Bishop, it’s a little dusty, kinda weird, aggressively sunny, and quietly surrounded by some of the best high-desert and Sierra terrain in California. You don’t come to Bishop for mimosas and spa robes. You come to Bishop to hike until your calves scream, fish until the sun sets, and eat food truck burritos that are way better than they should be. So whether you’re here for climbing season, a fly fishing bender, a mountain mission, or just a strategic getaway from LA, here’s where we tell our friends to stay.
Wayfinder Bishop
If Wes Anderson designed a hotel in the Eastern Sierra, it would look like this.
The Wayfinder Bishop is a bit fancy, but in all the right ways. Formerly the Creekside Inn, this reimagined stay is boutique meets Bishop. Plush beds, warm tones, and smart rustic design—not too precious, not too stale. Rooms open to Bishop Creek, which literally runs through the property, so you can sip your morning coffee next to actual flowing water. There’s a pool, fire pits, Estonian sauna, and enough tasteful design to please your friends who read Dwell on the regular.
For: City-core outdoorsy couples. Remote workers with a hiking habit.
Bonus: Dog-friendly. Fire pits. Zero beige walls.
Eastside Guesthouse & Bivy
Like crashing at your crunchy friend’s house who always has great design tastes, good tea and great trail beta.
Bishop’s backpacker basecamp—laid-back, sustainable, and somehow still stylish without trying too hard. At the Eastside Bivy & Guesthouse you’ll find communal kitchens, outdoor showers, and a chill vibe that attracts climbers, PCT hikers, and mountain folks who smell like sagebrush and coconut oil. They have overly adorable private rooms, and hostel style accomadations. Don’t expect 5-star luxury, but do expect genuine hospitality, good vibes, and clean beds after a long day in the wild.
For: Conscious travelers. European Travelers. Dirtbag graduates.
Bonus: Coffee always brewing. Leave with a new friend and good beta.
Bishop Village Motel
Family-run, no-frills, exactly what you need—nothing you don’t.
Tucked just off Main Street, the Bishop Village Motel is family-owned and delivers clean rooms, a friendly vibe, and the kind of hospitality that’s getting harder to find. It’s quiet, centrally located, and affordable—perfect if you’re here to explore and just need a solid place to crash between adventures.
For: Road-trippers passing through, families, Eastside loyalists who spend more time outside than in.
Bonus: Dog friendly, park outside your door, walk to everything and save your cash for burritos and bait.
Cardinal Village Resort
If you want to disappear into the mountains but still have coffee in the morning.
Cardinal Village is one of those places that feels stuck in time—in the best way possible. A cluster of cozy cabins tucked beneath towering aspens, this is where families return year after year, where the café serves real-deal pie, and where the fishing report is posted like gospel. It’s not luxury, but it’s warm, charming, and real-deal Eastside.
For: Families, fishers, nostalgic mountain folks
Bonus: Café with legit breakfast, general store vibes, and a backyard that feels like Narnia.
Bishop Creek Lodge
For early risers who want to fish at dawn and crash by 8.
Further up the road toward South Lake, Bishop Creek Lodge is equal parts old-school and ruggedly practical. The cabins are simple, clean, and right where you want them—close to trailheads, lakes, and high-altitude fishing. The bar on-site is a surprise hit, full of locals, cold beer, and the kind of storytelling you only get at 9,000 feet.
For: Hardcore anglers, peak baggers, chill vacationers who wear Tevas with socks.
Bonus: Proximity to everything that matters: trails, lakes, and a cold one at the end of the day.
Airbnb’s
Solitude and Chill.
Bishop and its outskirts have some excellent, low-key Airbnbs, from desert trailers to quaint historic cottages. These are perfect if you’re here for a longer stay, have a dog in tow, or just want your own space to drink beer in your underwear after hiking 12 miles.
For: Couples, digital nomads, writers working on their “book.”
Bonus: Hot tubs, chickens, mountain views, and total peace.
Camping? Obviously.
Did you come all the way to the Eastside to sleep in a king-sized bed?
If you’ve got the gear, and its the right time of year, just camp. Bishop is surrounded by epic campgrounds, from the Buttermilks to Big Pine Creek, and you can wake up to alpenglow instead of room service. Pack out your trash, and don’t play EDM at 6am.
For: You, nature, and a functioning headlamp.
Bonus: Bears, maybe marmots. Don’t be a kook, and Camp Like a Pro.
Final Thoughts
Bishop is not a luxury destination—and that’s why people love it. Your days will be full of rocks, rivers, and dust. Your nights should be full of rest, warmth, and maybe a shower if you’re lucky. Whether you’re here to for backcountry adventures, or just escape your inbox, we wish you a nice stay and good stoke.
Sleep tight.
