Best Campgrounds near Independence, CA

Came here with some buddies in mid-April of 2025. The main road was closed past the picnic area, severely limiting the number of spots. We were lucky to get one, but every single other one was full upon arrival. Both nights! 

Otherwise, really great experience. Very tidy and great views.  There are bathrooms and trash cans up at the picnic area if needed.

Grew up camping here growing up stores in the evenings a bear getting in the dumpsters time to time late at night, chilly early mornings catching trout and cooking them by lunch. Plenty of beginner trails and historical trees that seem have been there forever and always will be

Nice campground $10 half price with senior pass. No water or dump.

Great views all directions... Most sites are very close to level. Packed dirt roads around campsites in good condition. Picnic tables have pole to hang lantern. Good spacing between most sites. Dump station closed until May. Clean pit toilets in weather protected buildings. $10 / night... $5 / night with Senior Pass.

Great location with store and restaurant a short walk away. Lake Hume not far away. Sites are normal National Forest small so no big rigs and no hookups, very popular and busy when we were there

Just a couple miles from the Alabama Hills. $10 a night BLM campground. Vault toilets. Both water and dump station are closed 80+ sites and all have great views. But no shade.

The BLM is on the Butte. Great use that view and busy. Some are pushing the 14 day limit. The County campground is down by the river. Sites are plenty and all have picnic tables and fire rings. But have lots of mosquitoes. Here the first week of April. Five dollars on the BLM, and $14 at the County campground cell signals are better at the BLM sites.

This was one of the best camp sites we've ever had. We had shade and private access to the creek. Dumpster and restrooms were close. Campsites are well spaced. Views are amazing! Can't say enough good things about this camp ground.

This place was great!  It wasn't until I'd settled down from setting up camp that I realized I could hear the white noise of the creek.  It was terrific.  The site I had (see picture) was a little close to the road (50 ft?) which was the lamest part about it (well, that and the human doody and toilet paper I saw on a walk), but people from the road could only see parts of the campsite.  It was private, stunning country.  Parts of this place are like being on another planet.

There was some well hidden garbage in the bushes, but the space is big and flat.  We had 2 cars, 2 tents, and a big mat we laid out to minimize tracking dirt.  The sun was very strong, so bring a tarp so you can create some shade.

We walked a lot on the main road, but also on some trails.  Night was dark (not great for stargazing, though) and there were wee creatures stirring in the bushes. 

Things to see: beautiful flowers (including these funky low plants that remind me of the martians from Hare-Way to the Stars), incredible rock formations, hey look, the Eastern Sierras including Mt.  Whitney!  Town is maybe 12 minutes away, and the people there were extremely nice.  Visit the Movie Museum (it was about ~hour's worth of pretty interesting.)  2.25 hours north was the Japanese internment camp, Manzanar.  My ignorant ass thought I'd be bored after 45 minutes, but after 2.5 hours, we were still exploring it.  It's solemn, and incredibly educational.  I can't recommend it enough.

Back to the campsite:  go here.  There seemed to be plenty of campsites and all the ones we saw looked great.  Although some probably required a lift; my stock WRX couIdn't get to a really good one due to same sandy ruts, so, do with that information what you will. 

I would absolutely stay here again.

The road was a little windy getting up here, but it was completely paved and we were able to get up here without any problem in our 11,000 pound class B plus Winnebago. We are on Starlink. I only have one bar of cellular so the cellular is not effective. I have AT&T. My speed test on AT&T cellular won’t even start..

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.

View the eastern sierra mountains from the comfort of your camper! Great camphost, clean toilet blocks.

Lodgepole Campground is an excellent choice for campers looking to experience the best of Sequoia National Park, offering a great balance of convenience and natural beauty. With spacious sites, easy access to hiking trails like Tokopah Falls, and nearby amenities like a market, it’s a hassle-free way to enjoy the outdoors. The cool summer temperatures and proximity to the Marble Fork Kaweah River make it a refreshing escape, though proper bear precautions are a must. If you're planning a trip, it’s also worth exploring other travel and camping resources like https://www.sportzfyhub.com/ for more tips and recommendations.