Tuff Campground

Tuff Campground is a furrific spot for you and your pooch to pitch your tent during your Inyo National Forest getaway. The living at Tuff ain’t easy -- facilities are pretty primitive, and there aren’t any showers, electricity, or RV hookups.

But if you and your buddy are willing to "ruff" it a bit, you can reap the benefit of Tuff’s fabulous location. Perched on the banks of Rock Creek, the campground gets its name from the Tuff rock formations, rings of igneous rock formed from volcanic explosions millennia ago. You don’t need to think that geology rocks to find them strikingly beautiful. The only drawback is that there’s no tree cover -- though the campground is fringed by pines and cottonwood, most of the sites don’t get much shade. Nevertheless, at an elevation of over 7,000 feet, temperatures never get too high! While Tuff Campground is rarely crowded, it’s still best to make your reservation early. There’s no entrance fee to the area, and sites start at $23.

You and your doggo are sure to sniff out lots to do during your stay! If casting a line is your idea of a good time, you’ll be glad to know that there’s good trout fishing in Rock Creek, and nearby Rock Creek Lake provides more ample angling opportunities. Hound-dog hikers shouldn’t find it too hard to get some trail time in! The Lower Rock Creek Canyon Trail has an entrance just outside of camp. This nine-mile out-and-back trail does feature some steep inclines, but the workout is more than worth it in spring and early summer, when the wildflowers along the route burst into a riot of color. You’ll find some more routes in the area around Rock Creek Lake, around twenty minutes from Tuff.

Wifi isn’t available at Tuff, and cellular coverage varies from network to network. Fires are permitted, but only in designated rings, and regulations can change with the weather. You’ll also find drinking water available on-site. Remember to bring waste bags for your pupper, and have a pawesome time!