Fishing and hiking draw most visitors to Rock Creek Lake, a US Forest Service campground sitting at roughly 10,000 feet elevation in Inyo National Forest. The campground is tent-only, with no RV access, and runs from late May through mid-October. Fir trees cover much of the area, and the lake sits close enough that water access is a consistent draw across nearly every visitor account.
Bear activity is frequent here. Bear boxes are provided at sites, and multiple reviewers flag them as essential, not optional. Some sites run small, making it difficult to fit two larger tents, so groups should plan accordingly. The campground stays quiet by general consensus, and it attracts campers who come to fish, hike, or move through the area without much noise. Nearby Rock Creek Lakes Resort provides boat rentals, a restaurant, and hot showers for $5, a notable convenience after multi-night trips.
The Rock Creek Lake Campground sits 0.4 miles south along Rock Creek Road, and the Mosquito Flat Trailhead walk in Campground is 1.3 miles south for those staging a backpacking trip into the Little Lakes Valley corridor. Heart Lake and Gem Lakes are reachable on day hikes from the area. Reservations are available, and at this elevation, acclimation before strenuous activity is worth factoring into any itinerary. This campground works best for anglers, hikers, and tent campers who want direct water access and a low-key atmosphere at high elevation.
Description
Recreation
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.
Facilities
The campsites are well-spaced along the lake shore, with several tent-only, walk-in sites overlooking the lake. Boat rentals, educational programs, groceries and showers are all nearby. Firewood is available on-site for a fee. Bears inhabit the area, so bear-proof lockers are provided for campers to store food.
Natural Features
The campsites at Rock Creek Lake sit on a low hill with scattered aspen and lodgepole pine trees overlooking the lake's crystal blue waters. At an elevation of 9,600 feet, the facility affords visitors excellent mountain views. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (760) 935-4121.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors have convenient access 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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsRock Creek Lake is located in California near Swall Meadows
Directions
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.
Coordinates
37.4538222 N
118.7390139 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 4 hrs 19 min from Merced, CA
- 5 hrs 7 min from Visalia, CA
- 5 hrs 9 min from Fresno, CA
- 5 hrs 15 min from Hanford, CA
