Looking for a place to go glamping near Tahoe National Forest? Glamping is not only a fun alternative to traditional tent camping, but also allows you to pack more or less gear as you see fit. You're sure to find glamping for your California camping excursion.
Located near Mammoth Lakes, Crab Cooker Hot Springs is one of several hot water springs in the area that are suitable for soaking in. The pool consists of a manmade cement tub with water piped in from a mineral spring about 30 feet away. Though the water at the source is too hot to bathe in, or even to touch, the tub has been outfitted with a valve that allows for the control of hot water.
Crab cooker is located on land that is owned by the LA Department of Water and Power, which forbids camping. However, camping is permitted on nearby public land.
Mammoth Mountain RV Park offers full and partial hook-up sites, tent camping and cabins in the beautiful alpine town of Mammoth Lakes, CA. Mammoth Mountain offers an impressive 175 different campsites to choose from, including 49 full hook-up sites, 105 partial hook-up sites, 17 tent sites, 2 group tent sites, and 2 cabins. The park is ideally located near sightseeing, fishing, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, kayaking, shopping and much more!
$35 - $80 / night
Tuff Campground is situated along Rock Creek in the scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. It is convenient to Tom's Place and U.S. Highway 395. At an elevation of 7,000 ft., it is lower than many of the region's campgrounds and thus frequently one of the first campgrounds to open in the spring. Popular activities include hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing and viewing the area's volcanic rock formations. Opening and closing dates for the season are dependent on weather. The campground usually opens the last weekend in April to coincide with the first day of fishing in the Sierras.
Rock Creek and nearby Rock Creek Lake and Crawley Lake are hot spots for trout fishing. A catch from the creek may including brook, brown, rainbow and stocked Alpers trout. The area's majestic scenery and challenging trails are an obvious draw for hikers and mountain bikers.
This campground is named for the Tuff rock formations that lie in and around it. Most campsites are situated in an open sagebrush landscape, with aspens, cottonwood and Jeffrey pine trees surrounding the area. The clear, cold and cascading Rock Creek runs alongside the campsites, offering a relaxing sound for campers. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds.
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.
$28 - $32 / night
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.
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.
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.
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.
$32 / night
At an elevation of 7660 ft., this seasonal campground is set among beautiful Aspen Groves lining the banks of Mill Creek. An on-site campground host provides fee collection services for the 36 first-come, first-served camping spaces that include restrooms, non-potable water spigots, picnic benches, fire-rings, and bear boxes.
$16 / night
$27 - $32 / night
$30 - $40 / night
$31 / night
Campground is situated at 7,300 feet. 51 campsites are available. No drinking water. Portable toilets. 14 day stay limit. Each campsite is equipted with a bear locker for food storage.
$14 / night
Narrow, single lane road. Only accessible in summer. Accessible by private vehicle only if camping.
Traveler
We arrived late in the night, there is a sign with available places on the office entrance. Good restrooms. Dump Station and Hot water shower is free if you pay for Camping. Laundry is available as well. Paid for 1 night with electric and water hookup 52 $. Only Cash.
Traveler
We spent 1 night and was hoping to spend another except for an unexpected rainstorm that brought of course rain and high winds. It is a windy area as it is in a canyon, but it had settled after the sun went down, and we were able to build a beautiful campfire. Our site was very large and it might have been a group site but there was only 1 post on the site. The vault toilet was just across from the campsite. The site was quite private and had a small walkway down to the stream where you could fit maybe 4 or 5 chairs and just enjoy the endless stream. I have T-Mobile and I had absolutely NO service.
GuideStayed one night on the way to Yosemite. Nasty snow rainy day. Restrooms and showers clean. Laundry good. Park needs some TLC. Unlevel sites. Cable had terrible connection. Wifi very weak.
Legend
Still 4 stars, more accurately 3.5 stars. We were under the trees this time instead of on the asphalt parking lot slab. All dirt, dirt back in site, dirt camp site accessed by a dirt road. Expect lots of dust. Bring all your campsite mats, you will need it. We backed in pretty deep to the site as not to run into our neighbor, My long shore cord had to be stretched to get to the power box. The water and sewer fine. Why these boxes are so far back almost into the next site is puzzling. Upon leaving, the access road is totally blocked by vehicles lined up for the dump station. If you want to avoid this, leave early. Not really sure if there will be a third visit.
Ranger
We stayed here 4 nights in June 2024 and loved it. The campground is the last of the ones along Poole Power Plant Rd and is the best. There are about 16 sites. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and had the pick of the campground. We stayed in site 3, which is right on Lee Vining Creek. There’s a fire ring, table, and bear locker. Bears are active there and one camp through the campground late on one of the nights we were there. The camp host, Cary, is the best camp host ever. He knows so much about the area, its history, great hikes and things to see, etc., and he’s a pleasure to chat with. The campground was so quiet and peaceful. We will definitely be going back.
Traveler
We didn’t want to take our camper and trailer combo down the side road to the hot springs but it was only a short bike ride. We camped in a wide spot on the road, but only 2 cars went by. It was late March and we woke up to snow. There are many nooks to camp in, but some of the side roads are narrow and rutted.
Traveler
$40 for site with power and water, $35 without. $10 hot spring/pool entry per a person for camping guests. $2 per a person for 6 minute showers. Depending on how bad you need a shower there are showers in the pool area for a quick rinse before and after using the pool so you can save your $2. I would recommend the pools, they are awesome. Camp sites are pretty close together but all places seem to be around here.
ScoutWe camped there in our motorhome for 5 nights in the upper section. Not as "Camping" as the lower section but still very nice. We loved that we had access to most of the eastern Sierras and to the Mammoth area itself. Great E Bike riding area
Scout
I have gone here twice in less than 3 weeks and I absolutely enjoy this place. the people working there were very nice and always helpful.
the lake is so amazing. the surrounding area is truly amazing to see.
this should be on your list of one of the places to go to.
GuideBy far the nicest of the campsites up Poole Power Plant
Road. Lovely setting. No cell signal. Closed in October.
TravelerWas able to easily find this spot using directions from this app. We came on Labor Day weekend, Sunday and easily found a spot. It was right off the main road so not the best spot but it was perfect for the night. The hot spring was awesome and so many stars at night!
TravelerThere is no space between tent sites and no dividing trees or bushes. Bathroom and showers are clean.
Scout
The campground is clean and the camp host is helpful. There is water available. The fee is now $32
Traveler
This campground is definitely worth a visit! Beautiful area, well kept sites and lovely hiking trails. Lots of outdoor recreation available for rent as well.
TravelerGot site 37 right on the creek. Excellent campground with decent bathrooms. Picnic tables are showing their age but functional.
Ranger
Peaceful, lots of trees and wildlife (watch out for bears). Clean, nice tables and fire pits. Great place to hang out before or after Yosemite. Be sure to check with CalTrans on highway 120 road conditions before planning to cross Tioga Pass, it still had more than 20' of snow in places when I was there in June.
Several of the campsites were closed due to danger of rising water from the Lee Vining Creek, lots of water and snow melt to deal with.
Friendly host!
LegendLarge enough sites. I have tried a year in advance for full hook ups. Only Water and Electrical again this year. As you can see, the sites are parking lot like. All asphalt.
Some area are sparse with trees, so you will get lots of direct light in these sections. Staff was pretty accommodating. Will be returning this August.
GuideGreat place in mono lake first come first served no reservation only $16 per night
GuideWe left Lake Tahoe early because of the smoke, and headed out to find something more remote and quiet. This little campground is tucked up on the mountain. Very quiet. Very beautiful. Bear bins at each site. Use them. Pretty sure we heard a bear in the night messing around with the firepit grate.
ScoutDecided to take a last minute trip to Mammoth Mountain to test a few new pieces of camping gear out. Campground was probably 75% full with mostly RV's and trailers. Campground was clean and hosts were polite/friendly. Keep you food in the bear lockers, they have daily visitors late in the evening and throughout the night. Had a good view of the falls from the campsite. Good times!
TravelerDecided to camp out for a couple days after work, didn’t get there til 3am and apparently missed a huge rainstorm by a couple hours. 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. Woke up to the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen in my life. The moon was bright but still being able to sit back and watch the stars in a hot spring in the middle of the night was unreal. Not to mention the friendly cows who came to say hello and decided to hang out.
ScoutI visit this site on a yearly basis. I have never had an experience that was unpleasant and or me dreading the trip back home. It is absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. I can’t wait for this years trip.
TravelerGreat location but very pricey
Guide
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. There’s a creek ( lower rock creek) that runs through the campground. Some people were fishing and we took a small hike on the rock formals east of the creek. It was quiet however it’s near the highway so you do hear the occasional traffic that runs up the 395. The camp host seemed nice but I didn’t really talk to him much. They do have pit toilets but we’re really clean.
ScoutBeen camping here for years, very nice and really clean. Nice family owned rv park and tent camping. Make sure if you come since it’s right next to the mountains be prepared for wind and rain, but usually passes pretty quick. About a two hour drive into Yosemite valley and only like 20 mins from Yosemite east entrance.
RangerLots of spaces, not too close to each other. Was quiet while we were there. No showers, just portable potty. Don’t know if it’s normal but it was 30° when we woke up in the middle of June. Only took us 15 minutes to get to the National Park.
GuideI really enjoyed tent camping here. I’m not a fan of the trailer camping because it’s all cement and everyone is close together, but it’s doable if need be. When tent camping, you’re under beautiful trees which I love!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Tahoe National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Tahoe National Forest is Crab Cooker Hotsprings - Dispersed Camping with a 4.5-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Tahoe National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 glamping camping locations near Tahoe National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
