Onion Valley, near Independence, California, is a stunning campground that serves as a fantastic base for outdoor adventures. With its breathtaking views and proximity to numerous hiking trails, it’s a favorite spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature.

The campground offers a mix of tent, RV, and glamping options, making it accessible for different camping styles. Visitors rave about the clean facilities, especially the impressively maintained pit toilets, and the well-kept sites that provide a good amount of privacy thanks to the surrounding trees and shrubs. As one camper noted, “The sites are pretty private... with well-maintained fire pits, tables, and bear lockers.”

Onion Valley is a prime location for hiking, with trails leading to beautiful lakes and waterfalls just a short trek away. Campers have highlighted the stunning scenery, with peaks soaring towards 14,000 feet, making it a perfect spot for both day hikes and backpacking trips. If you’re planning to hike to Kearsarge Pass, be sure to park in the designated hiker parking lot if you’re not returning to camp.

While the campground does not have water spigots, there’s a creek nearby for filtering water, so come prepared. The chilly nights call for warm gear, but the starry skies and peaceful surroundings make it all worthwhile. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking to relax in the great outdoors, Onion Valley has plenty to offer.

## Overview

 This quiet campground is set amidst breathtaking scenery of rugged mountain peaks, thick forests and waterfalls in the Onion Valley area of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its location on the creek and proximity to the John Muir Wilderness make it a popular hub for hikers, anglers, photographers and those who want to relax in a peaceful, natural setting.
## Recreation

 Majestic scenery and challenging trails draw campers to the Onion Valley area for hiking and horseback riding. The campground is near Kearsarge Pass, Robinson Lake and Golden Trout Lakes Trailheads, which access several alpine lakes and mountain peaks within the John Muir Wilderness, as well as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. The eastern Sierras are also known for exceptional trout fishing. From the campground, anglers can try for rainbow, brown, brook and Alpers trout in Robinson Lake and a nearby creek.
## Natural Features

 Situated at an elevation of 9,200 feet, the campground is surrounded by the towering peaks of the John Muir Wilderness and immersed in shrubs, lodgepole pine and aspens. Lovely wildflowers color the landscape in late spring and early summer. The campground is adjacent to a creek and lake. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear,which frequent the campground, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds. 
## Contact Info

 For facility specific information, please call (602) 726-1102. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Campers can enter the John Muir Wilderness, a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially carved terrain, via nearby trails. Some trails lead into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to the west.

Onion Valley

Seven Pines, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Seven Pines, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Seven Pines, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Seven Pines

The Best Camping Near Seven Pines, California

Great car camping sites with the cleanest pit toilets I've ever experienced. The scenery is sublime. We stayed here as a first night before a several day backpacking trip in the Sierras but you could also stay here for the weekend and do some local hikes including hiking to Kearsarge Pass (Google image search but understand that the pictures don't do it justice!) We will definitely be back again soon.

Onion Valley Oasis and Springboard to the Sierras

This is a great campground! Lots of cool hikes nearby, including waterfalls and the Kearsarge Pass. The views are unreal. It gets cold at night so make sure you come prepared. I've been trying to convince my friends to come with me forever but they don't believe me when I tell them it's worth the drive. As of Sept 2019, there is no water and no camp host, so be prepared to come with everything you need. Walk in sites have more shade and are more secluded. Best drive in site is probably 11. Best walk in site is maybe 21 or 22 I think.

Beautiful, peaceful

There are pull in sites and walk in sites. All pull in sites seem to be surround by low growing shrubs and they have so many mosquitoes. The walk in site are under the conifers and are gorgeous. Waterfalls, tall peaks surround the campground

Buggy but beautiful

In 2018, I acclimated to the High Sierra at Onion Valley for one night before a trip down the JMT. The campground is nestled in an idyllic eastern Sierra cañon with excellent star gazing. Can’t wait to return!

A Perfect Beginning 

Onion Valley is way up into the Sierras, which means the views are amazing and it serves as a great jumping off point for backpacking trips.  Even if you are just going to day hike, it provides access to incredible country.  The sites are pretty private (sort of walled in by bushes, trees and rocks, with well-maintained fire pits, tables and bear lockers.  Just double check that your site is actually a drive-in site if that is what you want.  A few sites along the little road that runs through camp look like drive-in's but are not.

Spectacular views from this small campground with private sites.

Onion Valley is a beautiful spot tucked into the eastern Sierra above Independence. It’s a windy but not long drive back down to town. 

The sites were comfortable. We had a walk in site but it wasn’t too far from the parking lot. The bathrooms impressively clean. We could see a lot of the other campers so little privacy in our spot but that was fine. 

Bring water or water filters as the spigots are dry. There’s a creek to get water to filter. 

Great starting point for hiking up to Kearsarge Pass and into Kings Canyon. (But if you do that and aren’t coming back to the camp, park in the hiker parking lot)

Great spot! 

This campground sits above 9000 ft and you can drive there, park your car next to your site. It is a great basecamp for day hikes up into to higher altitude. There are multiple lakes a short hike away and waterfalls on 3 sides, its a beautiful place with peaks souring towards 14,000 ft.

High in the Sky

I checked this place out on my way back from Mammoth. Cool, remote location, over 9000ft. Small campground so if I went in the summer I'm sure it would be quite busy (I went in october). Sites are pretty close together. Nice location to multiple hiking trails. If cell signal is an issue this campground only had 1 bar for Verizon.

Photos of Onion Valley

Real photos from real campers