French Camp

Overview

French Camp lies in the Rock Creek area of the scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains, near Tom's Place and midway between Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, California. Its ideal location makes this campground a good stop for travelers on U.S. Highway 395 to rest overnight.

Hiking opportunities are vast, and the creekside campground is convenient for fishing. The facility is large and inviting, with forest and mountain views and several amenities.

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 includ brook, brown, rainbow and stocked Alpers trout.

The area's majestic scenery and challenging trails are an obvious draw for hikers and mountain bikers.

Because of the region's interesting geology, rockhounding is also popular.

Facilities

French Camp is a large facility with a variety of settings for tents and small to medium RVs (no hookups available). A few campsites can accommodate medium to large RVs and trailers.

Sites are organized in one large loop, with some along the banks of the creek. Each has a picnic table and campfire ring.

Firewood is available on-site for purchase, and nearby Tom's Place offers additional supplies and fee showers.

Natural Features

Campers will experience the beauty of pines and fragrant junipers that have come to represent Inyo National Forest. The campground sits among aspens, pinyon and ponderosa and Jeffrey pines at an elevation of 7,500 ft.

The clear, cold and cascading Rock Creek, which originates in the John Muir Wilderness, runs alongside it. Brushy landscape and ample boulders in the area are fun to explore and traverse.

The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and many species of fish and birds.

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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (760) 935-4824.

Camp site features

Across 83 camp sites:

  • Pets allowed: all 83 sites
  • Longest rig: 35 ft
  • Largest party: 6 people
  • Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

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 1 mile on Rock Creek Road.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

402 reviews
5 stars
300
4 stars
56
3 stars
22
2 stars
14
1 stars
10
Matt N
Loop:Fren
Site:
Reviewed 5 days ago
we moved from French camp to another campsite in the area. this was an effortless experience.
Helen D
Loop:Fren
Site:
Reviewed 7 days ago
Great campground if you're fine with a large, busy campground. Our site was big and the neighboring one was HUGE. you could easily fit three tents in our site and five on our neighbors. Flush toilets were clean and there was never a wait, even at the weekend. Tom's place is great for food if you don't feel like cooking in camp, and the hiking to Gem Lake was one of the nicest hikes I've done in the Sierra.
Kenneth A
Loop:Fren
Site:
Reviewed 10 days ago
Clean flush toilets, tent setup under trees, camp fire. I will definitely come back.
Karla B
Loop:Fren
Site:
Reviewed 10 days ago
Nice flat campsite. Clean bathrooms!
Todd D
Loop:Fren
Site:
Reviewed 10 days ago
Great spot. We are in a camper van so it was pretty sunny on the van all day. Great for solar, not so great when it's hot. The site is spacious and near the bathrooms. Rock creek is just across the road to enjoy. Fishing can be a bit difficult with lots of brush and trees but fun nonetheless. This is one of our favorite campgrounds in the Mammoth area.
Don A
Loop:Fren
Site:
Reviewed 11 days ago
Camp was very clean and bathrooms spotless. The Camp host was wonderful. Went on trips to the Gondola at Mammoth and June Lake.
Availability

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

Popularity: Quiet

Busiest in August, when about 32% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 11 years of reservations.

Camp Sites

Nearby Campgrounds