Inyo / Lower Grays Meadow Campground

Beautiful small campground at the foot of the mountains, easily accessed from the small town of Independence and about 45 min drive north to Bishop.  

Campground is currently open (March), but in winter operation mode. No water, no host, no firewood, and no fees.  Campground open date is April 25, not sure when winter season starts. Price is $25 when open.

There are toilets but they are closed at this time and there are porta potties instead.

There are trash bins that are unlocked, but the website says that there is no trash service during the winter season so be prepared to pack out your trash if needed.

Each site has a picnic table, a fire ring, and a bear box. Some sites have a cool rock oven/stove.  Each site has a unique configuration, some being more private and surrounded by brush, and some more out in the open.

A really nice small creek runs behind the campground.

We arrived on a Monday in late March and had the entire place to ourselves for a night.  The next day several other campers showed up.

Cell service is very iffy, especially for Verizon and T-Mobile. AT&T mostly had 1-2 bars of 4G.  However, just a few miles down the road on the way to Independence there is excellent service from all carriers. 

Really nice campground. $25 seems a bit high but this would be a great place to stay while exploring the surrounding mountains.

Nice spaced out sites with trees for shade. 6 miles up the road from Independence. This campground was still open early Nov when others up the road were closed. Very attractive.

The campground is split into upper and lower sections. Both of which have some sites located right along Independence Creek and beneath the canopy of the riparian corridor. There other sites are located within the sagebrush. Clean facilities and trout fishing from an appropriately placed hammock within the right campsite.