U.S. Forest Service · Inyo National Forest · California

Aspen Group (Inyo)

Aspen Group Campground is a secluded, creek side camp in Inyo National Forest between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop, California. The group camping area is primitive and provides spectacular scenery, as well as fishing, hiking, photography and wildlife viewing. The campground has plenty of wide-open spaces and group picnic areas, making it ideal for large parties and family functions.

More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Aspen Group (Inyo)ASPEN GROUP (INYO)ASPEN GROUP (INYO)ASPEN GROUP (INYO)
Photos courtesy of USFS · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Group sites1
This site is booked as a single unit on Recreation.gov. The booking page shows which dates are open and how far ahead they release. How the booking window works

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFires
1Back-in30GravelPartial25 / 5Yes

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

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length30 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions

The group camping area can be reserved for up to 25 guests. It provides flush toilets and drinking water, as well as ample space for RVs and tents.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
ForestInyo National Forest
BookingReservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 months in advance.
Fees$93.00 per night.
RulesDogs 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.

Inyo National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Aspen Group (Inyo)20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 4.20 inches of precipitationFebruary: 3.77 inches of precipitationMarch: 3.28 inches of precipitationApril: 1.54 inches of precipitationMay: 1.49 inches of precipitationJune: 0.47 inches of precipitationJuly: 0.51 inches of precipitationAugust: 0.49 inches of precipitationSeptember: 0.47 inches of precipitationOctober: 1.43 inches of precipitationNovember: 2.00 inches of precipitationDecember: 4.07 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 28.9°F averageFebruary: 29.4°F averageMarch: 33.8°F averageApril: 39.1°F averageMay: 47.4°F averageJune: 56.2°F averageJuly: 63.4°F averageAugust: 62.4°F averageSeptember: 55.5°F averageOctober: 45.5°F averageNovember: 36.2°F averageDecember: 29.2°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 in5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Mammoth Lakes RS, 16 miles from the campground at 7,804 feet, station USC00045280 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 24 inches a year.

Getting there

From Bishop, California, take Highway 395 northwest for 25 miles. Turn south at Tom's Place, and continue driving south for 4 miles onto Rock Creek Road, following signs to the campground.

Coordinates37.5236° N, 118.7119° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Wildfire
    Dome

    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 stationDump station ↗3 mi
Outdoor gearMac's Sporting Goods ↗20.6 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Aspen Campground Aug 2021

  • 2 mi
    East Fork/Mosquito Flat Ski ↗
    4.7 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
  • 2.1 mi
    East Fork Ski Loop
    1 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
  • 2.2 mi
    Upper Rock Creek Canyon
    4.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 2.5 mi
    West Wicher Trail
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
  • 2.5 mi
    Wheeler Crest Trail
    4.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
  • 2.5 mi
    East Wicher Trail
    0.2 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

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Inyo National Forest.

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.

Natural features

The campground sits in a stand of rustling aspen trees that shimmer golden in fall. Situated at an elevation of 8,100 feet, Aspen offers views of massive peaks to the west and surrounding steep canyons. The group site 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 martin, marmot 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 may be treated to golden trout in the backcountry. Hikers can explore the area majestic scenery on trails that meander around high-elevation alpine lakes. Several non-wilderness trails that range from easy to challenging, are a draw for mountain bikers in and around Rock Creek Canyon.

Nearby

A commercial pack station is within close proximity for horse enthusiasts looking for an outdoor adventure. Several general stores, restaurants, and pay showers are available at nearby resorts.

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.

  • Inyo National Forest, California
    United States Forest Service, 2010
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Moon California Camping
    Tom Stienstra, 2022
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Camping Northern California
    Linda Parker Hamilton, 2016
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Aspen Group (Inyo)?

Sites at Aspen Group (Inyo) are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 months in advance. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Aspen Group (Inyo)?

$93.00 per night.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Aspen Group (Inyo)?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Aspen Group (Inyo) open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Aspen Group (Inyo) have?

1 site, including 1 group site.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Aspen Group (Inyo)?

The longest site here provides 30 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 Aspen Group (Inyo)?

It provides flush toilets and drinking water, as well as ample space for RVs and tents.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Aspen Group (Inyo)?

Yes, pets are allowed at Aspen Group (Inyo). Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Aspen Group (Inyo)?

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 Aspen Group (Inyo)?

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 Aspen Group (Inyo) is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Iris Meadow Campground (0.3 mi, first-come), Holiday Campground (2.6 mi, first-come), and French Camp (2.7 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby