Crowley Lake Campground
Campground · Mammoth Lakes corridor
Crowley Lake Campground sits at 6995 ft in the Mammoth Lakes corridor of California's eastern Sierra Nevada. A reservoir-backed campground exposed to afternoon wind funneling off the high desert.
Wind dominates the afternoon pattern; the 30-day average wind of 11 mph masks frequent gusts to 27 mph by mid-day. Morning calm gives way to sustained pressure by 2 PM. Expect cooler than valley floors at the same elevation; the 30-day average temperature is 39 degrees Fahrenheit.
Over the past 30 days, Crowley Lake has averaged a NoGo Score of 13.0, with conditions ranging from 6.0 to 31.0. Afternoon wind remains the primary driver of poor scores. The week ahead should track near that 30-day average wind of 11 mph, though individual days may spike. Head here on calm mornings; skip the afternoon if you are paddling or setting up a sensitive camp.
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About Crowley Lake Campground
Crowley Lake Campground occupies the east arm of Crowley Lake Reservoir, a large glacial impoundment 10 miles north of the town of Mammoth Lakes via Highway 395. The campground sits directly on the water at 6995 ft elevation, making it one of the lower-elevation camps in the Mammoth Lakes corridor and more accessible during shoulder seasons when higher passes are closed. Primary access is Highway 395 north from Mammoth; Highway 120 (Tioga Pass) connects from the west but closes seasonally. The drive from Reno via Highway 395 south takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours; from the Bay Area via Highway 120 or 108, plan 4 to 5 hours depending on conditions and pass status.
The site experiences classic Sierra Nevada spring and early-summer conditions: cold mornings (the 365-day minimum temperature is 15 degrees Fahrenheit), afternoon warming, and persistent wind off the reservoir. The 30-day average temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit reflects late April timing; by late June and July, daytime highs climb into the low 60s, though nights remain cool. Crowds build steadily from late May through Labor Day weekend, then drop sharply. Wind is the defining constraint year-round; the 30-day rolling average of 11 mph is typical, with gusts to 27 mph on exposed days. Water remains cold enough to require a wetsuit through August. Afternoon thermals and lake-to-land pressure gradients make the place calmer before 9 AM and windier after 1 PM.
Crowley Lake Campground is best for anglers targeting brown and rainbow trout, kayakers and paddleboarders willing to launch early, and car campers seeking a mid-elevation base without the crowds of Yosemite Valley. The campground has roughly 47 developed sites with vehicle access, vault toilets, and a boat launch. Experienced anglers know to fish the inlet streams and drop-offs in early morning; paddlers must launch before 10 AM to avoid afternoon chop. Parking fills by late morning on weekends during peak season; arrive early or plan a weekday visit. The shallow north end warms faster than the open lake and offers slightly calmer water during afternoon winds.
Visitors comparing Crowley Lake to nearby Mammoth Lake and the town of Mammoth Lakes itself will find Crowley Lake larger, colder, and less crowded. Mammoth Lake (within the town) is smaller, warmer, and more developed with rentals and restaurants; Crowley Lake is quieter and suited to self-sufficient campers. June Lake, 15 miles south, sits at a similar elevation but is protected by forested peaks and experiences less sustained afternoon wind. The eastern Sierra corridor from Highway 395 between Mammoth and Lee Vining offers multiple water-access campgrounds; Crowley Lake is the largest single body of water and best for extended paddling trips.