Looking for an adventure where you can explore Big Pine and then fall asleep in your tent? Finding a place to camp in California with your tent has never been easier. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your California tent camping excursion.
Families, friends and special interest groups enjoy Bishop Park for its access to prime fishing and its serene setting on Bishop Creek. The group campground one of the most popular facilities in the Bishop Creek Area. The campground is located near Inyo and John Muir Wilderness areas, with access to several trailheads, glaciers and lakes.
Bishop Park is an ideal setting for horseback riding, wildlife viewing, hiking and fishing. Tent sites back onto the creek, allowing anglers to fish from the comfort of their campsite. The stocked stream contains rainbow, brown, brook and Alpers trout. Similar fishing opportunities can be found just upstream in Intake Lake II.
Bishop Park, in the Inyo National Forest, extends along the North Fork of Bishop Creek. It is shaded by aspens, cottonwoods and Jeffrey and lodgepole pines. The Inyo National Forest is home to many natural wonders, including Mt. Whitney, Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes Basin and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.
A nearby resort provides limited groceries, fishing supplies and Internet access.
$94 / night
North Lake Campground is situated among the trees and adjacent to the north fork of Bishop Creek. It is a lovely campground - all 11 campsites have shade among the tall Jeffery and Lodgepole pines. Three of the sites are very short walk-in's. The remainder have small parking spots at the sites. The road to North Lke is partially paved and partially gravel and is narrow and winding. Trailers and RVs are prohibited. In the spring and early summer, mosquitoes can be an annoyance.
$20 - $25 / night
Mountain Glen is a small campground along Bishop Creek on the way to South Lake. 5 campsitesites. This intimate campground is tucked in the aspens and willows next to the creek and makes for a perfect one night stay in preparation for a backpacking trip or a week long respite from city life.
$25 / night
Table Mountain Group Campground is located 18 miles southwest of Bishop, California, along the South Fork of Bishop Creek. Here, the creek has bountiful trout to please anglers. Nearby glaciers and lakes make for incredible scenery and wildlife viewing is excellent. With over 2 million acres, the Inyo National Forest is home to many natural wonders, including Mt. Whitney, Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes Basin and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.
Located near John Muir Wilderness, the area offers access to several trailheads for hiking and horseback riding. Less than a mile up the road is the trailhead for the Tyee Lakes Trail, highlighting epic views of the Inconsolable Range and the peaks that surround South Lake.
The campground sits adjacent to Bishop Creek among a variety of conifers like Jeffrey pine. Situated on Table Mountain, the campground is part of the White Mountain Ranger District. This district alone boasts he Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, numerous 14,000 foot peaks, ancient glaciers and pristine lakes.
Take the John Muir Trail into the John Muir Wilderness and be swept away by excellent views of Devils Postpile.
$90 / night
A small, quiet campground just below Rock Creek Lake. 11 campsites.
Canyon View Group sites are located in Cedar Grove, Kings Canyon National Park, California. Cedar Grove is located on the South Fork of the Kings River at an elevation of 4,600 feet. This is a TENT ONLY Group Campground. No RV's or Trailers allowed.
Cedar Grove provides some of the best trails in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, especially near Roads End. Nearby the Kings River offers excellent trout fishing. Horseback riding is also available. Expect warm days and cool nights in the area.
The group sites are located in a cedar and ponderosa pine forest at the bottom of the third deepest canyon in the contiguous United States. The Cedar Grove area's glaciated valley features towering cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and the powerful Kings River, whose canyon gave the park its name. Two prominent rock formations, North Dome at 8,717 feet and Grand Sentinel at 8,518 feet, rise 3,500 feet above the canyon floor. Many species of wildlife inhabit the canyon as well.
For facility specific information, please call (559) 565-3792.
Boyden Cave, Hume Lake, Grizzly Falls, Mist Falls, Zumwalt Meadow, Roaring River Falls, Sequoia Groves and numerous hiking trails abound in the area. The Cedar Grove Visitor Center offers ranger-led programs including nature and wildlife presentations as well as ranger-led hikes. The Crystal Caves are about a two and a half hour (72 miles/116 km) from the campground. Reserve tour tickets in advance on Recreation.gov.
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. For group campsites: All modifications must be made at least 14 days prior to scheduled arrival date to avoid additional fees. For group campsites: All cancellations made within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date are considered late cancellations and will incur the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use 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) 565-3792 if you will be arriving 24 hours after your arrival date so your site won't be cancelled.
$50 - $70 / night
The 10,500-acre Jennie Lakes Wilderness is a lovely mixture of lakes, meadows, forests, and streams. Mostly above 7,000 feet in elevation, this wilderness contains scenic variations of alpine and sub-alpine forest of White & Red Fir, Lodgepole Pine, Western White Pine, Jeffrey & Ponderosa Pine, with an abundance of wildflowers in the Spring and Summer. The summit of Mitchell Peak is the highest point at 10,365 feet. Four trailheads access 26 miles of trails within the wilderness. Several of these trails also connect to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's enormous backcountry.
Ranger
This was stop to be able to visit Manzanar Internment camp.
Tent sites are gravel and mostly level. They all have water, a table and fire ring. Trees are still young. Very close to Owens lake(within view).
We had a lot of wind that came blowing up the valley from the south. There is very little protection for the tent campsites. Almost killed the tent.
Hosts were very helpful in getting us situated despite the need to switch sites(too many people).
Free muffins and coffee in the morning! Nice pool and hot tub, as well as bathrooms and laundry facilities.
Easy access into town for dinner or groceries.
Traveler
Ron, the host, is a gem. Went here because we wanted at least a vault toilet. Nothing was free at the national parks reservation-wise, they were logging in Sequoia so its first come first serves were unavailable on 5/15 and some of the park was closed, and we wanted not to be kicked out of Sequoia and Kings Canyon for boondocking. Has single, double, and walk in tent camp sites, no water.
Traveler
If you have an RV or prefer car camping/glamp set up this is a very nice spot. Lots of RV spots, but I chose to tent camp. Two types of tent sites, platform and ground neither of which has AC/Water. I had a platform site that was next to a little stream. There is a village store on site, showers, toilets, and water. Close to Wishon Reservoir which is great for trout fishing. Courtright is a little farther but wasn't accessible at the time I went due to fallen trees blocking the road. Attended a village church service on Sunday which was the topping on the cake for me. Lots of people around the campsites but partying is prohibited. That being said if you want a little more serene camping experience there is plenty of dispersed camping in this part of the woods.
Ranger
(My visit was in Feb. 2020) I drove in from Big Pine, it's not that bad of a drive, if you like rough roads. The drive in is no where nearly as bad as the road to the Racetrack. There are no facilities here, nothing, nada, zip, so be prepared. You are on your own as cell service is limited to nonexistent. The campsites are along the road so you can drive right up to the site. There are a few sites picnic tables and fire rings (BYOW).
Ranger
We were planning to stay at Sage Flat campground on the road up from Big Pine, but didn’t like it so we continued on to Big Pine Creek CG and we were so pleased! They had 4 FCFS sites (sites 2-5) and we got site 4. It’s a nice site, but site 5 is really close. Someone took that site on our second night but they were quiet, fortunately. The creek is really pretty and the hike up to the lakes (lakes 1-5) is gorgeous. There are 2 beautiful waterfalls on the hike. The vault toilets were overfull and very stinky. There is a camp store at Glacier Point Lodge just a short walk up the road from the campground. You can get a 5 minute shower there for $7. No cell service but at the lodge you can get 24 hours of WiFi for $10. We stayed 3 nights and enjoyed it.
Ranger
If you’re looking to camp in California, Sequoia National Park should be one of your top destinations. They have cabin and tent camping. I have stayed in both. There are trails galore and GIGANTIC trees bigger than your car. This beautiful setting is worth visiting year round and I recommend camping during the less touristy times in early Spring and Fall. You are near lakes, waterfalls, and an array of bodies of water. I recommend coming up the back end up the park for an easier ascent rather than via the 198. The 198 takes you up a steep, but beautiful, hair pin turn ridden road. If you get car sick easily, take the route through Fresno.
Guide
I really enjoyed tent camping here. I’m not a fan of the trailer camping because it’s all cement and everyone is close together, but it’s doable if need be. When tent camping, you’re under beautiful trees which I love!
Ranger
The tent camping sites were pretty small. Beautiful, but our site was pretty far away from the bathroom, water, and creek.
Guide
This is our go to place for our yearly camp out . It has a spot for everyone from tent camping to cabins.
Traveler
Great sites for small RV’s or tent camping. Very funny and welcoming camp host David Mac. Would recommend this camp to anyone looking to get away from the crowds you’ll find further north in the eastern sierras.
First come first serve.
Guide
4x4 or high clearance coming in. Long dirt road with dips and rocks. Water only flowing in winter months. Lots of tent camping spots along with 8 back in spots. Really amazing views 360 degrees. No service with Verizon.
Guide
This is a pretty campground. Lots of pines but no real vistas. Also no real level flat ground for tent camping. Sites are smallish & close together. Running water and flush toilets. 1 medium bear box per site. No showers.
Scout
Stayed three nights here tent camping , facilities were very clean and the foreman was very friendly guy. the area is great fishing and hiking though small game hunting in the Owens Valley was unproductive . Overall a great place to stay and country store has everything you need for your stay I will come back
Scout
Owned and operated by a family. Great customer service and always willing to help! Over 44 campsites between RV and tent sites. Very small and close together. FHU, quiet and close to Towns of Murphy for wine tasting and dining, Columbia, Angels Camp and other State Parks for camping. Paid showers $.25, pool and event center to rent.
GuideWe tent camped two nights here. Our site was roomy but not very level; turned out wonderfully though as it rained one entire day and no water pooled near our tent. Fresh/clean water was available. Bathrooms clean. Muir Grove is a hidden gem of a hike to a serene grove of sequoias, accessed at the end of the campground near the group sites. Fairly easy 4 miles round trip, hiked with 6 children, youngest hiker is 6; well worth it!
Guide
We usually stay in the Mammoth Lakes area but changed it up and we are so happy we did. The tent sites are small with little to no shade but the beauty of Convict Lake was worth it. The only wildlife we dealt with were deer which is much better than bears (so many in Mammoth).
We enjoyed paddle boarding, fishing, and hiking around the lake.
GuideLodgepole Campground at Kings Canyon / Sequoia is a GREAT park to do some great family camping. It is clean, well laid-out and very well maintained. I had sponsored the Sequoia National Parks for many years because of how well they maintain the parks, campgrounds, facilities and how their interpretive programs are. Hiking through the Crystal Caverns is amazing. Must do it. It is QUITE A WALK down to the caves so give yourself plenty of time to do the walk down BEFORE you go on the tour. This way if you have little ones with little legs, they get a rest and can enjoy the tour.
The lodgepole campground is very close to The Village marketplace and makes it nice for "easy camping"- grabbing items that you may have forgotten or to pick up a nice treat. They also have showering facilities at The Village Marketplace as well. It makes it nice if you plan to tent camp for any period of time.
I have tent camped here over 20+ times in a 10 year span. I do not know if they have opened up the stables again however they used to have horseback riding trips that were fun to do.
A nice little river/stream runs though the campground and it makes it nice to have "mini adventures" without having to leave camp at all.
Traveler
East Fork Campground is a large campground in the Rock Creek area down below the road. It looked like the best sites were in the trees along the creek.
Our site, #27, was in some low aspen trees and was not set up well for tent camping. The site with the tent pad, picnic table and bear locker required stepping down on some rocks from the parking area. The tent pad was small and sloped, our four person tent was wedged into the area. The people in the site behind ours has set up there tent right next our only place to fit a tent.
The bathrooms were near by and very clean.
Traveler
RV tents camp store with homemade pies with ice cream
showers toilets and the best customer service in town!
I've been camping here for 20 years
Guide
This campground is clean and quiet. There are spaces for travel trailers and motor homes with or without electricity and water and there are spaces for tent camping as well. The restrooms are clean and have showers,a small stream runs through the campground and fires are allowed. The campground is near a county park with a small lake . This is a great home base to explore the area, Toms place,Rock creek,Convict Lake, Mammoth and the June Lake loop are within 45 min. Definitely worth checking out we stay two times a year and we love it.
Scout
We tent camped here. It is beautiful! Spots are very private. Lots of trees for shade, close to the creek, short walk to the village where there is a store, restaurant, gift shop, showers. Also: lots of wildlife! There are bear boxes in every campsite use them! We saw multiple animals everyday. Nightly campground visitors are deer and sometImes bear in the summer. There is a great ranger program in the village for kids! The hike to the waterfall is easy for kids and the trailhead is in the campground. Campground is a short drive to many other trailheads in the park.
Guide
We had originally planned on camping in a free spot for the week we stayed in Kong’s Canyon, but due to the snow we weren’t able to get to them and this was the only spot that had tent sites open!
A very well taken care of campsite, with nice fire pits, picnic tables and bear lockers at all sites! Surrounded by Sequoia Trees - it can’t get much better!
The bathrooms are clean, potable water available, a nice convent store right up the road and wonderful park rangers patrolling!
Ranger
This campground is so remote that you can only access it on a single lane road that winds precariously along cliffs and through the Sierra Nevada mountains. It boarders Florence Lake, which has a small store and fishing. The dock at the lake has a ferry that you can pay for and they will take you across the lake to drop you off at the other side. This is great if you are heading out on a backpack trip and want an easy ride. The campground had tent sites with fire pits and picnic tables. Vault toilets were available.
GuideWe spent 5 days here and it was a perfect location for what we wanted to do - go to Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Jennie Lakes Wilderness. I would definitely stay here again, great place for tent camping - quiet, well-maintained and clean, fairly spacious sites. The hosts were awesome, there are nearly 50 sites in this campground - yet the hosts freshly raked each one before the new campers arrived. How nice is that! It was not too crowed, and the sound of streams running nearby was the main noise - no traffic noise. Unlike the upper Stony creek across the way, this had flush toilets and drinking water.
Pay showers, general store, and gas are just a few files away.
Ranger
This campground seems more fitted to those using campers more so than those tent camping.
I saw very few tent campers and the RV's and tow behind campers were the majority here.
I managed to grab a decent site, I think it was 36. Tucked in a wooded area not far from the restrooms. Which are flush toilets and running water. Clean and well maintained.
Site was a bit muddy and wasn't that easy to find a level spot for a tent. A bit of garbage was left on site and trash in the bear box. All sites have a picnic table, fire ring and bear box.
Noise level was higher than I prefer but then again if I'm not just hearing nature, it's too loud for me.
Pretty lakes, waterfalls and a nice area to venture around.
Traffic in Mammoth can get pretty busy.
Guide
We are currently spending a few nights at New Shady Rest Campground, and have really enjoyed the spacious sites among the pines. We had spent a few nights at the Mammoth RV Park, but we weren't happy with confined and noisy space. After riding our bikes through New Shady and talking to the friendly camp host, we decided to abandon the RV park and move. So glad we did.
Most of the sites are widely spaced out, so you're not too close to your neighbors. But, if you're in an RV or towing a trailer, pay close attention to the max length or your site. Some of the smaller sites are only suitable for tent camping.
We liked this place so much, we're coming back in August!
LegendIt's a pretty RV park. The hiking trails are great, scenery was amazing! There are fire rings and picnic tables. There is a great store that has everything you could want or need! Bathroom review, again: the cleanest! Flush toilets and coin operated showers! There are water spigots and an outdoor sink area for dishes, so helpful! Racoon and squirrels are always around looking for food, so I just use a bear can and store my food,here. It's just easier. RV sites and REALLY LARGE tent sites! Some of the biggest I've been to. The fishing was good, the only con is music is not permitted at all. Bring headphones. You will be asked to turn it off and possibly leave.
Tent camping near Big Pine, California, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the stunning landscapes of the Inyo National Forest. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you'll find the perfect spot to set up your tent and unwind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Big Pine, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Big Pine, CA is Bishop Park Group (Ca) — Inyo National Forest with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 47 tent camping locations near Big Pine, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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