Mosquito Flat Backpacker Campground
The campground operates seasonally and is currently closed for winter. Rock Creek Road typically opens in late May or June depending on snowpack. No fees or reservations required; first-come, first-served. Single-night stays only with a valid wilderness permit for the following day.
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Juniper Bike Trail Area Closure
To provide for public safety while contractors perform forest health and fuels reduction work for the Forest Trail.
Reds Meadow Road Reconstruction Project
www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/projects/reds-meadow-road-reconstruction
Inyo Craters Closure Order
To provide for public safety during ongoing hazardous fuel reduction projects in the Inyo Craters area on the Mammoth Ranger District.
ESCCRP Shady Rest Fuel Reduction Project Area Closure
To provide for public safety while contractors perform forest health work in the Shady Rest, Forest Health Units, trails, roads, and certain recreational areas such as the disc golf course will be closed.
Mammoth Mill Site Area and Trail Closure
This Forest Order prohibits recreating, entering or being in the Mammoth Mill Site Closure Area and the Mammoth Stamp Mill Trail to provide for public safety.
Mammoth Scenic Loop Closure
Our partners are helping the Town of Mammoth Lakes do hazard tree mitigation along the Mammoth Scenic Road. Both gates on the Scenic Loop will be closed for approximately 33 days beginning May 6 due to critical forest health work in the Inyo Craters area.This isn’t just routine maintenance, this…
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Area Closure
To provide for public safety and the protection of resources within the Inyo National Forest, the following acts are prohibited: Camping or having a campfire within the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest National Protection Area, possessing, storing, or transporting any part of a Bristlecone or Limber…
Help Halt Golden Mussel Invasion
The non-native, highly invasive golden mussel was discovered in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in October 2024. Once established, they can affect flood control by reducing water flow and contribute to harmful algal blooms. Please contact the waterbody you plan to visit for latest information about…
Stay Limits, Parking, and Developed Recreation Site Use
This forest order was put in place to protect natural resources and promote public safety.
Wilderness Use Restrictions
This Forest Order prohibits recreating within the portions of the John Muir, Ansel Adams, Hoover, and Golden Trout Wildernesses located in the Inyo National Forest. Please click on the PDF version for all Exhibit maps B - G. The website will not allow for more JPG formats to be uploaded than what…
Mount Whitney Zone Access Restrictions
This forest order prohibits recreating in the Mount Whitney Zone to provide for public safety and protect natural resources.
Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Campfire Restrictions
This forest order prohibits campfires in portions of Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Areas that are located on the Inyo National Forest, as shown on the Exhibits.Please click on the PDF version for all Exhibit maps B - S. The website will not allow for more JPG formats to be uploaded than what…
Golden Trout and Hoover Wilderness Campfire Restrictions
This forest order prohibits campfires in portions of Golden Trout and Hoover Wilderness Areas that are located on the Inyo National Forest, as shown in the Exhibits.
Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project Area Closure
This forest order prohibits access to roads affected by the Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project to provide for public safety while contractors perform forest health and fuels reduction work surrounding the Town of Mammoth Lakes and beyond. The closure orders are dynamic and…
Hot Creek Closure Order
This Forest Order prohibits recreating in Hot Creek within the Mammoth Ranger District.
Goat Prohibition Order
This Forest Order prohibits possessing or storing a goat within the Inyo National Forest Goat Prohibition Area.
B&B Mine Closure Order
This Forest Order prohibits recreating within the B&B Mine and Mill Site Closure Area.
Food and Refuse Storage Restrictions
This Forest Order prohibits food and refuse in locations in Exhibits A and C-J, unless stored in a bear-resistant container. Food and refuse in locations shown in Exhibit B must be stored in a bear-resistant container OR counter-balanced at least 15 feet above the ground and 10 feet horizontally…
About
Mosquito Flat Backpacker Campground sits at 10,100 feet at the terminus of Rock Creek Road, serving as a staging area for wilderness backpackers. This specialized campground offers 10 walk-in sites exclusively for those departing into the John Muir Wilderness the next morning via the Mono Pass or Little Lakes Valley trailheads. Single-night stays only are permitted, and campers must possess a valid wilderness permit for the following day. The campground is primitive by design, offering vault toilets, picnic tables, and required bear boxes but no potable water. Campers must bring their own drinking water. The elevation and location make this a prime launching point for accessing the stunning Little Lakes Valley basin and high alpine terrain of the eastern Sierra. Access is via Rock Creek Road (Forest Service Road 12), approximately 10 miles from Highway 395 at Tom's Place. The road closes in winter due to snow, typically reopening in late spring or early summer depending on snowpack conditions.
Directions
Exit Highway 395 at Tom's Place, approximately 13 miles south of Mammoth Lakes or 30 miles north of Bishop. Follow Rock Creek Road (FS 12) west for about 10 miles to the road's end at Mosquito Flat.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (760) 873-2500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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