Rock Creek Lake
Rock Creek and other waterways in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains are known for exceptional trout fishing. A catch from the lake may include brook, brown, rainbow and stocked Alpers trout, while anglers may be treated to golden trout in the backcountry. Power boats on the lake are limited to electric motors only. The area's majestic scenery and challenging trails are a draw for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The Tamarack Trail begins in the campground and wanders up to several high-elevation, glacially-carved alpine lakes and ponds. The campsites are well-spaced along the lake shore, with several tent-only, walk-in sites overlooking the lake.
The group site has its own page: Rock Creek Lake Group Camp.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 13 |
| Standard, no hookups | 7 |
| Walk-in | 6 |
Site guide
26 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 002 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 003 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 004 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 006 | Walk-in | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | Standard | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 008 | Standard | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | Paved | 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 |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Mammoth Lakes, California, drive south on Highway 395 for approximately 13 miles. Take the Tom's Place exit and proceed west up the canyon for about 10 miles. At the lake, follow the signs to the family campground.
| Nearest town | Bishop, California |
| Coordinates | 37.4538° N, 118.7390° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireDome
49 mi from the campground · 6,788 acres · 95% contained
- PrescribedGrant Grove Rx Spring
50 mi from the campground · 15 acres
- PrescribedGrant Grove Fall Rx
50 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 7.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Mac's Sporting Goods ↗ | 19.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Rock Creek Lake Campground Inyo NF sites 1-6
Worth a stop
- 14.8 miBear Ridge Cutoff Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miHilton Lakes4.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.3 miTamarack Lakes ↗4.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miMono Pass Pack Station2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miRock Creek Lake Ski0.7 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.3 miUpper Rock Creek Canyon4.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miTamarack Lakes Pack Sta. C/01.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.2 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
- 2.2 miSierra National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,418,790 acres
- 11.2 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
Guidebooks for Inyo National Forest and California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Rock Creek Lake?
Sites at Rock Creek Lake are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Rock Creek Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Rock Creek Lake have?
26 sites, including 13 tent-only sites, 7 standard sites without power, and 6 walk-in sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Rock Creek Lake?
Rock Creek Lake is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Rock Creek Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Rock Creek Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Rock Creek Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is the nearest town to Rock Creek Lake?
Bishop, California.
Source: Getting there
What if Rock Creek Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Rock Creek Lake Group Camp (under 0.1 mi), East Fork Campground (2.4 mi, partly first-come), and Palisades Group Campground (2.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby