USDA Forest Service · California
East Fork Campground – Inyo National Forest (CA)
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 134
- Hookups
- 71 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to October 3
- Max RV length
- 38 ft
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 9,019 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- EAST FORK CG (NFSR 04S12M) · asphalt · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Inyo National Forest
- Nearest town
- Mammoth Lakes
- Address
- INYO, CA
- Phone
- 760-935-4825
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Picnic Tables, Wildlife Viewing
133 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
East Fork Canyon is in a beautiful wooded section of Rock Creek Canyon, near Lower Rock Creek. Anglers, hikers and photographers enjoy this scenic location in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.
The facility is large and accommodating, with several loops of campsites.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 include brook, brown, rainbow and stocked Alpers trout, while anglers in the backcountry are treated to populations of golden trout.
The area's majestic scenery and challenging trails are an obvious draw for hikers and mountain bikers. There are several trails in and around Rock Creek Canyon, some of which meander around high-elevation alpine lakes.
Facilities
The campground has four loops. Some campsites are close together, and some sit along the banks of the creek. There is a mix of sun and shade.
Firewood is available for purchase on-site.
Bears inhabit the area; bear-proof lockers for food storage are located throughout the campground.
Natural Features
This beautifully wooded area is dense with pine and fir trees, with aspens that turn golden and shimmer in the fall. Sitting at an elevation of 8,900 ft., East Fork offers views of the taller mountain peaks that surround it.
The campground is adjacent to the clear, cold and cascading Rock Creek, which originates in the John Muir Wilderness and runs for 22 miles through the bottom of Rock Creek Canyon.
The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (760) 935-4012.
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32° | 17° | 2° | 52° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 32° | 16° | 0° | 48° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 34° | 18° | 0° | 61° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 42° | 22° | 5° | 54° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 53° | 32° | 16° | 67° | 9 of 11 |
| June | 69° | 43° | 22° | 79° | 2 of 11 |
| July | 77° | 52° | 43° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 74° | 51° | 43° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 67° | 45° | 35° | 75° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 57° | 35° | 13° | 70° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 47° | 30° | 9° | 64° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 36° | 20° | 0° | 52° | 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
- Palisades Group Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 1 sites
- Palisade Group Camp · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Pine Grove Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Upper Pine Grove Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Big Meadows Campground · USDA Forest Service · 2 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.