Dispersed camping opportunities near Independence, California extend into various elevations from 3,900 feet in town to over 9,000 feet at higher campgrounds. The area spans desert conditions at lower elevations to alpine settings at higher altitudes, with dramatic temperature variations between day and night. Camping options include both established campgrounds with designated sites and dispersed camping areas on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service lands.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Independence Creek runs through Grays Meadows Campground offering trout fishing. "Nice quiet campground pet friendly and clean good fishing around the area," notes one camper. Several visitors report the fishing is productive with proper techniques.
High-elevation hiking: Onion Valley Campground provides direct access to high-elevation hikes with minimal driving. "Great car camping sites with the cleanest pit toilets I've ever experienced. The scenery is sublime. We stayed here as a first night before a several day backpacking trip in the Sierras," one visitor reports. Trails lead to multiple alpine lakes within short hiking distance.
Winter camping: Several lower-elevation campgrounds remain open during winter months when higher campgrounds close due to snow. "This campground was still open early Nov when others up the road were closed," notes a visitor about Grays Meadow. Winter camping offers solitude but requires preparation for potential subfreezing temperatures.
Mountaineering preparation: Many use Independence area campgrounds as acclimatization bases before attempting higher peaks. "In 2018, I acclimated to the High Sierra at Onion Valley for one night before a trip down the JMT. The campground is nestled in an idyllic eastern Sierra cañon with excellent star gazing," reports one mountaineer.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: The sound of flowing water enhances the camping experience at several sites. At Tuttle Creek Campground, one visitor enjoyed "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."
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution provides exceptional stargazing. "Milky Way Heaven," describes one camper at Alabama Hills Recreation Area, adding it's "Easily one of my favorite places! The views here are like nothing else, perfect place without reception, fresh mountain air away from everything."
Varied elevation options: Campers can choose their preferred climate by selecting different elevations. "We started in the lower campground with wonderful shade and the stream roaring by. Very private with large growth around us. We soon realized we were missing the gorgeous valley view and incoming thunder storm so we packed up and moved our RV up the hill to the upper campground," reports a visitor at Grays Meadow.
Off-season tranquility: Late fall and early spring camping offers fewer crowds. One camper at Goodale Creek notes: "We stayed here twice on our hwy 395 road trip from OR to Joshua Tree—once on the way down and because we loved it so much, we stayed 3 nights on the way back."
What you should know
Recent regulations changes: Alabama Hills camping regulations have changed significantly. "The only places you can camp are designated now. Tuttle creek. Everywhere else there are signs for no camping and only day use," reports a visitor from May 2023. Always check current regulations before planning dispersed camping.
Wildlife concerns: Multiple campgrounds report active wildlife including rodents and bears. At Whitney Portal, "Bears will break into vehicles with food, scraps, wrappers, etc. Even a cardboard box can invite the critters' attentions. So keep a clean car if parking there and use the bear boxes provided by the forest service."
Water availability varies: Many campgrounds have seasonal water shutoffs. "Labor day weekend and half the campground is closed, water faucets are locked, and dump station is closed. We specifically chose this campground for the convenience of water and dump station," notes a Tuttle Creek visitor.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires driving steep mountain roads. Whitney Portal's "position at the end of the road means you'll need to ascend/descend a mile in elevation over 13 steep and twisting curves every time you leave or return."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for shade: During summer months, shade significantly impacts comfort. At Lone Pine Campground, "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."
Campground terrain varies: Some campgrounds offer better settings for children than others. "If you have kids, definitely choose lower campground with shade, larger sites and creek close by," recommends a Grays Meadow visitor comparing the upper and lower sections.
Activity options: Several campgrounds provide natural features for exploration beyond hiking trails. At Lone Pine Campground, "There was a nice stream you could fish with some trout. There are a couple big boulders the kids can climb on and around."
Pest awareness: Insect activity varies by location and season. "There are pull in sites and walk in sites. All pull in sites seem to be surround by low growing shrubs and they have so many mosquitoes. The walk in site are under the conifers and are gorgeous," notes an Onion Valley visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring preparation. "Sites are pretty close to level. Packed dirt roads around campsites in good condition," reports a Tuttle Creek visitor about the terrain.
Limited amenities: Most campgrounds near Independence have minimal RV hookups. At Taboose Creek Campground, "It is dry camping but does have a few toilets and they take cards with a machine to make things easier for nightly payment... They also allow longer term stays and provide a phone number for a mobile sewage pickup for RV's."
Big rig accessibility: Size limitations affect site selection at most campgrounds. "Dispersed camping on National Forest Land. There's a mile of gravel and then another half mile of dirt road, but if you go slow, most vehicles should be fine. We towed a 30ft travel trailer with no issue," reports a visitor to Symmes Creek area.
Seasonal variations: RV camping options change significantly with seasons. One visitor notes, "Winter operation mode. No water, no host, no firewood, and no fees. Campground open date is April 25, not sure when winter season starts. Price is $25 when open."
