Camping near Toms Place takes place at a high elevation between 7,000-9,000 feet, making nights cool even in summer months when temperatures typically range from 40-75°F. The camping season generally runs from late April through October, with many campgrounds closing due to significant snowfall during winter months. Roads in this area follow ancient volcanic formations, with most campsites positioned within the Inyo National Forest boundary.
What to do
Fishing at Convict Lake: Fish for trout at this easily accessible lake about 15 minutes from Toms Place. "The lake is gorgeous and offers fishing, no wake boating sports, mountain biking and hiking trails. The campground is walking distance to the lake, but does not have lake front sites," notes camper Alivia M. about Convict Lake Campground.
Explore hot springs: Several natural hot springs exist within 30 minutes of Toms Place. "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," explains camper Cindy L. about her experience near Crab Cooker Hotsprings.
Rock climbing access: The volcanic tableland north of Bishop provides unique climbing opportunities. "Sad Boulders is a rock climber's playground. There are petroglyphs to be found on some of the boulders in the area," explains Laura M. about the area around the dispersed camping at Volcanic Tableland BLM.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Many sites feature direct creek access for cooling off. "Tuffs 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," explains Berton M. about Tuff Campground.
Bathroom facilities: Some campgrounds offer better bathroom facilities than others. "Bathroom facilities offer flush toilets and running water, a very nice surprise," K B. shares about East Fork Campground.
Night sky viewing: The high elevation and limited light pollution create excellent stargazing conditions. "We walked in and was able to find a campground during a holiday weekend. The camp host was friendly would come by and notify us if there were any bear sightings nearby," notes Jimmy B. about Sherwin Creek Campground, which offers secluded spots perfect for night sky observation.
What you should know
Bear activity: Bears frequently visit campgrounds in this region. "We didn't have any issues with our food but we did notice some Bear Scat in our campground after a long day of hiking," explains Zack R. from his stay at East Fork Campground.
Weather fluctuations: Despite warm days, nighttime temperatures can drop significantly. "It was also pretty chilly for what we thought was still the fall season, only 30 degrees when we arrived and 22 when we woke up in our tent the next morning," warns Fay M. about camping at Mammoth Mountain RV Park.
Mosquito pressure: Creek-side camping brings insects, especially in early summer. "This is a nice spot along the river if you're set up for dry camping. The sites are spacious and most of them are right along the river. It is for this reason the mosquitos are so out of hand," James notes about Pleasant Valley Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Easy lake access: Multiple lakes within 15-30 minutes' drive offer kid-friendly activities. "I bring my kayak here when I want to get away for a quick paddle. With the access to trails you have you'll have more than enough to do, but if that gets old either fish convict from boat, or tackle the 15 minute drive over to crowley," suggests Keef W. about Convict Lake Campground.
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds provide dedicated play areas. "Spots large enough for almost all size rigs. Tents too. Good bathroom amenities and swimming pool/spa. Playground. Walking distance to town," notes Jessica L. about Mammoth Mountain RV Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Animal sightings are common in the mornings and evenings. "Quite, clean friendly, deer come right into your camp site, creek runs behind majority of sites, great fishing, swimming, boating paddle boards," shares Lorrie about the animal opportunities at Convict Lake.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Toms Place have minimal or no hookups. "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. The campground is walking distance to the lake, but does not have lake front sites. The sites are fairly cramped and can be very close together. The pads are narrow. There is no hookups," explains Alivia M. about Sherwin Creek.
Dump station availability: Plan your water and waste management carefully. "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," explains Mindy G. about Sherwin Creek's spacious RV-friendly sites.
Generator restrictions: Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours for generators. "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," notes Patrick J. about Mammoth Mountain RV Park.
