Palisades Group Campground
Palisades Group Campground lies along Rock Creek in Inyo National Forest, near Mammoth Lakes and Bishop, California. Well-suited for large families and groups, the facility provides access to fishing, hiking, scenic driving, photography and wildlife viewing.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G01 | Gravel | Partial | 30 / 5 | 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 | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | $93.00 per night. |
Palisades has ample shade and a private loop with five tables and campfire rings. The site can also serve as an overflow group campground for groups of 25 or less who are not able to reserve the nearby Rock Creek Lake Group site.
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. |
| Season | May |
| Forest | Inyo National Forest |
| Booking | Reservation only by calling 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. |
| Fees | $93.00 per night. |
| Rules | Use is by reservation only at 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. 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"). Always keep a clean camp and do not feed wildlife. Fires permitted only in fireplaces provided. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From U.S. Highway 395, take the Tom's Place exit, 13 miles south of Mammoth Lakes or 30 miles north of Bishop. Turn left on Rock Creek Road and follow for about 6 miles to Palisades Group Campground on the right.
| Nearest town | Tom'S Place, California |
| Coordinates | 37.4833° N, 118.7167° 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
Trails nearby
- 0.2 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
- 0.7 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
The campground sits at an elevation of 8.800 feet, at the bottom of a steep canyon adjacent to Rock Creek and amidst aspen and lodgepole pine trees. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Recreation
Hiking and fishing opportunities abound, with local lakes and streams within walking and driving distance. The eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains are known for their exceptional trout fishing. A catch from the creek may including brook, brown, rainbow and stocked Alpers trout, while anglers may be treated to golden trout in the backcountry. There are several hiking 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
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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 Palisades Group Campground?
Sites at Palisades Group Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservation only by calling 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Palisades Group Campground?
$93.00 per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Palisades Group Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Palisades Group Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Palisades Group Campground have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Palisades Group Campground?
The longest site here provides 40 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 Palisades Group Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Palisades Group Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Palisades Group 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. Use is by reservation only at 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Palisades Group Campground?
Hiking and fishing opportunities abound, with local lakes and streams within walking and driving distance. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Palisades Group Campground?
Tom'S Place, California. 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.
Source: Getting there
What if Palisades Group Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are East Fork Campground (under 0.1 mi, partly first-come), Rock Creek Lake Group Camp (2.4 mi), and Rock Creek Lake (2.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby