Fishing, hiking, and paddling draw campers to Twin Lakes Campground throughout its late May to late October season, with Upper and Lower Twin Lakes sitting directly alongside the sites. Set within Inyo National Forest, the campground runs along the eastern shore of the lakes, just past Tamarack Lodge, where a small store (open 7am to 7pm) rents boats by the hour and offers showers for $6 per person. A waterfall is visible from many sites and reachable on foot in minutes. Elevation here is significant, so even summer nights can drop to cold temperatures.
The campground skews heavily toward RVs and trailers, with sites accommodating rigs up to 55 feet. Tent campers can find workable spots, though some reviewers note uneven ground and occasional mud. Sites toward the back of the campground see less foot traffic than those near the water, where the year-round crowd tends to concentrate. Jason F. noted the campground was "probably 75% full with mostly RVs and trailers" during a late September visit, which gives a realistic sense of the crowd mix heading into fall.
Bears are active here. Multiple reviewers report nighttime visits, and camp hosts enforce food storage rules with the bear boxes provided at every site. Each site also has a picnic table and fire ring. The flush toilets and running water at the restrooms have consistently drawn positive mentions for cleanliness. A nearby bike path covers the full lake basin, and camping near Mammoth Lakes gives access to an extensive network of hiking trails on the surrounding slopes.
Reservations are available and worth securing, especially for summer weekends. Cell coverage for at least one major carrier runs weak inside the campground, though a short drive into town restores signal. Erin M. describes the area as a place to "set up base camp and explore the Sierras," which fits how many visitors use it. Neighboring Lake Mary Campground and Lake George Campground are close alternatives if Twin Lakes fills up. Campers who want to bring dogs will find leash rules enforced on site.
Description
Overview
Twin Lakes Campground is located in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains near the town of Mammoth Lakes, California. It offers lakeside camping with breathtaking scenery and many outdoor activities. The lake is a great base for fishing, boating, viewing waterfalls and hiking, and offers close proximity to the town's amenities.
Recreation
The eastern Sierras are known for great trout fishing, and the 108-acre lakes are a prime location for it. Anglers can cast for rainbow, brook and brown trout while watching a waterfall tumble into the lake. The calm waters are also inviting for canoes and kayaks. Power boats must have electric motors. Several trails offer a variety of hikes nearby, including a 4-mile trail on Mammoth Mountain and two shorter nature trails along the lakes. Families enjoy attending educational programs scheduled throughout the summer.
Facilities
This is a large facility with campsites split into two sections on either side of Twin Lakes. Sections 1 and 2 are on the west side, closer to the shore. Section 3 is set upon a hill. Picnic tables, campfire rings, flush toilets and drinking water are provided. Campers can walk to the facility's general store for boat rentals, camping supplies and showers.
Natural Features
The campground is forested with lodgepole pine, providing partial shade and a private setting. It sits at an elevation of 8,600 feet at the base of snow-capped, 11,059' Mammoth Mountain, a popular skiing destination. A cascading waterfall flows into one of the lakes. The mountains are abundant with wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Nearby Attractions
Mammoth Lakes Basin contains several additional popular lakes to explore for fishing and boating, and Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort offers year-round recreation. Visitors can also access the magnificent John Muir Wilderness nearby, which stretches 100 miles along the crest of the Sierra Nevadas, a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially-carved terrain. Abundant hiking and horseback riding trails are available.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
EXTRA VEHICLE FEES: One vehicle is included in your reservation. Any additional vehicles will be charged $10.00 per vehicle, per night and will be collected by the camp host.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsTwin Lakes Campground is located in California near Mammoth Lakes
Directions
The campground is 320 miles north of Los Angeles and 180 miles south of Reno, Nevada. Follow U.S. Highway 395 to the junction of State Highway 203. Turn west on 203 and drive 7 miles through the town of Mammoth Lakes. Highway 203 becomes Main Street, and then becomes Lake Mary Road, which leads to the Lakes Basin. Continue on Lake Mary Road to the Twin Lakes cutoff.
Coordinates
37.616109 N
119.00664 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 11 usersLast on 8/7/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/7/26- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 8/7/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 11 usersLast on 8/7/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/7/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 8/7/26
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
- Tent Cabin
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 4 hrs from Merced, CA
- 4 hrs 50 min from Fresno, CA
- 5 hrs 15 min from Visalia, CA
- 5 hrs 22 min from Hanford, CA
