East Fork California Campground

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.

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.

Natural feaures

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.

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.