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Several camping areas surround Tom's Place in California's Eastern Sierra, with June Lake Campground sitting 26 miles away where campers can find good-sized sites near the quiet waters of June Lake. East Fork Campground is much closer, just 6 miles from Tom's Place, and has clean facilities with easy access to Inyo National Forest. Both places come with the basics - picnic tables and fire pits that make camping comfortable. Some sites give you more privacy than others, depending on where you set up. Trees throughout both campgrounds provide decent shade for most sites. Since wildlife is common in this area, you'll need to store your food properly to keep bears away. It's smart to book ahead, particularly in summer when these campgrounds fill up quickly. Spring and fall are the best times to visit when the weather is mild and the landscape looks great. Pack warm clothes for nighttime since temperatures drop significantly at this elevation, even during summer months. If you like fishing, head to Convict Lake near Tom's Place for some good rainbow trout fishing. There are many hiking trails in the area with views of mountains and lakes. Tom's Place works well as a starting point for trips in the Eastern Sierra, whether you're staying for a weekend or longer.
"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."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Near Toms Place, Hwy 395, Bishop, Mammoth, Rock Creek Lake and Mosquito Flats trailhead. Sites along Rock Creek. Sites numbered in the 100’s closest to the creek."
"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."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Visited the Hot Springs in late October and was pleasantly surprised with the location, warm in the daytime and cool at night. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and views."
"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."
"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."
from $33 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $35 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Nice walking trail right outside the campground. Not much privacy, but spots are nicely spaced."
"There is Pleasant Valley Campground, and if you cross the street and drive a little bit in you can get to Pleasant Valley Pit. This place has no shade, no trees, but amazing view of the Sierras."
from $14 - $108 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $33 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Every August my family and friends meet at Sherwin Creek Campground around the time of the Perseids meteor shower."
"This campground is just outside the main part of Mammoth Lakes, CA. You have to go on a paved then gravel road to get there."
from $32 / night
Check Availability"Access to trails. Wonderful views. Sites are spaced apart to where it feels like you’re the only one in the area."
"We wanted something near Bishop. Hardly anyone around, but other vans helped us know we were in the right place. A bit windy and cold though!"
GuideI camped here in 2024 and it was a good location, apart from several off-road vehicles driving nearby especially on weekends. However this summer it's blocked off, with signs saying there's logging in process. Last tried to camp there 11 July and still no access.
GuideMost of the sites offer some level of privacy and separation from others via groves of Aspen. The sound of adjacent Mill Creek is hypnotizing. Great hikes begin at the end of Lundy Lake just up the road. Some spectacular waterfalls and wildflowers surrounded by steep canyon walls. Makes you feel small… Would definitely return.
TravelerWe tried to camp here but after getting set up the bees descended upon us. They didn't seem aggressive but were bothersome enough that we decided to go to another spot off highway 120 a few miles west. Spots were flat, spacious, and well spaced. Nice view of the lake through the pines. There are two roads from 120 to this site. The eastern road is 4WD only, soft sand and gravel surface. The western road is drivable by pretty much anything.
TravelerSeveral spots available along the forest service road, even arriving after 7pm. Some spots are spacious, others only fit something small like a camper van (what we got). Came here after our first attempted location farther east on highway 120 ended up having A LOT of bees and flies. Location is up on a little ridge that offers views of the lake to the north and mountains to the south. Great for a one night pit stop. Probably gets really windy on some evenings, and there is nothing around for wind protection.
ScoutGreat location in Bishop California. Very secluded area and beautiful sunset… Port-o-Johns were very clean. We were passing through Bishop California and needed a spot that was fairly close to the main road, and there wasn’t very busy.
GuideOne gorgeous site after the other, some rv accessible, some up the hills def not.
You have to get there early and, ideally, during the week if you want the best spots.
Lots of wildlife sightings and it is so quiet.
ScoutAlthough this campground is located in the midst of so much dramatic beauty, few campgrounds capture that beauty like this one. While sitting in your campsite, you can see majestic mountains and a very quiet. It is located across from horse stables if you like that and near a little store. Fishing appears to be the popular activity here although we are not fisher persons. It is a great base camp to all of the June Lake and Mammoth region
GuideJune lake is gorgeous and the town is a true mountain town. It is much quieter than mammoth, and everything is much easier to access. This campground is within walking distance of everything you need. Boat rentals, fishing, hiking trails, general store, brewery, ice cream shop, and great cycling routes. Customer service was absolutely top notch, some of the friendliest camp hosts we’ve ever come across. Everyone we interacted with was so friendly and helpful, made the experience even better. The campground itself is pretty lackluster, kind of felt like parking in a field. We were very close to our neighbors, spots are tight, and no great views.
LegendGeneral: 88-site Forest Service campground. Only the host/manager site has hookups. Site Quality: All driveways are paved; some are longer than others. Each site has a tent pad, picnic table, bear box, and fire pit. Some are very close to each other (75& 76, 85& 86) while others have more space between them. No hookups. Two best sites IMO are#2 and#88
Bath/Shower: Vault toilets only, but across the street at the resort, there are flush toilets, showers (need tokens;$3 for 3 minutes,$5 for 6), and laundry ($6.50 per load, wash and dry, but the washers are SMALL)
Activities: Easy direct access to Convict Lake. Hike around the lake is three miles. In season, there is a boat launch, and you can rent pontoon boats and kayaks. Fishing is big here. At the resort, there is also a food truck that serves breakfast and lunch, and an upscale but casual restaurant, and the food is very good.
Camping opportunities near Toms Place, California extend beyond established campgrounds into dispersed areas along the eastern Sierra. The region sits at elevations between 7,000-8,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between day and night year-round. Winter access becomes limited at many sites from October through April due to snow accumulation and seasonal closures.
Fishing at local creeks: East Fork Campground provides access to Rock Creek where anglers find success. "Near Toms Place, Hwy 395, Bishop, Mammoth, Rock Creek Lake and Mosquito Flats trailhead. Sites along Rock Creek. Sites numbered in the 100's closest to the creek," notes Randall G. at East Fork Campground.
Hot springs exploration: Several natural hot springs exist within driving distance of camping areas. At Crab Cooker Hotsprings, campers report varying temperatures throughout the year. "The crab cooker hot spring was a little confusing to find. Once you find it... it's TINY. 3 people comfortably. And HOT HOT HOTTTT!" explains Rachel W.
Creek hiking and rock scrambling: Several campgrounds offer immediate access to small hikes. "Right by the creek with nice trails along it and if you're brave a little rock scrambling you can go upward," explains Marcia M. about Tuff Campground.
Creekside camping spots: Many campers prefer sites situated alongside flowing water. At Tuff Campground, visitors appreciate the natural water features: "This is a great little campground located about 200 yards from Route 395. It's located in a small ravine so you don't hear any traffic noise... The best feature of the park is the little stream that runs thru it," reports Berton M.
Clean facilities at higher elevations: Campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept restrooms despite remote locations. "East Fork Campground is an awesome spot with a lot of campsites. The bathrooms are very clean and probably the nicest I've seen in California (in the Eastern Sierra)," says Zack R.
Winter camping options: Some sites remain accessible during colder months. "Went at the end of October with some snow! The lake is gorgeous when you can see the snow. Highly recommended for a late season trip. Bundle up though!!" advises Jill F. about Convict Lake Campground.
Wildlife awareness: Bears frequent camping areas near Toms Place. "I did notice some Bear Scat in our campground after a long day of hiking, but we hadn't left food out so everything was left untouched," reports Zack R. about East Fork Campground.
Early season weather variability: Spring camping brings unpredictable conditions. "We camped early in the season for opening weekend for Fishmas. Hot showers, heated pool and spa," notes Erin M. about alternative options at Mammoth Mountain RV Park & Campground when higher elevations remain too cold.
Site selection strategy: Not all sites offer equal privacy or shade coverage. At Sherwin Creek, a camper advises: "Stayed on lot 51. Sunny until around 4, then quite shaded. Large lot with space for the dog to roam around on. Only one side has a neighbor, so it's quite quiet."
Insect preparation: Lower elevation sites near water sources experience significant insect activity. "There were a lot of bugs, so bring extra bug spray," advises Zack R.
Creek access for children: Several campsites offer safe water play areas. "We set up our tents with a view of the hot springs. The hot spring was kind of broken when we were there so that was a bummer, but you could hike out to the slightly muddy creek for some hot water," shares Alyssa L. about dispersed camping options.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Families can observe local animals from safe distances. At Browns Owens River Campground, "free ranging cattle" sometimes visit: "First night they were on the opposite bank, lots of mooing in the early AM. But the next night, a calf got separated from the herd across the river and they were noisy and agitated and in our campsite."
Varied terrain exploration: Multiple elevation options allow families to adjust camping conditions based on weather. "We intended to stay here, but most of the sites have zero shade and no trees. There are a few along the creek but they were all occupied," warns Deb H. about East Fork, highlighting the importance of timing arrival for better site selection.
Accessibility limitations: RV drivers should research road conditions carefully. At McGee Creek Campground, "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," shares Cindy L.
Dump station timing: Plan departure logistics carefully at busier sites. "Upon leaving, the access road is totally blocked by vehicles lined up for the dump station. If you want to avoid this, leave early," advises Patrick J.
Generator restrictions: Most forest service sites have strict noise limitations. "Generator hours till 10pm but thankfully only hear sounds of nature at 7pm," notes Leonard H. about Convict Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available at Toms Place?
Toms Place offers several camping options in the surrounding area. East Fork Campground is located near Toms Place along Highway 395, providing sites along Rock Creek with the 100-series sites positioned closest to the water. For those seeking alternatives, French Camp Campground is nearby and serves as a convenient base for exploring Rock Creek and Mammoth areas. The Rock Creek area features numerous small campgrounds with varying elevations and seasonal availability. Lower elevation sites like French Camp tend to stay open longer throughout the year, while higher elevation options offer cooler temperatures during summer months.
Where is Toms Place Campground located in California?
Toms Place is located in the Eastern Sierra region of California along Highway 395, positioned between Bishop and Mammoth Lakes. The area serves as a gateway to several popular outdoor destinations. Pine Grove Campground and other camping options are situated along Rock Creek Road, which branches off Highway 395 at Toms Place. This location provides convenient access to Rock Creek Lake and the Mosquito Flats trailhead. Convict Lake Campground, another nearby option, is just a short drive from the highway and Mammoth Airport, making Toms Place an excellent base for exploring the Eastern Sierra Mountains.
How much does it cost to camp at Toms Place?
Camping costs near Toms Place vary by campground and amenities. Brown's Millpond Campground offers spaces for travel trailers and motor homes with options for electricity and water hookups at different price points, as well as more affordable tent camping spaces. For those seeking budget-friendly options, Upper Billy Creek Campground provides a more rustic experience with typically lower fees. Most campgrounds in the Toms Place area require payment through self-registration stations. Prices generally range from approximately $20-25 per night for basic sites to $30-40 for sites with hookups, though rates may change seasonally or annually.
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