Tuff Campground
Tuff Campground is situated along Rock Creek in the scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. It is convenient to Tom's Place and U.S. Highway 395. At an elevation of 7,000 ft. it is lower than many of the region's campgrounds and thus frequently one of the first campgrounds to open in the spring. Popular activities include hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing and viewing the area's volcanic rock formations. Opening and closing dates for the season are dependent on weather. The campground usually opens the last weekend in April to coincide with the first day of fishing in the Sierras.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 33 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
33 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 002 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 003 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 004 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 006 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 008 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 009 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 010 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This moderate-sized facility is well spread out over three loops. Some campsites sit in the shade along Rock Creek, and those at the foot of the Tuff rock formations receive more sun. There is space for small trailers and RVs, as well as some very nice level sites for tents. The campground has gravel roads. Firewood is available on-site for purchase, and Tom's Place has other supplies and fee showers within a short drive.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Inyo National Forest |
| Booking | Reserve online at www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 |
| Fees | Starting at $32.00 per night |
| Rules | Dogs on leash only. Maximum stay 14 days. Active bear area. All food must be secured overnight and when not attended; bear boxes are provided and must be used (typical bear box size 48" x 30" x 36"). Always keep a clean camp and do not feed wildlife. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Mammoth Lakes or Bishop, California: Take U.S. Highway 395 to the Owens Gorge Road exit at Tom's Place (25 miles north of Bishop and 13 miles south of Mammoth Lakes). Drive 200 yards east to the gravel road and continue north a short distance to the campground along Rock Creek. Follow signs.
| Coordinates | 37.5625° N, 118.6642° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Mac's Sporting Goods ↗ | 20.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Tuff Campground - Inyo National Forest, CA
Trails nearby
- 0.5 miLower Rock Creek ↗7.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.4 miWest Wicher Trail0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 2.5 miEast Wicher Trail0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 2.9 miSand Canyon Trail ↗8.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Inyo National Forest.
- inInyo National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,097,006 acres
- 9.6 miSierra National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,418,790 acres
- 14.8 miWhite Mountains Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 230,966 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Natural features
This campground is named for the Tuff rock formations that lie in and around it. Most campsites are situated in an open sagebrush landscape, with aspens, cottonwood and Jeffrey pine trees surrounding the area. The clear, cold and cascading Rock Creek runs alongside the campsites, offering a relaxing sound for campers. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Recreation
Rock Creek and nearby Rock Creek Lake and Crawley Lake are hot spots for trout fishing. A catch from the creek may including brook, brown, rainbow and stocked Alpers trout. The area's majestic scenery and challenging trails are an obvious draw for hikers and mountain bikers.
Nearby
For campers interested in local events, Mule Days are held in nearby Bishop over Memorial Day weekend, and the Mammoth Jazz Jubilee is hosted in Mammoth in mid-July.
Guidebooks for Inyo National Forest and California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Tuff Campground?
Sites at Tuff Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reserve online at www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Tuff Campground?
Starting at $32.00 per night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Tuff Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Tuff Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Tuff Campground have?
34 sites, including 33 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Tuff Campground?
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Tuff Campground?
Firewood is available on-site for purchase, and Tom's Place has other supplies and fee showers within a short drive.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Tuff Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Tuff Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Tuff Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Dogs on leash only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Tuff Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Tuff Campground?
Rock Creek and nearby Rock Creek Lake and Crawley Lake are hot spots for trout fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Tuff Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are French Camp (1.1 mi), Holiday Campground (1.1 mi, first-come), and Aspen Group (Inyo) (3.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby