Campground

Facilities

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.

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.

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.

Recreation Sites

  • Standard Nonelectric
  • Tent Only Nonelectric
  • Overnight

Activities

  • Swimming Site
  • Day Use Area
  • Fish Hatchery
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Picnicking
  • Hunting
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Climbing
  • Boating
  • Biking

Amenities

  • Food Storage Locker
  • Tent Pad
  • Fire Pit
  • Food Locker
  • Accessible Occupant Message
  • Accessibility

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.

Getting Here

Latitude
37° 35' 56.0000" N
Longitude
118° 51' 2.9999" W
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.

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.
  • Contact Information

    HCR 79, BOX 54
    CROWLEY LAKE, CA 93546

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

    Additional Information