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."

    "Really enjoyed this campsite, it’s near rock creek lake, Crowley lake and mammoth. I stayed in site # 27 which was in the back corner."

    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. 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."

    9. 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."

    10. June Lake Campground

    26 Reviews
    June Lake, CA
    32 miles
    Website

    $32 / night

    "We really enjoyed June Lake Campground! Stayed there for one night on our way out of Yosemite. The drive around the lake is beautiful and there are multiple camping areas."

    "We were really tucked away from neighbors and were very close to the lake and bathrooms. We went in August and it was perfect weather, warm days and cool nights."

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Recent Reviews near Benton, CA

841 Reviews of 209 Benton Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • Soggy Bottoms Camper G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lake George Campground

    Love Lake George!

    Lake George was the perfect camp spot for our 4 night stay. It is first come first serve. We stayed in site 14 - the mountain side or tree side is better because it’s not windy at all! All the spots with lake view are very windy and it can be cold even in the summer! The bathrooms are super clean and have real toilets. No showers though! There is lots to do in the area and Lake George isn’t nearly as busy as Lake Mary/ Pine City camp. Although there is day use areas and it can be busy with fishing. Lots of wildlife in the area, so use the Bear box and keep food in containers. Even the chipmunks, birds, and mice will get into your stuff. I saw chipmunks trying to break into tents. This site is small RV/Trailer friendly - we stayed in our truck camper. This is NOT for big rigs or class A RVs. Also no hookups but they have a water spyket. Beware of elevation if you are not used to it - it’s at a whopping 9,250 feet and I was sick for 2 days. It’s $34 a night and quiet hours are 10pm-6am. Generators are aloud just not during quiet hours. Bring your paddle board or kayak and hit the water! It’s so beautiful here.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Mono Lake South Dispersed

    Remote, dispersed campsite offers solitude, lake views, and wildlife.

    I spent a week here, making it worthwhile to unload the electric pop-up camper (w/ electric jacks) from my truck.  My canopy @rear (facing west) was very welcome, as the dead scrub offers absolutely NO shade.  It was charred from a recent burn, making for excellent campfires!  The cab-over cantilever @front (facing east) also gave shade in the late afternoon heat!  I brought two additional tanks of water, allowing for refreshing showers in this arid desert environment.  

    From Navy Beach Rd, I drove 3/4 miles east on FS-1N54, until I crossed into Inyo NF territory, @ a juncture.  After another 1/2 mile on E Shore Rd, I found a clearing suitable for my camper, @1/2 mile from the shore.  In another 3 miles, there is a very nice cul-de-sac turn-around, which, @50' x 100', looks large enough to accommodate a half-dozen vehicles.  In another 5 miles, you cross from USFS into a local tract of land.  While BLM territory surrounds the entire lake, it is more than 1 mile away from shore.  Beware of very soft sand I encountered beyond my campsite.  Some sections were like 'quicksand', forcing me to air-down to 15 PSI.  It challenged my 'Limited Slip' Tundra, so an AWD car could get in serious trouble.  The only people I saw were in two jeeps that passed-by my camp, backtracking out 1/2 hour later.  From my bed, I heard (but did not see - new moon) several animal visitors.  They only come out at night...  

    In spite of the seclusion, my camp was actually quite close to main roads, so I spent a lot of time out sight-seeing.  I was also close enough to Navy Beach to launch my kayak @sunrise, when the water is dead-calm.  Ocean-type squalls can flare up with no warning, because of the wide-open desert terrain.  I got a permit to camp on Phoe Island from a Ranger @Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center.  However, after he showed me photos of squalls & told of numerous drowned kayakers, I thought better of it...

  • J
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Rock Tub Hot Springs

    Cattle

    Cattle have been in the springs, fresh cow pies all over. They have trampled the pipe that fills the rock tub. Don’t camp here expecting a hot springs.

  • J
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Hot Creek Dispersed

    Near hot spring, secluded

    Great location near all the hot springs but private enough. Only small group would fit here. I would not bring a trailer not this road, no real turn around point. Road to get here is short and easy. Great views into Hot Creek. You can walk to Sheep hot spring from here. Amazing views to wake up to. Some left several rolls of carpet and padding here :( otherwise pretty clean.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    the Inn at Benton Hot Springs

    Relaxing Hot Tubs

    This place is beautiful and yes a hidden gem! Very quiet and peaceful! Must bring everything you need, there are no stores or food about an hour away! Generator can be ran 2 hours 8-10 pm and 5-7 pm! 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!


Guide to Benton

Camping near Benton, California, offers a mix of stunning scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different preferences.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing at Convict Lake Campground. One reviewer said, "Fantastic fishing. The fall colors were outstanding," highlighting the lake's beauty and the fishing opportunities.
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Grandview Campground. A visitor mentioned, "The skies at night are amazing! Not too far from main trails of the White Pine Bristlecone forest," making it a great spot for hiking enthusiasts.
  • Boating: At Silver Lake Campground at June Lake, you can rent boats and enjoy the water. One camper noted, "The campground was nice, the spaces were separated, we tent camped," which adds to the overall experience.

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at June Lake Campground. A review states, "Spectacular views from the right spot," making it a favorite for those who love nature.
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peacefulness at Grandview Campground. One visitor shared, "It was so quiet and folks in other spots were quiet as well," perfect for those looking to escape the noise.
  • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and well-maintained sites are a hit at Coldwater Campground. A camper mentioned, "The bathrooms were the best I’ve seen camping before," which is always a plus.

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like East Fork Campground, have minimal amenities. A reviewer noted, "Most sites seemed pretty uneven so come prepared," so be ready for a more rustic experience.
  • Wildlife Caution: At Convict Lake Campground, it's important to use bear boxes. One camper warned, "USE. THE. BEAR BOXES. Our neighbors lost a jar of peanut butter," emphasizing the need for caution with food.
  • Booking in Advance: Popular spots like Silver Lake Campground at June Lake can fill up quickly. A visitor advised, "Although we had to book pretty far in advance this place was awesome!" so plan ahead.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Sherwin Creek. One family said, "Very nice sites with dense forest. Lots of shade and hammock trees," making it great for kids to play.
  • Activities for Kids: Choose locations near lakes or rivers, such as Mammoth Mountain RV Park & Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "Great E Bike riding area," which can keep the little ones entertained.
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids, especially around water. A camper at Coldwater Campground noted, "The campground has nice access to hiking trails," so be sure to explore together.

Tips from RVers:

  • Road Conditions: Be aware of the road conditions when heading to places like Grandview Campground. One RVer mentioned, "The road up is winding and narrow and steep, but all paved and doable in an RV."
  • Space Management: At Mammoth Mountain RV Park & Campground, some sites can feel cramped. A visitor said, "Expect lots of dust," so be prepared for close quarters.
  • Amenities Check: Make sure to check what amenities are available. A camper at Sherwin Creek noted, "Clean vault toilets," which is a plus for RVers looking for basic facilities.

Camping near Benton, CA, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

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.