French Campground near Lake Crowley, Inyo National Forest

This is one of my longer videos, but if you’re planning a camping trip near Mammoth Mountain or anywhere in the Eastern Sierra, I think you’ll find it really helpful. French Campground, located in the Inyo National Forest just east of the Sierra Nevada, is one of the best places to camp in California — especially if you want quick access to Mammoth without the crowds or the high lodging prices. In this video, I take you through the campground layout, nearby access points, and what it’s like staying here compared to staying directly in Mammoth. One of the biggest benefits is the balance of convenience and quiet: you’re only a short drive from Mammoth Mountain’s hiking, biking, and town amenities, but you still get the peaceful forest environment and wide-open skies that the Eastern Sierra is known for. I also included a bit of my astrophotography, because the night skies here are incredible. For anyone wondering about cell service, we used T-Mobile and had semi-decent reception throughout our stay. And if you’re planning meals or food storage, the bear boxes at French Campground measure 35 inches deep, 43 inches wide, and 28 inches high (88 cm x 109 cm x 71 cm internally). If there’s anything I missed or if you’ve camped here before, feel free to share your tips in the comments. Music is from Pixabay :Nightsky Lofi & Drive Lofi Vibes. Please subscribe and like the video it supports us a lot. KCP original.