The Best Quick-Stop Campground on Hwy 395 – French Camp

Published on by naomyoutdoors

  • Location: Inyo National Forest, Near Bishop, CA
  • Month: July 
  • Site: 003
  • Bathrooms/showers: Yes/No 
  • Cost: $41 online ($33 with $8 reservation fee)
  • Reservations: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232395
  • Cell Coverage: Good, but with some issues
  • Pet-Friendly: Yes

French Campground is a perfect campsite for either beginner campers, RV campers, and road trippers looking for a pit stop! It is beautifully located in Inyo National Forest, central to so many spots in the Eastern Sierra. If you love easy access hot springs, hiking trails, backpacking trails, fishing, camping, alpine lakes, and beautiful nature only 5 or so hours from Los Angeles, keep on reading!

Campground

French Camp occupies about 85 campsites that are tent-friendly, and also available for small to medium RV’s. There are no hook-ups. It is located at the bottom of Rock Creek Road & off of Highway 395.

French Campground

This campground sits in a loop adjacent to a creek that is accessible. It has flush toilets, but no showers. The campground host lives right at the beginning of the campground, and has fire wood available for purchase. 

Campsite

The campsite itself had space for two cars to park in tandem. A picnic table and bear box sat at the end of the parking. A fire ring lay just off to the side. Just like the campground, this campsite was surrounded by boulders and trees. There were ample spots for shade, however, there weren’t as many large spots for tents as some other campsites. Most spots at this site would only hold maybe a 2 person tent comfortably, otherwise, big boulders littered the ground. 

This particular campsite also had no privacy. Because it sat at the beginning of the loop, every car and rv drove pass and the trees were not dense enough to provide coverage. There was shade however, although there was none at the picnic table during the middle of the day. And there were two spots that were hammock-friendly.

What is nearby Campground?

Immediately nearby, just walking distance away, lies Tom’s Place Resort, which has a small grocery store and a restaurant/bar. There are cabins and accommodations available here as well. 

As previously mentioned, French Camp lies right in the middle of Bishop and Mammoth Lakes. About 10 minutes away, is Crowley Lake, and Rock Creek Lake sits about just 10 miles up the road.

Rock Creek Lake Campground (and the Resort), East Fork Campground, Big Meadow Campground, and more campgrounds are within driving distance up the road from French Campground.

Moreover, Little Lakes Valley and all its trails that leave to the backcountry is at the end of Rock Creek Rd, up from this campground. 

Finally, there are coin showers at Rock Creek Lake Resort, with hot water and great water pressure. There is a store, and restaurant, as well as accommodations. However, cell coverage did not exist for me here, so plan accordingly.

How Easy is it to book?

This campsite is on recreation.gov and is very user-friendly. Just type in the days you are searching for, and the available campsites will pop up. In addition, there will be additional campground suggestions that are nearby. The Map view is my favorite tool to search for other campgrounds nearby.

Final Thoughts

What attracted me to this particular campsite was the location! It is perfectly in the middle of so many beautiful spots! It was kind of a pain to have to drive up to Rock Creek Lake Resort to get a shower, but it was easy to access and a relief. I love that this campsite sat so close to Rock Creek Lake which also has a campground, but it’s usually booked. 

This campsite provided the proximity to SO many places nearby that are beautiful. However, I would likely pick a different campsite than this one if I am camping with a larger group. My tent was a large 4-person tent and it did not fit amongst the trees. I was able to fit behind my car in the parking lot easily. 

Curious about other campsites in California? I review all the wonderful campsites (and not so wonderful campsites) here that I have stayed at. Take a peek, get outside, and happy adventuring!

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