East Fork Campground
East Fork Canyon is in a beautiful wooded section of Rock Creek Canyon, near Lower Rock Creek. Anglers, hikers and photographers enjoy this scenic location in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. The facility is large and accommodating, with several loops of campsites.Opening and closing dates for the season are dependent on weather.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 46 |
| Tent-only | 25 |
| Host/management | 63 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 38 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
71 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 016 | Tent only | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 017 | Tent only | 28 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 018 | Tent only | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 019 | Tent only | Back-in | 18 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 020 | Tent only | 18 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 021 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | 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 | 38 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground has four loops. Some campsites are close together, and some sit along the banks of the creek. There is a mix of sun and shade. Firewood is available for purchase on-site. Bears inhabit the area; bear-proof lockers for food storage are located throughout the campground.
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 | Some sites are first come-first served, some sites may be reserved by calling 1-877-444-6777 or at www.recreation.gov. |
| Fees | $33.00 per night. |
| Rules | Dogs on leash only. Maximum stay 21 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 6 miles on Rock Creek Road.
| Coordinates | 37.4836° N, 118.7175° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireDome
50 mi from the campground · 6,788 acres · 95% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 5.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Mac's Sporting Goods ↗ | 19.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
East Fork Campground Best Campsites - Inyo National Forest, CA
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miEast Fork Ski Loop1 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.2 miEast Fork Outhouse Ski1.3 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.5 miWheeler Crest Trail4.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 0.6 miUpper Rock Creek Canyon4.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miEast Fork/Mosquito Flat Ski ↗4.7 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 1 miPine Grove to Hilton Lakes0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.2 miHilton Lakes Trailhead ↗Inyo National Forest
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
- 4.2 miSierra National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,418,790 acres
- 13.5 miJohn Muir Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 652,903 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 beautifully wooded area is dense with pine and fir trees, with aspens that turn golden and shimmer in the fall. Sitting at an elevation of 8,900 ft. East Fork offers views of the taller mountain peaks that surround it. The campground is adjacent to the clear, cold and cascading Rock Creek, which originates in the John Muir Wilderness and runs for 22 miles through the bottom of Rock Creek Canyon. 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 include brook, brown, rainbow and stocked Alpers trout, while anglers in the backcountry are treated to populations of golden trout. The area's majestic scenery and challenging trails are an obvious draw for hikers and mountain bikers. There are several trails in and around Rock Creek Canyon, some of which meander around high-elevation alpine lakes.
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 East Fork Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at East Fork Campground?
$33.00 per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at East Fork Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is East Fork Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does East Fork Campground have?
134 sites, including 46 standard sites without power and 25 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at East Fork Campground?
The longest site here provides 38 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 pets allowed at East Fork Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at East Fork Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at East Fork Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Dogs on leash only.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at East Fork Campground?
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 East Fork Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Palisades Group Campground (under 0.1 mi), Rock Creek Lake Group Camp (2.4 mi), and Rock Creek Lake (2.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby