Best Glamping near Alabama Hills, CA

Had a wonderful time exploring the area of the Alabama Hills below and was a wonderful campsite to beat the heat of the valley, at that time was over 100 degrees. The stream was flowing and had just been load with fish, the campground was open and as well as the store/restaurant. The Burger and Beer was a welcome site after a week in the sierras, the big surprise was breakfast, the single pancake was big enough to feed three people. Do not order the short stack unless you have an army of people to feed. The campsite was kept very clean and well organized, firewood for campfires and an abundance of information about the hike to the top and surrounding areas.

We arrived Fourth of July weekend and the drive down to the campground is absolutely stunning! We stayed at site 120 which was very spacious and partially shaded. The river was a lot lower than I have seen the past few times I have been here 4 years ago. Therefore there was a lot of people playing in the river. There are flushable toilets at the campground but no electricity so bring your flashlights. This campground is located towards the end of the road and it’s a great location being close to roaring river trailhead and zumwalt meadows and roads end trail. Cedar grove is just a few minutes away where you can get some groceries or little souvenirs. The campground was extremely packed and filled with families. For campers looking for peaceful camping I do not recommend this campground. But since I have a new son whose 9 months old, I was fine with the noise. Quiet hours were respected and that’s the most important part. I loved the location of the campground as you look around you are surrounded by beauty and you’re right in the canyon!

Sentinel was the only campground available for a visit to Kings Canyon and Sequoia. Be prepared for a LONG drive to get anywhere.

The campsite was amazing!!! You are nestled by the river and under beautiful big trees. The site was spacious with a picnic table, fire pit and bear box.

The restroom is dated, but it’s a flush toilet and running water, which is a gift. They do have a sink to clean dishes.

I found it to be pretty quiet. Most sites were dark shortly after sunset. A lot of people were up and out early in the morning. So many amazing hikes and walks to do within the two parks.

This camp ground is at the base of a very magestic mountain. Because Whitney is the tallest peak in the lower 48, this is a busy area. But it is still very relaxing and beautiful. And the camp host, Bill, is amazing. Very friendly, helpful and patient. The camp ground,itself has a beautiful stream running,through it, which ia stocked periodically with trout. It is close to Whitney portal, alabama hills, onion valley, and many other hiking/backpacking destinations. We took out 7 and 9 year old boys and they had a blast.

I have two issues with the camp ground is the site are small. It took some creativity to get out tent to fit.

Stayed probably 10 nights here this season between February and May. It can fill up quickly in the afternoon or evening, so plan to arrive early and, if going out to play, leave something to indicate your site is occupied.

This is tent only but I’ve slept in my small truck camper here and many sleep in vans or vehicles. I’ve seen quite a few small RVs here too.

Water is not potable year round, will be deemed not potable and/or shut off mid-May per convo with NPS employee. Fill at Stovepipe, Panamint, or elsewhere in summer. Showers, pool, WiFi available 10-ish miles away at Stovepipe for $10. No cell service at camp. Spotty 3G at Stovepipe.

Bathrooms are clean with no noticeable mold. Site can get VERY windy. Take care of your stuff. I’ve saved multiple tents here that weren’t properly secured while their owners were out for the day.

No shade here and the road can be loud. Traffic fumes can also be a factor, depending on wind direction, for those who are sensitive when people using the rest stop leave their rigs idling.

Overall, I recommend this spot as a single night or two but not for much more than that. It’s a great base close to showers but far enough out of the busier campgrounds and crowds.

This is a really cool little campground near the entrance of Sequoia National Park. The sites are tent only, so no hookups or anything like that. Pretty nice sites though, a lot of space. I think there can be fire restrictions in the summer since it can get so dry, so just be aware of that. As far as places go, it wasn't too pricey. I think we paid about $20 a night. There are bathrooms with running water, and the sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Each site also has storage lockers for your food, so be sure to lock it up in order to keep the bears from getting into it.

As for stuff to do around here, you obviously have to check out the trees. Go look at General Sherman and all the other Sequoia trees. They're so amazing and honestly it humbles you a little. Also check out Moro Rock Trail. The view from the top is amazing. You'll also probably see a fair amount of wildlife while you're hiking around, so be careful of the bears. Out of all my trips to California, I've seen the most bears here in Sequoia. They are super cool creatures, just keep a respectful distance and of course don't feed them.

Probably could have secured a first-come-first-served site within Sequoia NP, but rather have the comfort knowing our site was waiting for us after a 6 hour drive up to Sequoia National Forrest. The campground hosts were busy when we arrived, but made their way over to our site to check us in after we were set up. After that, we saw the hosts make several trips around the campground each day, keeping an watchful eye on all campers. Clean restrooms! (pit toilets) Clean fire ring upon arrival Site Size - small, comfortably fit 3-person tent, but would not have been able to fit a second of the same size (maybe two 2-person backpacking tents would work) Density - not much privacy in the sites to the inside of each loop, the outer sites appeared to have more privacy. Great location for a day trip to Kings Canyon NP and then a second day trip to the northern sites of Sequoia NP.

Because we had site 112, and it was March not July, and we could launch our canoe without any muss or fuss, and there were only a few other campers, I give this park 4 stars.  If we were here in July, well...we wouldn't stay here in July...period.  I can only imagine the crowds here after May 1.  This is a small lake and they limit the number of motorboats to 25, which is about 20 too many in my estimation.  Also, there is mandatory vessel inspection for mussels, and a $10 a day launch fee after May 1.  

So, timing is everything.  We had the lake to ourselves and we could launch our canoe directly from campsite #112.  The water is muddy, and much of the bank is not accessible from the water due to reeds, but the scenery looking at Mt Lone Pine, and Mt Whitney across the Alabama Hills is beautiful!

There was no check-in in March.  Reservations are online, and they will have your name on the post at the site when you arrive.  However, after May 1, you must have any vessel you are bringing with you inspected prior to entering the campground.

Each site will have a picnic table and fire ring and there are several water spigots throughout the campground where you can top off your tank.  However, most of the spigots do not have a nipple to screw on a water hose.  There are a couple that do.  There are also vault toilets and trash dumpsters throughout the campground.

The main downside to this campground regarding amenities is the lack of a dump site.  However, Boulder Creek RV Park just south on 395 will let you use their dump site for $25.   

The staff are very approachable and friendly and a couple of the maintenance guys even left us some cut firewood as they were thinning out the salt cedar trees.

The only demerits I give this campground in the offseason is the loud hwy noise from 395, which is inherent, and the small bits of trash that have become components of the sand.  Trash like broken glass, bottle caps, crushed aluminum cans, cigarette butts, dental floss applicators, etc.  Small stuff everywhere.  We spent an afternoon sifting through the sand, picking up trash around our campground, but it was really too big of a job for just 2 people.  Inyo County should organize a community clean up day where an army of volunteers with rakes can really go through the sand to pick up all of the debris.

This is a great place to stay a couple of nights if your looking to acclimate a bit before going Mt. Whitney. It's also just a beautiful campground in general. There are hiking trails from the campground itself, a gorgeous river flowing through it and the camp sites are spacious. It is a short drive from the Whitney Portal Store which has the biggest pancakes I've ever seen and if you go the other way, you can easily get to the Alabama Hills or the cute town of Lone Pine. The sites are shaded and there are pit toilets. It's a terrific campground for families or people just looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city!