French Camp
French Camp lies in the Rock Creek area of the scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains, near Tom's Place and midway between Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, California. Its ideal location makes this campground a good stop for travelers on U.S. Highway 395 to rest overnight. Hiking opportunities are vast, and the creekside campground is convenient for fishing. The facility is large and inviting, with forest and mountain views and several amenities. Opening and closing dates for the season are dependent on weather.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 62 |
| Tent-only | 21 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
83 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Tent only | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 002 | Tent only | 30 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 003 | Tent only | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Tent only | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | Tent only | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Tent only | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Tent only | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 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 | 35 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
French Camp is a large facility with a variety of settings for tents and small to medium RVs (no hookups available). A few campsites can accommodate medium to large RVs and trailers. Sites are organized in one large loop, with some along the banks of the creek. Each has a picnic table and campfire ring. Firewood is available on-site for purchase, and nearby Tom's Place offers additional supplies and fee showers.
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 by calling 1-877-444-6777 |
| Fees | $33.00 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"). Max RV length 35'. Always keep a clean camp and do not feed wildlife. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Bishop or Mammoth Lakes, California, follow U.S. Highway 395 (about 30 miles north of Bishop). Take the Tom's Place exit and go 1 mile on Rock Creek Road.
| Coordinates | 37.5525° N, 118.6792° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Mac's Sporting Goods ↗ | 20.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
FRENCH CAMP CAMPGROUND, TOMS PLACE, CA
Trails nearby
- 1.1 miLower Rock Creek ↗7.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miWest Wicher Trail0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 2 miEast Wicher Trail0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 2.8 miSand Canyon Trail ↗8.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 4.3 miHilton Creek ↗8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.5 miEast Fork/Mosquito Flat Ski ↗4.7 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
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
- 8.5 miSierra National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,418,790 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
Campers will experience the beauty of pines and fragrant junipers that have come to represent Inyo National Forest. The campground sits among aspens, pinyon and ponderosa and Jeffrey pines at an elevation of 7,500 ft. The clear, cold and cascading Rock Creek, which originates in the John Muir Wilderness, runs alongside it. Brushy landscape and ample boulders in the area are fun to explore and traverse. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Recreation
Rock Creek and other waterways in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains are known for their exceptional trout fishing. A catch from the creek may includ brook, brown, rainbow and stocked Alpers trout. The area's majestic scenery and challenging trails are an obvious draw for hikers and mountain bikers. Because of the region's interesting geology, rockhounding is also popular.
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 French Camp?
Sites at French Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reserve online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 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 French Camp?
$33.00 per night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at French Camp?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is French Camp open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does French Camp have?
84 sites, including 62 standard sites without power and 21 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at French Camp?
The longest site here provides 35 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 French Camp?
Firewood is available on-site for purchase, and nearby Tom's Place offers additional supplies and fee showers.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at French Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at French Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at French Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Dogs on leash only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at French Camp?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, 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 French Camp?
Rock Creek and other waterways in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains are known for their exceptional trout fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if French Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Holiday Campground (0.1 mi, first-come), Tuff Campground (1.1 mi), and Aspen Group (Inyo) (2.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby