Best Campgrounds near Benton, CA

Short drives from Benton, California lead to multiple camping options, including the fishing-friendly Convict Lake Campground with its mountain backdrop. Grandview Campground stays quieter and puts you close to good hiking trails in the area. If you need modern facilities, East Fork Campground has flush toilets and drinking water. The campsites vary in how secluded they feel, with some more private than others. June Lake Campground has plenty of trees that block the sun, which helps during hot days. Remember that bears live throughout this region, so store your food properly. You'll likely see deer and various birds while staying at any of these campgrounds. White Mountain Peak and the town of Bishop are worth visiting when you're not at camp. Convict Lake is known for good rainbow trout fishing among locals. Hikers tend to like Grandview because of trails that lead to great views. You can reach all these campgrounds on paved roads, making them work for both tents and RVs. Summer gets hot here, so bring hats and sunscreen. Some people camp during winter, though snow can limit which campgrounds stay open. Most sites come with a picnic table and fire ring for cooking and hanging out. The Benton area has campgrounds that fit different camping styles, whether you're staying for a weekend or longer.

Best Camping Sites Near Benton, California (209)

    1. the Inn at Benton Hot Springs

    2 Reviews
    Benton, CA
    3 miles

    "It is in the historic town of Benton hot springs and is adjacent to the Inn."

    "Be prepared for quick changes in weather and mosquitoes as this is near water! Will absolutely be back! Super neat to walk back in time at this historic tiny town!"

    2. Browns Owens River Campground

    9 Reviews
    Inyo National Forest, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 920-0975

    $33 / night

    "As I walked in to the head office, that situated in the entry of the camping grounds. I Lady greeted me with the biggest smile. I paid $36 for the cover. I got to choose wherever I wanted to camp."

    "If you enjoy beautiful views, a campsite near the Owens river and fishing then this will be a paradise for you."

    3. Crab Cooker Hotsprings - Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Inyo National Forest, CA
    20 miles
    Website

    "Views on the other are rolling fields / foothills with lots of cutie vocal Moo Moos and Alkali Lake! You can see other hot springs in the distance. No shade. Lots of flies and red ants."

    "Needless to say we had the hot springs to ourselves the majority of the trip, parking at the edge of the dirt road with only one other car in sight , which I was told was super lucky."

    4. Convict Lake Campground

    18 Reviews
    Mammoth Lakes, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 924-5771

    $35 / night

    "It’s just a short drive from the highway and Mammoth Airport. The campground is very popular with a mix of reserved and non reserved sites."

    "We recently stayed for 3 nights in July at convict lake. The lake is gorgeous and offers fishing, no wake boating sports, mountain biking and hiking trails."

    5. Wild Willy’s Hot Springs

    5 Reviews
    Inyo National Forest, CA
    18 miles
    Website

    "Arguably the most popular hot springs in the Mammoth and Lake Crowley area, this BLM managed area sees a lot of traffic, but is well worth a visit!"

    "Quarter mile walk to the springs. Two different pools and very warm and clean! You can camp whenever you like. Pack trash in and out. They had a little out house too."

    6. Tuff Campground

    6 Reviews
    Toms Place, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 935-4026

    $33 / night

    "Lots of greens surrounding the area. Good for groups.. if you get neighboring sites. all campers around here were very respectful."

    "In a little gorge type area so it blocks some of the wind and right next to a creek which sometimes has small trout and hiking trails."

    7. Mammoth Mountain RV Park & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Mammoth Lakes, CA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 934-3822

    $35 - $80 / night

    "Walking distance to town. Great walking paths. Choose to camp under the shade of the pines on a dirt pad or in the clean, parking lot style section.

    This place never lets us down."

    "This was during the California wildfires. I would recommend this RV park/campground they have ample space for both. Every site has a bear box."

    8. French Camp Campground

    6 Reviews
    Toms Place, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 935-4825

    $35 / night

    "Very nice campsite with around 70 sites and three ranger campsites so plenty of help. Went on a rainy day but there was plenty of tree cover and we stayed in our tent briefly."

    "Awesome fishing up the road at Rock Creek Lake"

    9. Inyo National Forest Dispersed Camping

    13 Reviews
    June Lake, CA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 873-2400

    "Great access to mount Whitney trails and close to lone pine in case you gotta restock."

    "We kept driving father down multiple dirt roads and eventually found a big open area where we set up camp. This spot was very sandy and we would've been stuck without 4wd."

    10. East Fork Campground – Inyo National Forest (CA)

    13 Reviews
    Swall Meadows, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 935-4825

    $35 / night

    "The bathrooms are very clean and probably the nicest I've seen in California (in the Eastern Sierra). Our site was a short walk to the river and it was very quiet."

    "It was neatly tucked away and was very peaceful."

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Recent Reviews near Benton, CA

847 Reviews of 209 Benton Campgrounds


  • April B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Glass Creek

    Crabby Host

    The campground itself is very nice and clean.

    The host basically demanded that we pay the ten dollar donation (which we had planned to do), so it's not a free place to camp. Then he complained because we were in a double site. There wasn't any indication that it was a double site, and the campground was basically empty, so we weren't keeping anyone from the site. We gladly would have moved if someone wanted it!

  • Laura The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Mill Creek National Forest

    Beautiful and quiet spot close to Mono Lake

    Not gonna lie, I was skeptical at first. GPS took me to the wrong (dirt) road, it was getting dark and stormy... Eventually stormed passed and I got a clear moonlight and could hear the gurgle of the river a few meters away. Best reward was in the morning... Wow! ♥️ A nice spot for those just leaving Yosemite or about to go into it.

    The road is not great, drive slowly

    PS: I found a tote bag (see pic) where I was, if it's yours hit me up!!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Big Trees Campground

    Secluded clean

    Worth the road in,paved roads narrow in spots plenty of pull outs to let people by , on the creek camping clean and flat rv sights can handle big rigs

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Virginia Lake Rd. Boondocking

    Amazing Open Campground In The Forest

    We loved camping here. There were great campsites with bear lockers along a really nice little creek. Fantastic location for dogs. Lots of space to walk the dogs. Campground is quiet. No cell service but our Starlink worked great.

  • Sandie F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    McGee Creek

    Good spot but crowded

    Seemed like everyone came to tuck into this spot and I got here very late so it was not fun. Beautiful spot with beautiful views

  • Rhonda S.
    Sep. 26, 2025

    French Camp Campground

    Great natural area

    Very weather dependent area. Nice breeze and most sites have full sun. Sites are paved, no hook ups at all, you can use a generator in 2 of the 3 loops. Bath houses are just cold water but clean.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site

    Awesome site

    Hung iut here for a few weeks. Awesome views. Quiet with only occasional road noise. Conveniences (gas, groceries, dump station, restaurant, etc.) within 10 miles. Excellent Verizon signal (for data).

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Mono Lake South Dispersed

    Magical place!

    Easy to drive in but don’t pass that sign that says “4 wheeled only” with an RV. We have a 24ft and had a perfectly leveled spot underneath a large tree. You can see the lake from there. We took a bicycle ride in to the “south Tufa” which is only 2 miles away. Watched the sunset there, magical!

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Virginia Lake Rd. Boondocking

    So beautiful

    It was just so nice, I don’t know if it was dispersed camping cause the location takes you to Virginia creek and there is a long road with lots of space like it’s a legit campground but no one there to check and no signs that you had to pay. I went there on Labor Day weekend so it was busy everywhere, this place had a ton of spots open though. No one bothered us. Each spot had a bear food containers and access to a little creek. So you heard water running while you go to sleep. Loved it so much so peaceful.


Guide to Benton

The Benton, California area sits in the eastern Sierra at approximately 5,400 feet elevation where desert landscape meets mountain terrain. Nights remain cool even in summer months, with temperatures often dropping 30-40 degrees from daytime highs. The region features natural hot springs, high desert terrain, and volcanic formations that create distinct camping opportunities compared to higher mountain areas nearby.

What to do

Hot spring soaking: The Inn at Benton Hot Springs offers private hot tubs at each campsite. "This campground is a hidden gem. It is in the historic town of Benton hot springs and is adjacent to the Inn. There is a hot spring creek that runs through the campground and each of the 15 campsites have a personal hot tub filled with circulating water from the hot spring," notes camper Alivia M.

Geological exploration: Visit Hot Creek Geological Site approximately 20 minutes from Browns Owens River Campground. "Conveniently located next to hot springs, Hot Creek Geological Site, lakes, and ~15 minutes from downtown Mammoth," according to Kurt O. The colorful mineral deposits and steaming vents provide educational viewing opportunities.

Off-road adventures: The numerous forest service roads throughout the region permit extensive off-road exploration. "If you have off-road toys and/or love to fish you will be at home. The trials just go on forever," writes James at Browns Owens River Campground.

Creek wading: Many campgrounds feature accessible creeks for cooling off. At French Camp, "Small creek runs through the campground on the far side," as Grant W. mentions. These shallow water features work well for children who want to splash around without the dangers of deeper lakes.

What campers like

Stargazing opportunities: Wild Willy's Hot Springs provides exceptional night sky viewing. "Good for stargazing," notes Kurt O. The lack of light pollution and open terrain create optimal conditions for viewing constellations and meteor showers.

Wildlife encounters: Seeing native animals ranks high on camper satisfaction. "We met all kinds of people in different springs while camping. It was great fun," says Daniel S. about dispersed camping in Inyo National Forest. Many campers report seeing cows grazing nearby, creating unique photo opportunities.

Secluded camping spots: Inyo National Forest Dispersed Camping provides true isolation. "We were near where the coordinates take you and we didn't see another person the entire time we were here! We saw a few fellow campers on our way in but felt really secluded when we found our spot," explains Kylee M.

Morning mountain views: Sunrise creates spectacular lighting conditions on the surrounding peaks. "The sunrise was absolutely stunning!" says Amanda about Crab Cooker Hotsprings. Many sites face east, providing optimal sunrise viewing directly from your tent or RV.

What you should know

Road conditions vary widely: Many dispersed camping areas require careful navigation. "4x4 or high clearance coming in. Long dirt road with dips and rocks," warns Thomas K. about Crab Cooker Hotsprings.

Weather changes rapidly: Mountain locations experience sudden temperature swings. "Be prepared for quick changes in weather and mosquitoes as this is near water!" cautions Sarah E. at The Inn at Benton Hot Springs. Summer thunderstorms commonly develop in afternoons.

Generators have time restrictions: Most campgrounds limit generator usage. "Generator can be ran 2 hours 8-10 pm and 5-7 pm!" notes Sarah E. This ensures quiet mornings and evenings for all campers.

Store availability: Limited shopping exists in this remote region. "Must bring everything you need, there are no stores or food about an hour away!" warns Sarah E. about The Inn at Benton Hot Springs. Stock supplies in Bishop or Mammoth before arrival.

Tips for camping with families

Select sites with creek access: Children enjoy water play opportunities. At French Camp Campground, "Small creek runs through the campground on the far side. Flush toilets," notes Grant W., providing both entertainment and convenience for families.

Check campground amenities: East Fork Campground offers better facilities than most. "Bathroom facilities offer flush toilets and running water, a very nice surprise," according to K B. These upgraded facilities reduce stress for families with young children.

Consider off-peak timing: Weekdays offer quieter experiences. "We camped here for 10 days in late June - early July, basically the peak camping window in the Sierras and the campground was only full on July 3 & 4. Otherwise it was about 1/2 full," reports K B. about East Fork Campground.

Look for bear boxes: Storage units protect food and reduce wildlife concerns. "All sites have a sturdy old-school picnic table, and large bear box," notes K B. This reduces the need for frequent food storage in vehicles.

Tips from RVers

Check site dimensions carefully: Mammoth Mountain RV Park has varied site types. "Spots large enough for almost all size rigs. Tents too. Choose to camp under the shade of the pines on a dirt pad or in the clean, parking lot style section," advises Jessica L.

Arrive early for dump station access: Morning departures avoid backups. "Upon leaving, the access road is totally blocked by vehicles lined up for the dump station. If you want to avoid this, leave early," recommends Patrick J. at Mammoth Mountain RV Park.

Consider dry camping options: Browns Owens River Campground offers affordable alternatives. "This is what dry camping is about. Fishing stream right in back of the RV. Incredible views," shares Patrick J. These sites typically cost less than full hookup options.

Check road clearance limitations: Access roads often present challenges. "It would be hard to access with anything thing over 22ft," cautions Thomas K. about Crab Cooker Hotsprings. Many of the best places to camp near Benton require navigating unpaved roads.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Benton Hot Springs Camping?

The Inn at Benton Hot Springs offers 15 unique campsites, each featuring a personal hot tub filled with naturally circulating mineral water from the hot springs. A hot spring creek runs through the property, enhancing the camping experience. The campground is adjacent to the historic Inn, providing a blend of rustic camping with luxury hot spring access. Sites are spacious and well-maintained. For those seeking a similar hot springs experience in the region, Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs offers a comfortable two-stage hot spring lake with no sulfur odor, where you can spot wildlife like coots and small fish.

How far is Convict Lake Campground from Benton?

Convict Lake Campground, a popular destination in the Eastern Sierra Mountains, is approximately 38 miles southwest of Benton. The drive typically takes about 45 minutes via US-6 S and US-395 S. This campground offers a mix of reserved and first-come, first-served sites in a stunning location near Mammoth Lakes. For those looking for alternatives closer to Benton, Old Shady Rest Campground is located in Mammoth Lakes, about 35 miles from Benton, offering easy access to town amenities while maintaining a peaceful forest setting.

Where is Benton Hot Springs Campground located in California?

The Inn at Benton Hot Springs is located in the historic town of Benton in Mono County, California. This hidden gem sits in the eastern Sierra region, approximately 40 miles north of Bishop and about 50 miles south of Mammoth Lakes. The area is situated at the edge of the Great Basin, characterized by its desert landscape with spectacular mountain views. Benton is positioned along Highway 120, making it accessible for travelers exploring the Eastern Sierra region or those traveling between Yosemite and Nevada.