East Fork Campground – Inyo National Forest (CA)

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (760) 935-4012.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Camp site features

Across 71 camp sites:

  • Pets allowed: all 71 sites
  • Longest rig: 38 ft
  • Largest party: 6 people

Directions

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

361 reviews
5 stars
276
4 stars
55
3 stars
9
2 stars
11
1 stars
10
Linda A
Loop:East
Site:
Reviewed 7 days ago
Awesome sites. Clean. Great camp hosts. Water fill area available for RV or vans. And of course for tent camping. Bathrooms are very clean. Flush toilets. Wonderful hikes from grounds. Definitely keep you food in bear storage cupboards and keep car doors closed/locked. Bears were in the grounds being opportunists! Such beautiful animals! I'd definitely return. Thank you!
Mary Alice P
Loop:East
Site:
Reviewed 10 days ago
Great location near Rock Creek. Downside was the difficulty getting into narrow campsite parking spaces.
Roy L
Loop:East
Site:
Reviewed 11 days ago
This was my first visit to East Fork - but it won’t be my last. The site I had was very clean and well taken care of. The bathrooms were very clean and the camp manager was very nice. There were a number of families enjoying the campground but it was very quiet. Excellent experience.
Jenna P
Loop:East
Site:
Reviewed 11 days ago
Beautiful walk from east Fork Campground up to rock Creek Lodge. Campsites are well mapped out at East Fort. The house keep the restrooms super clean and tidy. We weren’t during late summer and I did feel like the rivers of slower so there was little pools to jump in down by the creek and great fishing spots when walking to the left of the trail. Overall, one of the best places I’ve stayed and will definitely be returning.
Ken R
Loop:East
Site:
Reviewed 12 days ago
Campground was immaculate and as always the camp hosts were outstanding. Many thanks to Dennis, Katherine, and Mark for an outstanding experience.
Katie O
Loop:East
Site:
Reviewed 12 days ago
We went when it was unseasonably cold for June (34 degrees at night), so that was a little unexpected. However, we left talking about returning to this campground again. The scenery is gorgeous. There is a river right next to the campsite that many people were fishing in. The toilets are super clean and have running water and a light (no plug). We usually have pit or vault toilets, so having flushing toilets was a treat. Our campsite was awesome and quiet. The one things that is challenging at all the campsites is that there is a road right there, so if you have small kids that means more things to keep track of. The hosts were very nice and helpful.
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Popularity: Busy

Busiest in August, when about 60% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 11 years of reservations.

Camp Sites

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