USDA Forest Service · California
Convict Lake Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 48
- Hookups
- 48 no hookups
- Season
- April 24 to October 24
- Max RV length
- 55 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 7,552 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
- CONVICT LAKE RESORT (NFSR 04S07D-2) · crushed aggregate or gravel · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Inyo National Forest
- Nearest town
- CROWLEY LAKE
- Address
- HCR 79, BOX 54, CROWLEY LAKE, CA, 93546
- Phone
- 760-924-5771
- Activities
- Amphitheater, Biking, Boating, Camping, Fish Hatchery, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Picnic Tables, Rock Climbing, Swimming
48 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Convict Lake Campground is situated near Convict Lake amidst the beautiful scenery of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The lake and surrounding national forest provide many opportunities for family fun, outdoor recreation and relaxation.
The campground and nearby resort offer many amenities for a convenient and enjoyable camping experience. The facility is located between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop, California, near Mammoth Airport.
Recreation
The eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains are known for exceptional trout fishing. Anglers can cast a line for rainbow and brown trout in the creek or lake. Power boats are limited to electric motors on the lake (six horsepower or less).
The area's majestic scenery and variety of trails draw in hikers, mountain bikers and equestrian enthusiasts. The 3.5-mile Lake Trail can be accessed from the campground, and many other trails are in nearby John Muir Wilderness.
Facilities
This is a fairly large and well-organized facility with both reservable and first-come, first-served campsites. A few sites overlook the lake, while others are a short distance from the shore. Sites are spaced fairly close together.
Flush toilets, drinking water, and a dump station are provided, as well as food storage lockers for safety from bears.
Campers can purchase firewood on-site. A store, pack station, boat rentals, restaurant, and other amenities are just down the road at the Convict Lake Resort.
Natural Features
The campground sits at an elevation of 7,500 ft. and provides gorgeous views of the lake and the dramatic mountain scenery. Convict Creek runs through the campground, and the 167-acre Convict Lake is about 100 yards away. Shrubs and low vegetation fill in the landscape, though tall aspen and cottonwood trees grow along the creek.
The area is abundant with wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors can explore 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 | 37° | 21° | 4° | 56° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 36° | 20° | 5° | 53° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 38° | 23° | 4° | 63° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 45° | 28° | 11° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 56° | 35° | 17° | 70° | 8 of 11 |
| June | 71° | 46° | 27° | 82° | 1 of 11 |
| July | 81° | 55° | 46° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 53° | 47° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 48° | 37° | 78° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 62° | 39° | 18° | 75° | 5 of 10 |
| November | 50° | 32° | 12° | 68° | 7 of 10 |
| December | 40° | 22° | 5° | 56° | 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
- Mcgee Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi
- Mcgee Creek · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 28 sites
- Crowley Lake Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 5 mi · 47 sites
- Crowley Lake Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 5 mi
- Sherwin Creek · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 85 sites
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.