Bishop - Nature and Wildlife Located in California's beautiful Eastern Sierra, the Inyo National Forest offers clean air, crystal blue skies, mountain lakes and streams, challenging trails, high mountain peaks, and beautiful views. With over two million acres, the Inyo National Forest is home to many natural wonders, including Mt. Whitney, Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes Basin, and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, as well as seven Congressionally-designated Wildernesses, comprising over 650,000 acres of land.

Recreational opportunities include camping, picnicking, hiking, backpacking, equestrian use, and off-highway vehicle use. Two ski resorts offer alpine skiing and snowboarding; over 100 miles of trails groomed for multiple purpose winter use include snowmobile, skiing, and hiking, and approximately 45 miles of trails groomed for cross-country skiing.

The Ansel Adams Wilderness was designated with the Wilderness Act of 1964. Extending from Highway 120 in the north to Lake Thomas Edison in the south it contains 231,066 acres of wilderness, including much of the John Muir Trail. In addition, Devils Postpile National Monument, though not wilderness, is centered in the Ansel Adams. Its name was changed from Minarets Wilderness in 1984 to honor the famous photographer and environmentalist Ansel Adams.

The John Muir Wilderness encompasses a 100-mile stretch of typical Sierra Nevada peaks and valleys, including the tallest peak in the lower 48 states, Mount Whitney (14,496 feet). It is one of the most heavily visited wildernesses in the nation. The John Muir was also established with the Wilderness Act of 1964 and enlarged by the California Wilderness Act of 1984, now totaling 581,143 acres.