Top Tent Camping near Big Pine, CA

Best Tent Camping Sites Near Big Pine, CA (165)

1. 

   1.

   Grandview Campground

   23 Reviews

   65 Photos

   185 Saves

   Bishop, California

   Grandview Campground is nestled in low hills covered with Pinyon and Juniper. A large open area in the middle of the campground gives a truly grand view of the night sky. The combination of 8,600 foot elevation and no intrusive city lights make this a popular site for star gazers and astronomy groups. Campers are asked to minimize their use of generators and lights so everyone in camp can enjoy a peaceful night of stargazing. Grandview is also the nearest campground to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, just 5 miles to Schulman Grove. The campground has 23 sites spaced on two loop roads. Most sites are flat and sandy with ample shade. Each site has a table, fire ring, and parking for one or two vehicles. Firewood sources are limited. Do not collect wood from live or standing trees.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • ADA Access
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Group
2. 

   2.

   Big Pine Creek Campground

   16 Reviews

   110 Photos

   576 Saves

   Big Pine, California

   Overview

   Big Pine Creek Campground, surrounded by sprawling meadows and towering trees, is perfectly situated in the scenic Big Pine Canyon. Campsites are perched along the cool, fish-filled waters of Big Pine Creek. Big Pine Canyon is heralded for having both the largest and southern most glaciers in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The campground sits at 7,700 feet elevation among vegetation like Jeffrey pine, sagebrush, aspen and cottonwood trees.

   Recreation

   The creek and nearby Big Pine Lakes are great for fishing. Both water spots have rainbow, brown and brook trout. The North Fork Trail gives hikers access to Big Pine Lakes and the Palisade Glacier. The trail climbs past waterfalls and zigzags through Jeffrey pine, manzanita and sage before it reaches Big Pine Lakes.

   Facilities

   This is a family-friendly and pet-friendly campground. Some campsites boast creek-front access, and each site accommodates a maximum of six campers. Vault toilets are provided for basic conveniences. Firewood is sold on-site.

   Natural Features

   Big Pine Canyon is heralded for having both the largest and southern most glaciers in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Palisade Glacier, the largest, sits above Big Pine Lakes. These impressive glacial lakes at around 10,000 feet elevation are the source of the North Fork of Big Pine Creek. The South Fork is bordered by the Palisade Crest with peaks over 14,000 feet and Middle Palisade Glacier, the southernmost glacier.

   Nearby Attractions

   Glaciers in the nearby John Muir Wilderness make an exciting hiking destination. A commercial pack station is within close proximity for horse enthusiasts looking for an outdoor adventure. A general store, pay showers and pond fishing can be found at a nearby resort.

   • Pets
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Standard (Tent/RV)
   • Market
   • Trash

   $23 - $28 / night

3. 

   3.

   Baker Creek Campground

   10 Reviews

   36 Photos

   75 Saves

   Big Pine, California

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Phone Service
   • Reservable
   • RVs
   • Tents
4. 

   4.

   Pleasant Valley Campground

   12 Reviews

   20 Photos

   52 Saves

   Bishop, California

   Pleasant Valley Campground provides year-round fishing in the Owens River and the Diaz Lake Campground offers an 80-acre lake for fishing and water sport recreation. Fishing license is required. Shore fishing is allowed all year round.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Phone Service
   • Reservable
   • ADA Access
   • RVs

   $14 / night

5. 

   5.

   Volcanic Tableland BLM Dispersed Camping

   10 Reviews

   15 Photos

   312 Saves

   Bishop, California

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Phone Service
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Standard (Tent/RV)
6. 

   6.

   Tuttle Creek Campground

   35 Reviews

   96 Photos

   572 Saves

   Alabama Hills, California

   Open year round. $10/night, no reservations available for individual sites. 83 sites/tent and pull through trailer spaces. Campground is shadowed by some of the most impressive peaks in the Sierra Nevada Range: Mt. Whitney, Lone Pine Peak and Mt. Williamson rise to the west of the campground. To the east is the Alabama Hills with its famous movie history. Beyond the Alabama Hills is the Owens Valley and Inyo Mountains Range. Camping is good throughout the season with plenty of opportunities for exploring, hiking, sightseeing. Closest amenities (groceries, gas) are in Lone Pine (4.5 miles). Elevation - 5,120 ft. Amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings and lantern holders. Water is available March-October. Dump station cost is $5.00, no passes accepted, closed in winter. One Group site for $30.00/night, reservations required, please see phone number above. Two horse corrals $10.00/night, call ahead to confirm availability.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Phone Service
   • ADA Access
   • RVs
   • Tents

   $10 / night

7. 

   7.

   Goodale Creek Campground

   6 Reviews

   15 Photos

   85 Saves

   Independence, California

   Overview

   $10.00 per site per night. No reservations. Open all year.__ Goodale Creek Campground offers 43 RV/tent sites, with five pull-through trailer spaces, maximum recommended RV length is 30 feet. All sites include a fire pit, picnic table and a lantern holder. No hook-up, potable water or dump station. Closest amenities are 12 miles north in Big Pine.

   • Phone Service
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Trash
   • Drinking Water
   • Toilets

   $5 / night

8. 

   8.

   Lodgepole Campground — Sequoia National Park

   42 Reviews

   106 Photos

   469 Saves

   Hartland, California

   Overview

   Lodgepole Campground is located in the breathtaking Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in central California's rugged Sierra Nevada range. Lodgepole is perched on the banks of the scenic and lengthy Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, at an elevation of 6,700 ft. The inspiring Giant Forest Grove and the mighty General Sherman Tree - the world's largest tree in volume - are just two miles from the campground.

   Recreation

   Forty miles of trails, including the paved Big Trees Trail, invite visitors to immerse themselves in the majesty of the ancient grove. Several additional popular hiking and wilderness trailheads are close by, including the trail to Moro Rock, a granite dome with spectacular views of the Great Western Divide and western half of the park. Tokopah Falls Trail is an easy walk along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, leading to an impressive 1200 ft. waterfall. Fly-fishing is also a popular activity on the Marble Fork.

   Facilities

   Lodgepole Campground is very popular with tent and RV campers alike. It has paved roads, flush toilets, and drinking water. Picnic tables, fire rings, and bear food storage boxes are provided at each site. Lodgepole Village is a quick, 1/4-mile away, offering, a Visitor Center, market and gift shop. Coin-operated showers and laundry facilities are not available for 2023 season.

   Natural Features

   Lodgepole pine, Red fir, and shrubs forest the campground, while towering groves of giant sequoias and craggy granite peaks dot the landscape. The Marble Fork of the Kaweah River is fed by snowmelt and flows seasonally through the site. This region is characterized by warm days and cool nights in the summer and deep snow and cold days in the winter.

   Nearby Attractions

   The General Sherman Tree, General Grant Tree, Moro Rock and Tunnel Log are nearby, as is the informative Giant Forest Museum and the Lodgepole Visitor Center.____ Colorful Crescent Meadow offers views of vivid summer wildflowers and access to Tharp's Log, a cabin in a fallen sequoia.__ Crystal Cave is Closed for the 2023 season. Tours into Crystal Cave, one of hundreds of marble caves in the park, give visitors an interesting view of rock formations, fossils, rare minerals, and unique wildlife. Tickets are required, but are not sold at the cave entrance. Reserve in advance on www.recreation.gov. Tickets may also be purchased same day, if available, at the Lodgepole Visitor Center. Crystal Cave is about a 45 minute drive (13 miles/21 km) from the campground.__ Vehicles longer than 22 feet long are prohibited on the narrow, winding Crystal Cave Road.

   contact_info

   For facility specific information, please call (559) 565-4404.

   Charges & Cancellations

   Payment in full will be charged to your credit card upon completion of the reservation. A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Additional fees will apply for late cancellations. All cancellations made between midnight on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival are considered late cancellations and will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee and will also forfeit the first night___s use fee. Cancellations for a single night___s reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. If your campsite remains vacant for 24 hours after your arrival date it will be cancelled and made available on rec.gov.___You will be charged for the first night's campsite fee and a $10 cancellation fee, all other fees after that will be refunded. Recreation.gov policies apply to all reservations, cancellations, refunds and date changes. Call (559) 565-4404 if you will be arriving 24 hours after your arrival date so your site won't be cancelled.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Group
   • Standard (Tent/RV)

   $22 - $32 / night

9. 

   9.

   Brown’s Town

   6 Reviews

   9 Photos

   63 Saves

   Bishop, California

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Electric Hookups
   • Phone Service
   • Reservable
   • ADA Access

   $27 - $32 / night

10. 

    10.

    Whitney Portal

    27 Reviews

    111 Photos

    381 Saves

    Alabama Hills, California

    Overview

    Whitney Portal Campground is in a prime location within the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains - at the base of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States. With hiking trails to Mt. Whitney and the John Muir Wilderness less than a mile away, the campground is a popular home base for hikers, as well as family, RV and tent campers who wish to explore the area's activities and enjoy unparalleled scenery.

    Recreation

    Hikers are drawn to the majestic scenery and challenging trails of the Whitney Portal recreation area. Nearby trails lead into the John Muir Wilderness and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. The campground is only 0.5 miles from trailheads to Mt. Whitney, Meysan Lake and other popular destinations. Visitors should be aware that hiking in this area may require a permit. Visitors can also hike, fish and picnic in the area around the campground. There are numerous lakes, streams and a small pond in the area for trout fishing.

    Facilities

    The campground is adjacent to Whitney Creek and just down the road from Trailhead Campground. Numerous campsites are arranged on either side of the creek, including three group camping areas and several tent-only sites. Paved roads, vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Bears frequent the area, and campers are required to use the bear-proof food storage lockers provided in the facility (all supplies must fit; dimensions are 18 inches high, 18 inches deep and 50 inches long). Firewood is available for purchase on-site, and a small convenience store with showers is nearby.

    Natural Features

    The facility is situated in a thick pine forest at an elevation of 8,000 ft. Campers can see striking views of the rugged granite peaks surrounding it. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds. This campground is especially prone to bear activity.

    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. Mt. Whitney is within the wilderness area and entry is available by lottery for experienced hikers. John Muir Wilderness

    contact_info

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

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group

    $93 / night