Virginia Lakes
- Type
- Alpine lake basin
- Elevation
- 9,000 to 10,000 ft
- Motors
- No gas-powered boats
- Resort season
- Memorial Day weekend to mid-October
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
- Camping
- Restrooms
About this lake
Virginia Lakes is a basin of nearly a dozen alpine lakes above 9,000 feet, about 6 miles up Virginia Lakes Road from Highway 395 at Conway Summit, in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Three are drive-to lakes: Trumbull, Little Virginia and Big Virginia (27 acres, the largest).
On the water
Gas-powered boats aren't allowed. The lakes are fished from non-gas boats, canoes, float tubes and the shore. Virginia Lakes Resort on Little Virginia Lake has a boat ramp.
Resort
The resort, at 9,770 feet, has cabins, a general store and a lodge serving breakfast and lunch. Mono County lists it as open Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, weather permitting. It no longer sells fishing licenses.
Camping and fishing
Trumbull Lake Campground (9,980 feet) has sites with bear boxes, vault toilets and drinking water, from early June to early October; reserve on Recreation.gov from mid-May to early September. The lakes hold rainbow, brook and some brown trout.
Getting there & access
Getting there
Turn west off Highway 395 at Conway Summit, between Lee Vining and Bridgeport, and drive about 6 miles up Virginia Lakes Road.
Season
The resort and campground close in early to mid-October, depending on weather.
Mussel inspection
Since April 2026, Mono County requires every trailered boat and jet ski to be inspected before launching. Inspections, decontamination and the Eastern Sierra mussel sticker are free at Eastern Sierra WID stations (Bridgeport and Bishop among them). Residents inspect once a year; visitors inspect on entering Mono or Inyo County, and again after launching anywhere outside the two counties. Arrive clean, drained and dry.
- Trumbull Campground
- $34 single site; Recreation.gov
- Resort phone
- (760) 937-0635
- Ranger district
- 760-932-7070
What's here
Launch
Boat ramp at Virginia Lakes Resort
Kayaking
Canoes, float tubes and non-gas boats
Fishing
Rainbow, brook and some brown trout
Camping
Trumbull Lake Campground
Cabins
Cabins at Virginia Lakes Resort
Restrooms
Vault toilets at Trumbull Lake Campground
Rules & official resources
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025dbw.parks.ca.gov ↗
- Gas-powered boats are not allowedmonocounty.org ↗
- Trailered boats and jet skis must be inspected at a free Eastern Sierra WID station and carry the Eastern Sierra mussel sticker before launching; launching uninspected can bring fines, misdemeanor charges or impoundmentftp.monocounty.ca.gov ↗
- Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and other small non-motorized craft must be cleaned, drained, dried and self-inspected before launching somewhere newmonocounty.org ↗
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