Convict Lake Campground
Convict Lake Campground is situated near Convict Lake amidst the beautiful scenery of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The lake and surrounding national forest provide many opportunities for family fun, outdoor recreation and relaxation. The campground and nearby resort offer many amenities for a convenient and enjoyable camping experience. The facility is located between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop, California, near Mammoth Airport.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 37 |
| Tent-only | 11 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 55 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
48 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Paved | 6 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 003 | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Paved | 6 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | 6 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | 6 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 006 | Tent only | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | 6 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 008 | Tent only | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | 6 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 011 | Tent only | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 013 | Tent only | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 015 | Tent only | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 017 | Tent only | Back-in | 38 | 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 |
| Max vehicle length | 55 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Sites 043, 048, 050, 051 and 4 more are listed accessible |
This is a fairly large and well-organized facility with both reservable and first-come, first-served campsites. A few sites overlook the lake, while others are a short distance from the shore. Sites are spaced fairly close together. Flush toilets, drinking water, and a dump station are provided, as well as food storage lockers for safety from bears. Campers can purchase firewood on-site. A store, pack station, boat rentals, restaurant, and other amenities are just down the road at the Convict Lake Resort.
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 | Convict Lake Campground, Inyo National Forest - Recreation.gov 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) |
| Fees | $33.00 per night per site |
| Rules | Dogs on leash only. Maximum stay 14 days. Active bear area, bear boxes are provided and must be used (typical size: 48"x30"x36") |
Weather by month
Getting there
Convict Lake Campground is about 34 miles north of Bishop, California on Highway 395. From Bishop, travel north on 395. The turnoff to the campground is across from Mammoth Yosemite Airport and is well-signed. From Mammoth Lakes, travel on Highway 395 south for 5 miles. Turn west off of Highway 395.
| Nearest town | Crowley Lake, California |
| Coordinates | 37.5989° N, 118.8508° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireDome
42 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 ↗ | 0.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Mac's Sporting Goods ↗ | 29.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Convict Lake Campground Best Campsites
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miConvict Pack Station0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miConvict Hiker Parking0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miConvict Lake Loop2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miConvict Lake Vis ↗0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.6 miMcGee Mountain0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.1 miHot Creek Ski1.7 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.3 miConvict Lake Loop 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
Sierra National Forest begins about 3.7 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3.7 miSierra National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,418,790 acres
- 7.3 miInyo National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,097,006 acres
- 7.4 miAnsel Adams Wilderness ↗Wilderness · FS/NPS · 231,619 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
On the National Register nearby
- Devils Postpile National Monument Ranger CabinBuilding · Mammoth Lakes · 13 mi
Natural features
The campground sits at an elevation of 7,500 ft. and provides gorgeous views of the lake and the dramatic mountain scenery. Convict Creek runs through the campground, and the 167-acre Convict Lake is about 100 yards away. Shrubs and low vegetation fill in the landscape, though tall aspen and cottonwood trees grow along the creek. The area is abundant with wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Recreation
The eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains are known for exceptional trout fishing. Anglers can cast a line for rainbow and brown trout in the creek or lake. Power boats are limited to electric motors on the lake (six horsepower or less). The area's majestic scenery and variety of trails draw in hikers, mountain bikers and equestrian enthusiasts. The 3.5-mile Lake Trail can be accessed from the campground, and many other trails are in nearby John Muir Wilderness.
Nearby
Visitors can explore the magnificent John Muir Wilderness, which stretches for 100 miles along the crest of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially-carved terrain, and offers extensive hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails.
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 Convict Lake 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 Convict Lake Campground?
$33.00 per night per site
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Convict Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Convict Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Convict Lake Campground have?
48 sites, including 37 standard sites without power and 11 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Convict Lake Campground?
The longest site here provides 55 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 Convict Lake Campground?
Flush toilets, drinking water, and a dump station are provided, as well as food storage lockers for safety from bears.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Convict Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Convict Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Convict Lake 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
Are there accessible sites at Convict Lake Campground?
Sites 043, 048, 050, and 051 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 8 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Convict Lake Campground?
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 Convict Lake Campground?
The eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains are known for exceptional trout fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation