop, Bridgeport is an adventure lover’s paradise. There are trails for hiking lovers, as well as plenty of lakes and streams for fishing.

When to Visit Bridgeport

The best time of the year to visit this charming small town is during the Summer and Fall. The Summer season opens towards the end of May, with tourism peaking in June, July and August. Summer temperatures can range from 80-100 degrees as the high, with lows of 30-50 degrees. Keep in mind that due to climate changes, the past few years have seen terrible nearby wildfires in August and September, bringing in poor air quality and smoke at times. Autumn is also a lovely time to visit, as you’re able to see some of the most beautiful fall colors throughout the area. While we are not cold weather people, especially as the winters here are known to be brutally cold, there are plenty of outdoor activities like snowshoeing and snowmobiling. And the snow on the mountains are rumored to be breathtaking!

What to Do in Bridgeport

There is quite a bit of history in this tiny town. In 1827, trappers, explorers and emigrants stumbled upon the Bridgeport Valley when Jedediah Strong Smith and his party crossed the Sierra and discovered gold in the foothills around Mono Lake. Just a few miles south of Bridgeport, the first placer gold mining settlement in the Eastern Sierra was formed at Dogtown in 1859 with 70 Mormon families. The small town didn’t last long once the gold played out, so the miners moved south to Monoville. In the late 1850s, miners discovered rich gold and silver deposits in nearby Bodie, Masonic and Aurora.

Between the community history and the beautiful outdoors, there are plenty of things to do around Bridgeport!

The Mono County Courthouse & Jail

Even today, you can still see the remnants of Bridgeport’s old history. Find a spot to park and stroll through this tiny town, where you can’t miss the Mono County Courthouse. Built in the 1800s and still operating today, it’s the quintessential small-town America stop. Behind the courthouse, you can also visit the old “escape-proof” Bridgeport jail.

The Mono County Museum

From the County Courthouse, take a quick walk to the old school house, which has been restored to an intimate county museum. Inside, there are lots of artifacts from both the pioneers and the Native Americans from the area dating back to the 1800s. The place is packed with old Western guns, tools and newspaper articles. What’s especially nice is the staff, who are always friendly and happy to answer any questions you have. Admission is $2 per person, and when you’re done learning the local history, there’s a great little playground right outside for the kids to burn off some energy!

Visit the Local Hot Springs

One of the main draws to the Bridgeport area are the nearby geothermal hot springs, where you can soak under the open sky. We love going to the hot springs for a quick dip, especially after a long day of hiking. Before we get into the details, it’s imperative that I share a few considerations. These hot springs have become extremely popular in the past few years, with more and more folks making this stop on their 395 road trip. PLEASE, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR TRASH. Pack it in, and pack it out. While it’s so nice to enjoy a cold brew during your soak, do NOT bring glass bottles. Pick up your cigarette butts and all of your property. The last few times we’ve been out there, we’ve been so disheartened to see people trashing this special place. Do your part — leave no trace.

Let’s also talk about hot springs etiquette. Before you go, know that many people prefer to soak nude. If you’re going with your kiddos, give them a heads up not to stare. ? Secondly, be mindful of this (and others) when you bust out your camera to get some photos. This next tip should go without saying, but do NOT pee in the hot springs! Also, try to keep the noise down. The hot springs aren’t an invitation to live it up and party, as most patrons are trying to relax.

Travertine Hot Springs

OK, now that this is settled, let’s get to the fun part! The first (and most popular) hot springs is Travertine Hot Springs. It’s south of the downtown area, off of Route 395 on Jack Sawyer Road, and very easy to access. This spot tends to be very busy in the summer months, so plan on visiting first thing in the morning, or in the evening. There is no entrance fee or anyone patrolling the area, but please know that you are on state park land. All in all, there are five main pools where you can soak. The first is a man-made pool that is closest to the parking lot. This one is almost always taken! If it is, don’t worry — just follow the worn dirt path west of this hot spring. There you’ll find three more pools, that vary in temperature. The largest pool tends to be the hottest. Dip a toe or finger in first — there have been many times that we could not imagine getting into water that hot! The next couple pools go down in temperature, with the last being the coolest. If all of these hot springs are taken, take the beaten path south to find a couple more hidden spots.

Buckeye Hot Springs

Buckeye Hot Springs is the ideal place to go if you’re looking to alternate between hot and cold soaks. The hot springs cascades down a side wall into man-made rock pools next to Buckeye Creek, which is quite cold! You’ll want to bring shoes that you can easily hike in, as the access point is steep.

Bodie State Historic Park

Remember the rich history I mentioned earlier? The best evidence of what life used to be like here can be found at Bodie State Historic Park, Bridgeport’s very own ghost town. Designated a state park in 1962, Bodie was once home to a gold-mining community in the late 1800s. Although it’s been deserted for a long time, you can still remnants of the Western town where more than 10,000 people once lived. When a collapsed mine revealed a body of gold ore, many flocked to Bodie in hopes of striking it rich. In its heyday, Bodie had more than 60 saloons and dance halls, and was notorious as the “most lawless, wildest and toughest mining camp the far west has ever known.”

Only 5% of the town structures remain today. Walking through this ghost town is surreal! You can peek into the windows of the old schoolhouse, the Methodist church and even the morgue. This is truly one of the coolest historical state parks we’ve ever visited. The cost to enter is $8/adult, $5 for children ages 4-17, and free for kids 3 and under. Be sure to splurge the $3 for the guide book, which is loaded with information about Bodie and will help you better understand how to tour this large state park.

Sierra Strange

Ever since we’ve traveled through the Pacific Northwest, our boys have had a healthy obsession with cryptids like Bigfoot. So you can imagine their excitement when we found a “Bigfoot store” in downtown Bridgeport! Sierra Strange is totally worth the quick stop. You’ll find artwork, books, collectibles, toys, clothing and more — all centered on otherworldly creatures like aliens and yetis. Even if you’re not into this sort of thing, it’s still a cool, funky stop. Plus the owners are awesome people!

Twin Lakes

No trip to Bridgeport is complete without the quick trek to Twin Lakes, which is about 30 minutes away. This breathtaking place is home to a set of connected lakes and offers camping, legendary fishing, boating and hiking. It’s an outdoor lover’s wonderland!

Twin Lakes cover a ton of ground — over 650 acres. These alpine lakes are surrounded by evergreens and feature stellar views of the “Californian Alps,” the Sawtooth Ridge and Sierra Crest. This is by far my favorite place to hike nearby, because mile-for-mile you encounter 360-degree views that will leave you in awe. It’s a great place to pack up a picnic and chill by the water too!

4th of July Parade & Fireworks Show

Independence Day in Bridgeport is a long-standing event — 160 years in 2022! Each year, the town comes together to celebrate in a big way for three days straight leading up to 4th of July. There are a multitude of events — a 4th of July parade, two-day rodeo, pancake breakfast, a five-mile run and three-mile walk, a trap shoot, arts & crafts festival, a softball tournament, a watermelon-eating contest, live music, karaoke, arm wrestling content, mud volleyball, bounce houses for the kids, and tons of food vendors. There’s no shortage of things to do! Once the sky goes dark on 4th of July, Bridgeport celebrates with a massive fireworks show. It’s one of the best we’ve seen to date!

Fall Colors

Every Autumn, Mono County is a sight to behold. The leaves on the aspen, cottonwood and willow trees all change colors to golden and orange hues, making this area one of the best to view the fall colors. Take a scenic drive on Hwy 108 or on 395 through Walker Canyon. Virginia Lakes, Green Lake and Twin Lakes boast beautiful fall colors on the nearby hiking trails. For the full map for hikes and views in Mono County, check out this resource.

Best Hiking Trails in Bridgeport

One of the best aspects of the Eastern Sierras is the access to miles and miles of epic hiking trails! After spending an entire summer here, we’ve hiked quite a bit. Before you go, make sure to get acclimated to the high elevation first before starting a longer hike, and pack plenty of sunscreen, water, food and mosquito repellent. You may encounter snow early in the summer season, so be sure to check the trail conditions beforehand as well. June and July are great times to hike as the wildflowers are in full bloom. Here are our favorite trails!

Horse Creek Trail

Distance: 5 miles (out & back) | Elevation Change: 1,135 feet

I absolutely fell in love with this trail. So much so that I hiked it twice! It offers incredibly beautiful views of Matterhorn Peak and the Sawtooth Ridge, while providing a fun but challenging uphill climb to the falls. Once you get up near Horse Creek Falls, keep going on the trail along the creek. There’s a fantastic spot to picnic with even more epic views of the Sawtooths.

Barney Lake

Distance: 10 miles (out & back) | Elevation Change: 1,243 feet

Before I get into the hike, I should note that there is another Barney Lake trail in the Mammoth area so make sure you’ve got the right one up on AllTrails. ? While 10 miles may deter some of you from hiking this trail, let me say this — you do NOT want to miss this one! For a majority of the trail, the path is easy and provides some of the best 360-degree views you’ll get in this area. The last mile or so to Barney Lake is where the real work comes in as the elevation gains, but trust me when I say that it’s all worth it.

Emma Lake

Distance: 3 miles (out & back) | Elevation Change: 735 feet

While the distance is short, don’t let this hike fool you — it’s straight uphill to Emma Lake. This alpine lake is literally emerald green and soooooo beautiful! We love this trail for two reasons. The drive on the dirt road in is pretty (take a timelapse for fun!) and secondly, there is hardly ever anyone on this trail. Bring your fishing pole as there are lots of brook trout ready to bite, or haul your SUP up for some fun paddleboarding! (This hike is kid-friendly.)

Virginia Lakes to Frog Lakes

Distance: 3.5 miles (out & back) | Elevation Change: 545 feet

This is easily one of my favorite hikes in Bridgeport, because it packs in the views with every step on a relatively easy trail. You’ll pass five lakes — Big Valley, Cooney, Blue and Frog Lakes — and that’s not counting the very first lakes you see, Virginia Lakes! You’ll also encounter some epic mountain peaks, streams and alpine views.

Up for a challenge? Using the same trail, keep going past Frog Lakes, up the scree, down the scree to Summit Lake… and then make your way back. All in all, its 10.5 miles and 2,533 feet of elevation gain. It’s a doozy, so save this one for once you’re totally acclimated to the altitude. And make sure to bring your trekking poles!

Green Lake and East Lake Trail

Distance: 7.4 miles (out & back) | Elevation Change: 1,096 feet

This is such a beautiful hike that will leave you breathless in more ways than one! We hiked this early in the season, and had awesome views of the snow-filled peaks surrounding us. Although we did not make it to East Lake, I would easily hike this trail again to do so. We did this hike with the boys — slowly — but it can be done with kiddos if they’re used to high elevation and longer mileage.

Secret Lake Loop

Distance: 7 miles (out & back) | Elevation Change: 839 feet

Just outside of Bridgeport off of Hwy 108, Secret Lake lives up to its name. Start counter-clockwise and head through Leavitt Meadows. This isn’t a super popular hike, so you may only see a few folks throughout the journey. (Our favorite kind!) Make sure to pack a picnic for Secret Lake, as well as your swimsuit. If you want to add more mileage, hike through Leavitt Meadows to Roosevelt and Lane Lakes, then turn around and pass Secret Lake on your way back. It’ll bring your total trek to 11 miles and 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We did it as a two-night backpacking trip and LOVED it!

Where to Eat in Bridgeport

Before I get into food recommendations, I should note that this town is really small, so options are limited. Fortunately, there are some delicious gems here! It’s also important to note that it can be very expensive to dine out in Bridgeport compared to most places. If you’re able to eat a meal for a family of four for under $50 here, it’s a steal.

One more thing: If you plan on spending some time in Bridgeport, be sure to stock up on groceries before you arrive. There is a small general market that has the basics (which I’ll get to below), but it can be difficult to find staples like fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and milk. During our summer stay in Bridgeport, we drove to Carson City (1.5 hours) or Mammoth Lakes (1.25 hours) to get groceries. Since we’re on the topic of driving out of town to stock up, make sure you have a full tank of gas too. Gas prices can be as high as $5.99 in Bridgeport!

Burger Barn (also known as The Barn)

Our all-time favorite restaurant in Bridgeport is the Burger Barn! It’s always our go-to recommendation for visitors. It’s the best place to stop after a day of hiking and exploring! Best known for their burgers, The Barn also offers up chicken sandwiches, salads and Mexican food. Our favorite meal is the BBQ Western Bacon Cheeseburger or the grilled chicken salad.

Jolly Kone

After getting your fill at Burger Barn, head over to Jolly Kone for a soft-serve ice cream. Seriously, it’s the best out there! They also have food items like burgers, chicken strips and more. But the ice cream is really where it’s at.

High Sierra Bakery

Don’t skip out on the delicious baked goods over at High Sierra Bakery. The kids love to stop in for the donuts, while Steven and I make sure to pick up some freshly baked sourdough. Their ham, cheese and jalapeño croissant is a winner, too!

Bridgeport General Store

The general store in town offers basic food and drink items, but the real deal is in the back of the market — the deli! Here you can get the most delicious sandwiches with all of the fixings. We’d often stop here before heading out on a long hike.

Albert’s Meat Market & Deli

This is our go-to stop to pick up steaks for grilling. Albert’s has a wide variety of meats (ask about their exotic offerings like elk and rabbit!), as well as ready-to-eat food such as sandwiches, potato salads, and other specials. Plus, the owners are as nice as they come.

Virginia Creek Settlement Restaurant

Just outside of town and near Bodie State Park, Virginia Creek Settlement is a great stop if you’re in the mood for pizza, pasta or a good salad. They have indoor and outdoor dining, with lots of tchotchkes to peruse on the walls. The staff is super friendly — and the pizzas are HUGE! Go for a size smaller than your usual order.

Where to Stay

Paradise Shores

We’re partial to camping at Paradise Shores for several reasons. First, the community here is always good. The owners are super welcoming and friendly, and that radiates throughout the entire campground. It’s the place we keep coming back to year after year.

Regardless of how you want to camp, there is an option for everyone. Paradise Shores has several tent sites that overlook the Bridgeport Reservoir, as well as plenty of campsites for travel trailers, pop-up campers and vans. For those that want to camp with all of the amenities and none of the work, you can rent one of their seven trailers or the Blu House that come completely outfitted with everything you need!

There’s also a good reason why Paradise Shores has been awarded one of the top Hipcamps in the U.S. and has a 90% approval rating. It’s family friendly, and kids can safely run amuck or ride their bikes around. There are two communal campfire areas where you can meet travelers from all over, as well as a communal kitchen and dining space. Paradise Shores has on-site laundry, ice and propane for all of your needs, as well as DVD movies that you can check out. Wanna get on the reservoir? Take out one of the free stand-up paddleboards!

There are other places to camp near Bridgeport, but you won’t find any as nice as Paradise Shores. Make sure to book in May as sites go fast. Tell them Steven and Alexis from @NeverSaySomeday sent you! ?

Walker River Lodge

Not a fan of camping? It’s all good! For a previous trip to Bridgeport, I accidentally booked the wrong dates for Paradise Shores and ended up a day early without a reservation. I went on HotelsTonight.com and found a really good rate (and solid reviews) for Walker River Lodge. Our room was really nice, had excellent views out the back and of course, access to a pool in the summer heat is a big bonus!

Summary

All in all, we hope that our blog post on Bridgeport helps as you make plans to visit this charming Eastern Sierra town! What aspect of Bridgeport are you most excited to check out? Drop a comment below and let us know!