Dispersed camping near Big Pine occurs at elevations between 4,000 and 9,000 feet across diverse terrain from desert flats to alpine meadows. Weather fluctuates dramatically with summer temperatures reaching 95°F during day and dropping to 45°F at night, while spring and fall bring milder conditions. Campers should prepare for significant temperature variations and limited cell service, especially at higher elevation sites.
What to do
Hike the Methuselah Trail: Visit Grandview Campground to access the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest where some trees are over 4,000 years old. "The Methuselah hike is short and there's not a lot of elevation gain but I did it on the first day at altitude so it was more challenging than expected. It's worth listening to the ranger's talks at 11 and 2pm," notes Lindsay C.
Fish in multiple waterways: At Baker Creek Campground, fishing opportunities abound in the creeks and ponds. "I loved the fishing here. You could tell it has been stocked at the amount of fish that were super easy catching on the fly rod," reports Heather P. The campground features multiple small streams throughout the property.
Soak in mineral hot springs: Take advantage of the natural geothermal features at Keoughs Hot Springs and Campground, which offers a large mineral pool. "The pool is nice and was very full on a Sunday afternoon. If you want hot springs with peace and quiet just walking out the entrance to the free pools," advises Marcus K.
Stargazing: The high desert provides exceptional night sky viewing. "Even at 8000 feet, it was hot during the day and cooler at night. We fell asleep under the INSANE stars. Like the angels kicked over multiple bottles of glitter," writes Kiley S. about their experience at Grandview Campground.
What campers like
Creekside camping spots: Many campers specifically request sites along water. At Willow Campground, "We drove through the campground to find a wonderful spot right by the creek. A day user was just leaving, and they said it was the best spot for fishing," shares Veronica O. The sound of flowing water enhances the camping experience.
Privacy between sites: At Volcanic Tableland BLM Dispersed Camping, "Sites are spaced apart to where it feels like you're the only one in the area," reports Jessica. Even when the area gets busy, the layout provides separation between campers.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility maintenance as important. "The bathrooms are in good condition, plenty of toilet paper, no horrible smells or messes," notes Mike N. about Browns Town campground. At multiple campgrounds, visitors commented on well-maintained pit toilets even during busy periods.
Diverse landscapes: The variety of terrain from desert to alpine attracts campers. "Beautiful and lush. Right on Bishop Creek with excellent fishing. A bit buggy (mosquitoes) especially in the meadow," describes Daniel D. about his stay at Willow Campground.
What you should know
Varying amenities by location: Services range from fully equipped to extremely basic. "No water and only pit toilets. The site I stayed in did have what looked to be a man made fire ring and there was a picnic table," explains Heather P. about Baker Creek Campground.
High altitude effects: Big Pine Creek Campground sits at significant elevation, affecting visitors. "We loved Big Pine Creek Campground. The sites are spacious and the backdrop is gorgeous. Not many campgrounds offer stellar trails into the Inyo John Muir Wilderness," shares Dave V., who adds, "I live at sea level so I don't sleep wonderfully at this kind of altitude, but that isn't the fault of the campground."
Weather variability: Temperatures can change dramatically. "Even at 8000 feet, it was hot during the day and cooler at night. Beautiful scenery, but the flies were terrible," reports Anthony S. about his Grandview Campground experience.
Road conditions: Access to some sites requires careful driving. "The road getting up is steep, narrow, and climbs almost 3500 feet over the course of 7 miles. If you are towing a trailer or driving a big rig get ready to burn some gas," warns Jordan B. about Upper Sage Flat Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for fishing ponds: Children enjoy dedicated fishing areas. "The campground also has a small fishing pond for kids. We stayed here for the night before backpacking through the north fork trail and we enjoyed our time here," explains Jason H. about his stay at Big Pine Creek Campground.
Consider campground activities: Some locations offer special events. "The guy who runs the campgrounds invited us over to the main campfire area where they had bbq, karaoke and smores. We came by for some smores and it was a fun time," shares Kateri G. about community activities at Upper Sage Flat Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple pet-friendly camping areas near Big Pine offer wildlife sightings. "The deer roam all around the camp ground so be on the lookup for them strolling through your camp," mentions Hannah V. from her experience at Big Pine Creek Campground.
Check facilities for families: Not all sites have running water. "This is a dry camp, so you have to haul in all of your water. There are pit toilets. It's about a 45-minute to one-hour drive to Big Pine, the closest town for supplies," advises Susan V. about Grandview Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Not all spots accommodate larger vehicles. "The campground is not very big, most people use it to spend the night prior to trekking up the mountains. If you have a big trailer you can easily get stuck. Class B easily works well," explains Beatriz S. about Willow Campground.
Plan for hookup needs: Hookup availability varies widely. "Nice and quiet. Great fishing and hiking! $40 for site with power and water, $35 without. $10 hot spring/pool entry per person for camping guests," notes Trent B. about Keoughs Hot Springs.
Watch elevation changes: Steep roads challenge larger rigs. "The road in, Casa Diablo, is gravel and heavily washboarded. The road along the back side of the stone 'wall' has gotten worse since we were here last. Parts of it are really rutted and washed out," warns Laura M. about Volcanic Tableland BLM Dispersed Camping.
Consider dump stations: Plan ahead for waste management. "They will rent you a shower for $5/5 minutes. For that $5 shower, you can use the modern toilet," advises Dave V., mentioning that Big Pine Creek Campground is often filled with international campers making for interesting conversations.
