USDA Forest Service · California
French Camp
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 84
- Hookups
- 83 no hookups
- Season
- April 24 to October 24
- Max RV length
- 35 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 7,247 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile good · AT&T good · Verizon good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- HOLIDAY CG (NFSR 04S71) · crushed aggregate or gravel · high clearance vehicles
- Lake
- Inyo National Forest
- Nearest town
- Tom's Place
- Address
- INYO, CA
- Phone
- 760-935-4825
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Picnic Tables, Wildlife Viewing
84 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
French Camp lies in the Rock Creek area of the scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains, near Tom's Place and midway between Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, California. Its ideal location makes this campground a good stop for travelers on U.S. Highway 395 to rest overnight.
Hiking opportunities are vast, and the creekside campground is convenient for fishing. The facility is large and inviting, with forest and mountain views and several amenities.
Opening and closing dates for the season are dependent on weather.
Recreation
Rock Creek and other waterways in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains are known for their exceptional trout fishing. A catch from the creek may includ brook, brown, rainbow and stocked Alpers trout.
The area's majestic scenery and challenging trails are an obvious draw for hikers and mountain bikers.
Because of the region's interesting geology, rockhounding is also popular.
Facilities
French Camp is a large facility with a variety of settings for tents and small to medium RVs (no hookups available). A few campsites can accommodate medium to large RVs and trailers.
Sites are organized in one large loop, with some along the banks of the creek. Each has a picnic table and campfire ring.
Firewood is available on-site for purchase, and nearby Tom's Place offers additional supplies and fee showers.
Natural Features
Campers will experience the beauty of pines and fragrant junipers that have come to represent Inyo National Forest. The campground sits among aspens, pinyon and ponderosa and Jeffrey pines at an elevation of 7,500 ft.
The clear, cold and cascading Rock Creek, which originates in the John Muir Wilderness, runs alongside it. Brushy landscape and ample boulders in the area are fun to explore and traverse.
The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Nearby Attractions
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.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (760) 935-4824.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38° | 22° | 5° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 37° | 21° | 7° | 54° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 40° | 24° | 4° | 67° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 47° | 28° | 9° | 61° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 60° | 38° | 22° | 74° | 7 of 11 |
| June | 75° | 49° | 30° | 85° | 1 of 11 |
| July | 83° | 58° | 48° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 81° | 56° | 48° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 73° | 50° | 40° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 63° | 40° | 17° | 75° | 4 of 10 |
| November | 52° | 34° | 10° | 69° | 7 of 10 |
| December | 41° | 24° | 7° | 57° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Tuff Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 34 sites
- Aspen Group (Inyo) · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 1 sites
- Iris Meadow Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Big Meadows Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Palisade Group Camp · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.