French Camp Campground
Inyo National Forest

Rock Creek Lake, Inyo National Forest, CA
Rock Creek Lake, Inyo National Forest, CA

French Camp Campground
Inyo National Forest


French Camp Campground

French Camp Campground is located along Rock Creek Road, ½ mile west of Highway 395 at Tom's Place. The campground serves as a good base for those fishing at nearby Crowley Lake and the Owens River. Crowley Lake is usually crowded with anglers on opening day in April.

Campers at French Camp Campground can drive 10 miles up the road to scenic Rock Creek Lake. Visitors to Rock Creek Lake enjoy swimming, boating and fishing. Rock Creek Lake has a 5 MPH speed limit. A little farther up the road are great trails for day hikes into Little Lakes Valley.

French Camp Campground has 86 campsites spread around several loops in an area of sage and small pines near Rock Creek. Some sites are close to the creek. Most of the campsites can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. One site is designated for RVs only and 2 sites are set aside for tents only. Two-thirds of the campsites can be reserved, the others are kept available as first-come, first-served sites.

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French Camp Campground Basics
French Camp Campground Location: Rock Creek Road, ½ mile west of Highway 395 at Toms Place
Elevation: 7,500 feet
Mileage from major cities: 295 miles north of Los Angeles
177 miles south of Reno.
Number of Campsites: 86
Camping Season: Late April through October, depending on weather
Max. People per Site: 6 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 2 vehicles, 2nd vehicle $7 per night
Maximum Length of Stay: 21 days
Pets: On leash, always attended
Operated by Recreation Resource Management for Inyo National Forest
Information - Inyo NF, Bishop (760) 873-2400

Reservations at French Camp Campground
Reservations accepted Reservations can be made for camping dates from late April through early or mid-October. At other times when the campground is open, sites are first-come, first-served.
Booking Window: Reservations taken from 4 days up to 6 months in advance of arrival.
Maximum RV/Trailer Length: Trailers and RVs over 35 feet not recommended.
Wheelchair Accessible Sites: None designated, but some facilities are accessible
Fees: $33 per night
Reservations: French Camp Campground Reservations
Check-in, check-out: 2:00 PM, 1:00 PM

French Camp Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, fire ring, bear-proof food storage locker; no hook-ups
Campground: Restrooms with flush toilets, tap water
Showers: No
Dump station: Yes
Attractions near French Camp Campground:
  • Drive four miles to Crowley Lake, Crowley Lake Fish Camp.
  • Head up to Rock Creek Lake for fishing, boating, and swimming. Use their unimproved boat launch ramp.
  • Stop by the Rock Creek Lake Resort which has cabin rentals, boat rentals, a store, and a popular cafe.
  • Follow hiking trails to Little Lakes Valley, Hilton Lakes, and other John Muir Wilderness destinations.
  • Rock Creek Pack Station has trail rides, pack trips and other activities.

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upper Rock Creek,  Inyo National Forest, CA

Upper Rock Creek



Map of Campgrounds along Rock Creek in the Inyo National Forest, including Tuff Campground, CA


French Camp Campground,  Inyo National Forest, CA

French Camp Campground

Southern Eastern Sierra
Attractions and Activities

Explore the Eastern Sierra and discover wonderful places for camping, fishing, and hiking. Campers at French Camp Campground are close to great fishing, hiking, and mountain biking.

  • Stop in for breakfast at nearby Rock Creek Lodge, serving from 8 AM to 10 AM.
  • Find great fishing at Convict Lake, Rock Creek Lake, and Crowley Lake.
  • On your way out, stop in McGee Creek Lodge for baked goodies, breakfast, or lunch.
  • Visit McGee Creek Pack Station for trail rides or fishing pack trips.
  • Enjoy a day at Rock Creek Lake's beach area for swimming.
  • Hike up Big Pine Creek past waterfalls to actor Lon Chaney's wilderness cabin and Big Pine Lakes.
  • Fish for trout in popular Bishop Creek or nearby Lake Sabrina and South Lake.
  • Find excellent fishing at Convict Lake, Rock Creek Lake, and Lake Crowley.
  • Enjoy interesting hiking trails leading into the Sierra Nevada.
  • Head to the Rock Creek area for challenging mountain biking trails.
  • Go on a trail ride with Rock Creek Pack Station or near Lake Sabrina and North Lake see Bishop Pack Outfitters.
  • Find great fishing at Convict Lake, Rock Creek Lake, and Lake Crowley.
  • Spend days fishing and hiking among the beautiful Mammoth Lakes.
  • Take a day hike up the trail into Little Lakes Valley at Rock Creek.

Key French Camp Campground Regulations

  1. Fires are only allowed in provided fire rings. Collect only down and dead firewood.
  2. Avoid problems with bears by storing food and scented items in bear-proof lockers.
  3. Quiet Hours are from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
  4. Generators are not permitted to be run during quiet hours; otherwise, observe a three-hour maximum run time. Generators must be attended while running.
  5. Dogs must be always kept on leash and always attended. No more than 2 pets are allowed per campsite.

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