Best Equestrian Camping near Death Valley National Park

We didn't camp here, rather we used this as the start/finish point for our 2-day hike to the summit of Mt. Langley. It was a convenient place to park, because you drive right up to the trailhead, and there are trash cans, bear boxes, and vault toilets. We stashed some extra toiletries in the bear boxes, rather than risk leaving them in the car. Toilets were pretty clean. Unfortunately, the potable water spigots were already turned off. The national forest website said they are off in the winter, but I didn't expect that already in early September. This is an equestrian campground, so there was some horse dung on the trails around the campground.

A friend and I camped here - I as a first time real camper (in a tent that was not in my back yard), and she as a first time camper as an adult - at the end of June, and it was great for us! Our camp host Don was very nice, there was firewood available to buy at the camp site, and the bathrooms were always very clean. The bear boxes were big and easy to use, and the campfires had grills on them already, which saved us after our propane stove refused to work. It is also very close to the town of Lone Pine, which has a little market and several restaurants in case you accidentally forget anything or don’t bring enough food.

The views of Mt. Whitney are stunning, and it is close by a small but really beautiful (and so clear!) creek, though there were only a few spots that allowed you to walk to it without doing some bushwhacking. The camp grounds also have some large boulders to climb on if you are a boulderer.

Obviously, it was very hot when we went at the end of June (80s-90s in the day and fairly cold at night). Depending on your individual campsite, there may not be a lot of shade available to you, so plan accordingly if you are going in the summer. We were lucky the adjoining campsite had a pine tree in it whose shade we could steal in the afternoon.

All in all, an excellent place to go for your first foray into overnight camping or for someone who wants a low maintenance camping trip!

Stayed here a few days before hiking Whitney. Great place to acclimate, second to Whitney portal campground. We camped at one of the walk-in sites. Enough space for the 4 of us, 2 tents, and the family pup. The parking spots are only 50 yds away and next to the restrooms. The campground sits in a ravine like space so if the winds pick up it can whip through pretty good. Good trail that connects to Whitney portal on the ridge above, good for the dogs to run on as well. No cell service besides the top of the ridge if you need to call/text. I’ve been coming to the Sierra’s all my life but never stayed here. I’d come back for the views alone.

I thought this was a great campground at the right time of year. The spaces are huge and a nice distance from your neighbor. Vault toilets were kept clean, full of toilet paper and hand sanitizer. We were there in mid-March and the water was not turned on yet. Next to each picnic table was a post to hang a lantern on or anything else you may need to hang. Cell reception was pretty good.

There was very little shade at this campground which was great in March, but would be a big concern as the weather warms up. Our first night there was very windy and we realized the campsites on the southern side of the creek would have been a better choice as there was some shelter from the wind there.