Convict Lake Campground

Inyo National Forest

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.

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.

Need to Know

• No electricity, water or sewer site hookups
• Reservations are site-specific. Changing campsites after arrival is prohibited
• No ATVs or ORVs allowed in the facility
• Convict Lake is a no-wake lake
• Generators allowed only during non-quiet hours; three-hour maximum run time and must be attended while running
• Day use parking is adjacent to the campground

• Two dogs are allowed and must be leashed

• This is a high elevation facility; please use caution when traveling from lower elevations; campground usually not clear of snow until late May or early June
• Be bear aware; keep all food out of site in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating; always keep a clean camp and do not feed any wild animals

• Please Note: One RV with tow vehicle per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground. 

• Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. 

• Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

• Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

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.

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.

Contact Information

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HCR 79, BOX 54 CROWLEY LAKE CA 93546

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 760-924-5771

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

Convict Lake Campground is about 34 miles north of Bishop, California on Highway 395. From Bishop, travel north on 395. The turnoff to the campground is across from Mammoth Yosemite Airport and is well-signed. From Mammoth Lakes, travel on Highway 395 south for 5 miles. Turn west off of Highway 395.

Available Campsites

• Site 053, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 063, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 038, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 080, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 081, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 072, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 087, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 059, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 062, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 084, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 049, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 050, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 069, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 076, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 048, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 057, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 064, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 088, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 058, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 061, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 075, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 043, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 055, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 082, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 083, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 051, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 044, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 086, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 065, Loop AREA CONVICT LAKE CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric

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