USDA Forest Service · California
Rock Creek Lake (Inyo National Forest, CA)
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 26
- Hookups
- 20 no hookups
- Season
- May 28 to October 2
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 9,728 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
- ROCK CREEK GROUP SITE (NFSR 06S08) · asphalt · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Inyo National Forest
- Nearest town
- BISHOP
- Address
- BISHOP, CA, 93515
- Phone
- 760-873-2500
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Educational Programs, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Wildlife Viewing
8 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Recreation
Rock Creek and other waterways in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains are known for exceptional trout fishing. A catch from the lake may include brook, brown, rainbow and stocked Alpers trout, while anglers may be treated to golden trout in the backcountry. Power boats on the lake are limited to electric motors only.
The area's majestic scenery and challenging trails are a draw for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The Tamarack Trail begins in the campground and wanders up to several high-elevation, glacially-carved alpine lakes and ponds.
Facilities
The campsites are well-spaced along the lake shore, with several tent-only, walk-in sites overlooking the lake. Boat rentals, educational programs, groceries and showers are all nearby. Firewood is available on-site for a fee. Bears inhabit the area, so bear-proof lockers are provided for campers to store food.
Natural Features
The campsites at Rock Creek Lake sit on a low hill with scattered aspen and lodgepole pine trees overlooking the lake's crystal blue waters. At an elevation of 9,600 feet, the facility affords visitors excellent mountain views.
The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (760) 935-4121.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors have convenient access the magnificent John Muir Wilderness, which stretches for 100 miles along the crest of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially-carved terrain, and offers extensive hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30° | 15° | -1° | 50° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 30° | 13° | -3° | 45° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 32° | 16° | -2° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 39° | 20° | 3° | 52° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 51° | 30° | 13° | 65° | 10 of 11 |
| June | 66° | 40° | 19° | 76° | 4 of 11 |
| July | 74° | 50° | 40° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 72° | 48° | 41° | 78° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 65° | 42° | 32° | 73° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 55° | 33° | 11° | 67° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 44° | 27° | 7° | 61° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 34° | 17° | -2° | 49° | 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
- Rock Creek Lake Group Camp (Inyo National Forest, CA) · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 1 sites
- Rock Creek Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi
- Upper Pine Grove Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Mosquito Flat Backpacker Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Pine Grove Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 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.