East Fork Campground
Mammoth Lakes, California 93546
Overview
Nestled almost 9,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, East Fork campground is in a gorgeous wooded section of Rock Creek Canyon which is home to abundant wildlife like bears, mountain lions, deer, pika, and many species of birds and fish.
This relatively large campground offers 133 sites and many sites are under aspen and lodge trees which gives plenty of shade.
East Fork has drinking water and flush toilets but doesn’t have showers. You can use the showers which costs $2 for a 10-minute shower at the nearby Rock Creek Lodge which is about a mile up the road.
Each site has a table, bear-proof locker, fire ring, and grill. You’ll need to use the bear-proof lockers as there is an abundant population of hungry black bears. Cell service in this campground can be sketchy at best, so be prepared to switch off!
Rock Creek is popular with anglers for the excellent rainbow and golden trout population, and other recreational activities are backpacking, hiking, and picnicking.
East Fork allows dogs but they must be leashed and attended to at all times. The campground is open from May to October, weather permitting.
Best Campsites at East Fork Campground
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at East Fork Campground.
Sites 3,4,5,6
- Nice and shaded
- Wooded surroundings
Site 54
- Very quiet during the off-season. Limited parking.
Sites 110 to 123
- Along the creek
- Lots of space between sites
- Grassy and wooded
Unique Experiences
- Have breakfast at the nearby Rock Creek Lodge from 8 am to 10 am.
- Fish for loads of stocked trout at Convict Lake, Rock Creek Lake, and Crowley Lake
- Have yummy baked goodies or lunch at McGee Creek Lodge.
- Take your family hiking up Big Pine Creek and see beautiful waterfalls along the way.
- Go swimming at Rock Creek Lakes beach area.
- Take a drive to the nearby Mammoth Lakes and hike the numerous gorgeous trails in the area.
- Fish for trout in popular Bishop Creek or at Lake Sabrina and South Lake.
- Hike trails of all levels through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and enjoy the crisp, cool air at elevation.
- Trail ride with Rock Creed Pack Station or near Lake Sabrina and North Lake with Bishop Pack Outfitters.
East Fork Campground Campground Rules
Pet Friendly
trueMax Trailer/RV Length
40 feetMax Length of Stay
21 daysMax People per Site
6Max Vehicles per Site
2Fires Allowed
trueEast Fork Campground Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
YesSome sites are first come-first served, while other sites may be reserved by calling 1-877-444-6777 or at www.recreation.gov. Reservations are available from mid-May to early October.
Your reservation should be made from 4 days up to 6 months in advance of arrival. Sites cost $30 a night and you can click on the “make a reservation” button to check availability.
If sold out, try the campsite assist service. You will be sent a text or email if a campsite becomes available on the chosen dates.
Ensure you have the following information to make a reservation:
- The area you wish to park
- Check-in date for camping
- Type and size of camping equipment
- Number of people that will be camping
- Number of nights you wish to stay
- Alternative park and camping date choices
- Your phone number and area code
- Method of payment/Credit card number and expiration date
Group Camping Reservations
East Fork doesn’t have group sites but each site can accommodate 6 people and 2 vehicles so you can reserve adjacent sites.
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
You can cancel your reservation at any time before the date of your arrival. You will be refunded your money minus a $10 cancellation fee, any reservation fee paid when you booked, and any previous change fees.
Late cancellation fees may also apply. Late cancellation applies from midnight one calendar day before your scheduled check-in. A late cancellation fee will also be subtracted from any refund owed.
East Fork Campground Campground Cost
Standard Campsite
$30Activities
Backpacking
Fishing
Hiking
Bike Trails
Photography
Horseback Riding
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Grills
Campfire Rings
Storage Lockers
Campground Host
Wood for Sale
Picnic Tables
Potable Water
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to East Fork Campground
Palisades Group Campground
Palisades is also located along Rock Creek. It is way smaller than East Fork’s 133 sites and has one group site that can accommodate 25 vehicles and 5 people.
The maximum length of stay is 7 days, while in East Fork it is 21 days. Both campgrounds have no showers, hookups, or dump stations, and Palisades only has vault toilets while East Fork has flush toilets.
East Fork can accommodate vehicles up to 40 feet while the maximum length at Palisades is 25 feet. Palisades cost $85 for the group site for 25 people, while East Fork costs $30 for a single site that can accommodate 6 people.
Rock Creek Lake Campground
Rock Creek Group Campground is much smaller with only 26 sites compared to the 133 sites at East Fork. However, they have a nearby group tent-only site that can accommodate 25 people while East Fork doesn’t have any group camping facilities.
Both campgrounds have no showers, dump stations, or hookups. Rock Creek will be slightly colder as it is at 9,700 feet elevation compared to East Fork’s 8,900. The maximum stay at Rock Creek is 7 days while it is 21 days at East Fork.
The maximum vehicle length for Rock Creek is 25 feet while East Fork can accommodate vehicles up to 40 feet. Both campgrounds don’t have ADA sites, showers, hookups, or dump stations.
French Camp Campground
French Camp campground is located a ½ mile after the turnoff from Highway 395, while East Fork is quite a ways deeper in. It is at a lower elevation of 7,500 feet compared to the 8,900 of East Fork and will be significantly warmer, especially in the spring and fall months.
Because it is warmer, this campground might open as early as April, while East Fork opens about mid to late May depending on the weather.
French Camp has 86 sites while East Fork has 133. Both campgrounds cost $30 and do not have any hookups or showers. French Camp has a dump station while East Fork doesn’t.
Trailers over 35 feet at not recommended at French Camp while East Fork can accommodate vehicles up to 40 feet.
Tuff Campground
Tuff Campground is also located nearer the Highway 395 turnoff and is at 7,000 feet while East Fork is at almost 9000 feet. It opens in April while East Fork opens in mid to late May.
Tuff is a way smaller campsite with only 34 sites compared to East Fork’s 133. Tuff costs $28 while East Fork Costs $30.
Tuff only has vault toilets while East Fork has flush toilets. However, there is a dump station at Tuff and none at East Fork. Both campgrounds don’t offer hookups, showers, or ADA sites.
