North Lake Campground
North Lake Campground is situated among the trees and adjacent to the north fork of Bishop Creek. It is a lovely campground - all 11 campsites have shade among the tall Jeffery and Lodgepole pines. Three of the sites are very short walk-in's. The remainder have small parking spots at the sites. The road to North Lke is partially paved and partially gravel and is narrow and winding. Trailers and RVs are prohibited. In the spring and early summer, mosquitoes can be an annoyance. No piped water.
More like this: first-come in California · tent only in California
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | $31.00 per night. |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Inyo National Forest |
| Fees | $31.00 per night. |
| Rules | Dogs on leash only. Maximum stay 7 days. Active bear area. All food must be secured overnight and when not attended; bear boxes are provided and must be used (typical bear box size 48" x 30" x 36"). Always keep a clean camp and do not feed wildlife. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 37.2274° N, 118.6268° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCy26 Snf Rx Support
35 mi from the campground
- PrescribedGrant Grove Fall Rx
38 mi from the campground · 466 acres
- PrescribedThree Creeks Rx/Support Season
40 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 3.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Fixe Hardware ↗ | 15.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miPiute Pass ↗4.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miLamarck Lakes2.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miGrass Lake Outlet1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miGrass Lake Spur0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.3 miSabrina Basin ↗6.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miLamarck Col2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside John Muir Wilderness, which overlaps Inyo National Forest.
- inJohn Muir Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 652,903 acres
- inInyo National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,097,006 acres
- 5.2 miSierra National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,418,790 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- John Muir Memorial ShelterBuilding · Grant Cove · 8.3 mi
Guidebooks for Inyo National Forest and California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at North Lake Campground?
No. North Lake Campground is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at North Lake Campground?
$31.00 per night.
Source: Forest Service
Is North Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 26, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does North Lake Campground have?
11 sites.
Source: Forest Service
Can I bring an RV to North Lake Campground?
North Lake Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if North Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Sabrina Campground (1.3 mi, first-come), Bishop Park Campground (2.1 mi), and Bishop Park Group (2.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby