French Camp

Star4.31
612 reviews
INYO, CA, USA
Family Friendly

Quick Facts

7,500 ft

Price

$35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

85 campsites

Season

Open April 25 to Oct...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Recreation Resource Management site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
French Camp
$35.00 - $35.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees are $35 per night for both standard non-electric and tent-only non-electric sites during the peak season from April 25 to October 25. Additional...
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Standard Site Fee$35.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
760-935-4825
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What Campers Say

4.31

Satisfactory

Based on 612 reviews

100 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleanrestroomsspacious

Some mention

noise

"French Camp receives highly favorable reviews for its cleanliness, scenic beauty, and amenities. Many users highlighted the well-maintained restrooms, spacious campsites, and friendly hosts as standout features. The proximity to Rock Creek and other outdoor attractions adds to its appeal."

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Campground Map

INYO, CA, USA

French Camp

INYO, CA, USA

Driving directionsFrom Bishop or Mammoth Lakes, California, follow U.S. Highway 395 (about 30 miles north of Bishop). Take the Tom's Place exit and go 1 mile on Rock Creek Road.
Located near U.S. Highway 395, access is straightforward, but trailers/RVs over 35 feet are not recommended due to maneuverability challenges and steep grades.
Nearby places
Bishop (30 miles, approximately 40 minutes), Mammoth Lakes (22 miles, approximately 25 minutes), Tom's Place (1 mile, approximately 5 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Tom's Place (1 mile) provides camping essentials, food, and fee showers. Mammoth Lakes and Bishop offer broader options, including grocery stores and pharmacies.

Best Time to Camp at French Camp

Summer days at French Camp bask in glorious sunshine with temperatures climbing to a comfortable mid-80s to low 90s, perfect for afternoon creek explorations and shaded picnics. As autumn arrives, the aspens burst into golden flames against the evergreen backdrop, creating a photographer's paradise. Evening temperatures plunge dramatically year-round, reminding visitors they're in true mountain country. Late-season adventurers might wake to find delicate frost patterns or even early snow dustings decorating their tents.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer is most popular: warm days (mid-80s/90s) and cool nights, ideal for creek activities.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Fall offers stunning foliage and quieter conditions according to seasonal notes.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Open starting Apr 25; spring available but limited early season access possible.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed in winter (open Apr 25 to Oct 25).

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: April 25 to October 25.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open April 25 to October 25, weather-dependent.
  • Current Alerts: E. coli contamination in water lines was reported in past seasons. Fire restrictions may be enforced during dry periods.

About French Camp

Nestled alongside the rushing waters of Rock Creek, French Camp invites you into a world where towering pines whisper ancient stories and smooth granite boulders create natural gathering spots for evening campfires. This sprawling campground in the heart of Inyo National Forest perfectly balances wilderness adventure with family-friendly amenities, offering pristine facilities and endless opportunities to explore the stunning Eastern Sierra landscape.
French Camp offers a mix of camping options, including tent sites and RV sites without hookups. Sites are organized in a loop, and some are located along the creek.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in is officially at 2 PM.
Check-out
Check-out is at 12 PM.
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit.

Amenities available

Potable water
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

French Camp is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities including hiking, fishing, rockhounding, and wildlife viewing. The nearby Rock Creek provides excellent trout fishing opportunities, while hiking trails and scenic views cater to adventurers.
HikingHiking trails are abundant in the area, including access to Rock Creek and nearby destinations like Little Lakes Valley Trailhead. Trails vary in difficulty and offer majestic views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. "The area's majestic scenery and challenging trails are an obvious draw for hikers," according to the official description.
FishingFishing in Rock Creek is a highlight, with opportunities to catch brook, brown, rainbow, and stocked Alpers trout. "Fishing in this area is great," said one user, emphasizing the quality of the experience.
BikingMountain biking is a popular activity, with trails in the surrounding area providing a mix of terrain and challenges. "The area's majestic scenery and challenging trails are an obvious draw for... mountain bikers," according to the official description.
Wildlife viewingThe campground is home to diverse wildlife, including black bears, deer, and a variety of bird species. Campers are reminded to use bear boxes diligently as bears are known to visit the area.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWildlife hazards include frequent bear sightings, mountain lions, mule deer, and pine martens. Scorpions and mosquitoes may also be present at some sites.
Active AlertsE. coli contamination in water lines was reported in past seasons. Fire restrictions may be enforced during dry periods.
Food Storage RequiredBear lockers are provided at each site and are disinfected after guest departures.

Weather at French Camp

Reviews

4.3
612 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
French Camp is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
French Camp receives highly favorable reviews for its cleanliness, scenic beauty, and amenities. Many users highlighted the well-maintained restrooms, spacious campsites, and friendly hosts as standout features. The proximity to Rock Creek and other outdoor attractions adds to its appeal.
Review Summaries
Based on 612 reviews

What Campers Love

Immaculate restrooms, spacious campsites, clean and quiet environment, friendly and helpful camp hosts, and convenient access to hiking and fishing. "The bathrooms were the cleanest I have EVER seen...
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Based on 612 reviews

Common Concerns

Some users mentioned noise from nearby Highway 395, generator usage exceeding posted rules, and occasional overcrowding. Additionally, a few campers noted issues with reservation management and site...
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Based on 612 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring cash for firewood and showers at Tom's Place. Arrive early during peak weekends to secure a site if not reserved. Site 71 and sites along the creek are particularly recommended for privacy and...
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Based on 612 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the most popular season, with warm days and cool nights, but some users noted that high temperatures could make midday activities uncomfortable. Fall offers stunning foliage and quieter...
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Based on 612 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Bathrooms really are clean too!" (Ashley Contreras). "Best tent camping experience ever" (Faviola Bugarin Lopez). "Super clean site, the campground managers are on it" (Bruce). "If you stay here you...
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Based on 612 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 44 is noted for its large size and tree coverage. Site 71 is praised for its privacy and proximity to the creek. Site 59 offers a flat and spacious layout, suitable for trailers. Site 16 has...
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Based on 612 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility reviews are limited, but users noted that restrooms are well-distributed and maintained, which could benefit individuals with mobility challenges. Specific site reviews mention flat and...
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Based on 612 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and several users brought dogs. "We also added another husky to our pack and there was plenty of room," one user noted. Another said, "The dogs loved the cool creek flowing through...
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Based on 612 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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