We have been talking about going to Rock Creek Lodge for dinner forever. We finally ventured out 2 weeks ago. My husband and I brought our back country skis and skied up to the Lodge ( 30 -45 minutes on wide open cat track) and our two guests took an exhiliarating ride on a snowmobile to the Lodge. We were joined by 30 plus merry people celebrating a birthday. What a great experience. Beautiful and rustic setting. The food was served family style and was delicious. We brought in our own wine and beer but they offered a limited but nice and well-priced selection. We skied out and our friends took the snowmobile back in the dark. I would totally recommend this for an evening for the adventurous or good-spririted types. We all talked about how fun it would be to stay the night. Hopefully we will get to do that another time. We will definitely be back and bring our friends. Note, it is about a 20-30 minute drive outside of Mammoth Lakes. Make reservations and be on time or you will miss out on a memorable evening. This is an entire evening adventure so don't expect to get in and out in an hour, enjoy the experience!!

Important point of information: Rock Creek Lodge is NOT in Mammoth Lakes, which is about a 30 minute drive north. That said, it IS located in Little Lakes Valley (turn west off Hwy. 395 at Toms Place), a spectacular alpine area with pristine Rock Creek running the length of it. The Valley opens as you travel up the road and ends about 4-5 miles (perhaps more) off Hwy. 395 nestled around 10,000 feet with soul-satisfying views of the eastern Sierras and wonderful hiking. I don't fish but do note that the anglers look happy. It is more remote than Mammoth.

We've stayed twice at Rock Creek Lodge, most recently in June, 2007, in a small "modern" cabin. The accommodations were modest, one small sleeping room with a wood stove, small kitchen with the basics, and a marginal bathroom with toilet, sink, tiny shower, and a soft spot in the floor that was tough to avoid. Lighting was a bare bulb with pull chain.

A previous stay was in a rustic cabin, across the road from the toilet, and a short walk from the shower room.

We ate all our dinners in the Lodge dining room during our most recent stay and were pleased with fairly sophisticated fare and equally good desserts. It was a real highlight after a day outdoors.

To avoid disappointment, Rock Creek Lodge is not a place to go if you have high expectations or measure value against other establishments. It is rustic and basic. What you get is a central location nestled into God's pocket. Walk a short distance from any cabin up the valley and you're in a lush meadow surrounded by granite peaks. Or just settle down next to Rock Creek, which runs through the property, and take in an achingly satisfying piece of nature.

It's not a budget location, but as a year round operation in a national forest, some distance from anywhere, I would guess that it's not easy to make a profit. My main quibble is that they charge $15 per day for dogs. Since guests are expected to clean up after them, which we always do, and sweep up before leaving, it seems like a gouge for the privilege of simply having the dog along.

Little Lakes Valley/Rock Creek has camping, there is another (summer only, no dogs) lodging operation, and one or two companies will rent and deliver trailers. But if you want a clean bed, a roof over your head, a little protection from cold nights, and to bring along the pooch, this is just about the only game around. It's the location that's the draw and in my humble opinion the area is incomparable.

This place is fantastic! It is at 9,400 feet, and they snowmobile you in as the roads are not plowed. We had a modern cabin, which was very basic but clean. You need to bring your own towels and sheets (or a sleeping bag) because there are no laundry facilities. Do not expect hotel service, you're in the mountains-you need to be self-sufficient. Come prepared to relax and enjoy the serenity of the backcountry, cross-country ski, snowshoe, etc. The staff is great, very laid back, down-to-earth and accomodating. The food was wonderful-always a four-course meal at dinner, eaten family style. We couldn't have had a better time and can't wait to return!

We arrived on February 20, 2004 and were immediately mesmerized by the location of this lodge. You're surrounded by wilderness no matter where you look. Snow, snow everywhere and more coming down. The cabin we stayed was more or less filled with amenities such as refrigerator and gas stove. It had a bathroom with a bathtub. The kitchen was awesome.
The food which is prepared by Jan was delicious so was she. There is a sauna that we used almost every night. There were miles of beautiful ski country. The people working there were more than helpful and more than friendly, especially Shawn. We stayed 3 wonderful days and night in this lodge. I would definitely go back.