211 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Eastern Sierra landscape surrounding Independence, California features diverse camping opportunities ranging from established campgrounds to dispersed sites on public lands. Inyo National Forest manages several campgrounds in the area, including Grays Meadow and Onion Valley, both located within 10 miles of town along mountain roads. The Alabama Hills Recreation Area, approximately 15 miles south near Lone Pine, offers free dispersed camping among distinctive rock formations with views of Mount Whitney. These areas accommodate various camping styles from tent camping to RVs, with some sites providing amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while others offer more primitive experiences.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from late April through October, with specific opening dates dependent on snowmelt and road conditions. As one camper noted, "Grays Meadow was still open early November when others up the road were closed." Winter camping is possible at lower elevations, though services are limited. Many sites require bear-resistant food storage, with bear boxes provided at established campgrounds. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with AT&T generally providing better coverage than other carriers. Campers should be prepared for dramatic temperature swings, with daytime highs potentially reaching 90°F in summer while nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing at higher elevations even in summer months.
Creekside sites receive particularly high ratings from visitors, with Independence Creek running through Grays Meadow Campground being a highlight. According to one reviewer, "Upper Section is covered by oak trees with willow-lined trout-filled Independence Creek right through campground." The area provides excellent access to trailheads, including the popular Kearsarge Pass trail from Onion Valley. Whitney Portal, though technically in Lone Pine, serves as a gateway to Mount Whitney and offers developed camping with amenities including drinking water and a small store. BLM land west of Independence provides free dispersed camping options with minimal facilities but offers solitude and flexibility for larger vehicles, with one visitor noting, "The area is clean and very quiet, zero shade and zero amenities."
"You can see Mount Whitney in the distance. 4 wheel drive isn’t required but definitely recommend. No bathrooms or water around. A lot of old movies were filmed in the hills."
"Small town of Lone Pine- there isn't much going on, but some good restaurants- TX bbq, Totem Cafe, etc., friendly locals,Jake's Saloon and accessible to Bishop, Independence."
"I loved hearing the creek just 30 feet away from my campsite. The views were fantastic and the CG was near the rock formations and trails. Vault toilets clean, no water."
"Near Lone Pine, just off Whitney Portal Road, adjacent to Alabama Hills, so lots of exploring opportunities! Great dark skies for stargazing and photography."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Really secluded surrounded by trees, close to bathroom and water faucet. The bathrooms are clean and have toilet paper. Right next to a river, where the sound relaxes you."
"Lone Pine Lake is your first option, about 2.8 miles from the trailhead at Whitney Portal. This is a beautiful little lake, surrounded by pines and imposing granite walls."
from $34 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Upper Section is covered by oak trees with willow lined trout filled Independence Creek right through campground. Site 9 barely enough room for our two tents."
"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."
from $34 / night
Check Availability"Onion Valley is a beautiful spot tucked into the eastern Sierra above Independence. It’s a windy but not long drive back down to town. The sites were comfortable."
"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."
from $31 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $34 - $81 / night
Check Availability"Some have water dripping on trees and there were many wasps around them (16,18). Site 12 is primo. The campers at the sites near the entrance were noisy but it was much quieter on the east end."
"Over all such a perfect spot to stay away from a crowded campsite & for a fraction of the cost."
from $5 / night
Check Availability"Nice spaced out sites with trees for shade. 6 miles up the road from Independence. This campground was still open early Nov when others up the road were closed. Very attractive."
"Beautiful small campground at the foot of the mountains, easily accessed from the small town of Independence and about 45 min drive north to Bishop. "
from $25 / night
Check Availability"But we were driving all day and just wanting a nice place to crash for the night, this place was a nice choice."
"There are about 5 non reservable sites for people who just drive in like us and pick a spot. Small fee of $14 a night."
from $14 / night
Check Availability"Not that busy only had some construction vehicles driving by in the morning they are doing some construction up here currently"
"The dirt road dead ends at a large spot with easy turn around. There are off shoots of the main road to other camp spots, but we didn’t venture down to any of those."
TravelerThe Forest Service route 14S11 in Sequoia National Forest has quite a few areas that identified for camping. We found a fairly large area, with several campfire rings and is fairly flat and has an amazing view south to a beautiful ridge line.
The spots on this road are mixed of options for tent or smaller RVs. We drove into Big Meadows and came back to the spot we found - because of the view.
TravelerThis campground has amazing views, vault toilets, potable water, trash bins, and a friendly camp host! I am still here.
GuideHume Lake Campground was a beautiful place to stay in the Sierra Nevada. The campground is surrounded by tall pines and has a peaceful mountain atmosphere that makes it easy to relax. The lake is just a short walk away and offers great views, especially in the morning and evening.
The campsites were well maintained and felt fairly private thanks to the trees. Temperatures were much cooler than down in the valley, which was a welcome change during the summer. Wildlife was active around the campground, and there were plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, and exploring the surrounding area.
Overall, Hume Lake is a great choice if you’re looking for a quiet mountain campground with easy lake access and beautiful scenery. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay an extra day.
GuideBeautiful campground. Camp Host is super friendly and the grounds are well kept. We camped in Spot 22, maybe 10’ from stream.
ScoutThe Sites are in the woods and there is enough room. Restrooms are far. There is not everywhere potable water available.
ScoutFriendly staff. Free usage of a gas grill. Free usage of the washing machine.
GuideThis is my third or fourth time camping in the Alabama Hills area, this time I had no cell reception at my campsite, but could walk to get some of the road. Thankfully, not too much trash, I picked up a bit of waist tissue and broken bottles, but nothing excessive. Let’s help to keep such beautiful sacred places clean, it’s an absolute blessing to be able to come and camp here for free.
GuideThis was a nice stay in May, not hot enough to need the AC. I just barely fit into site number 32 with a 23 foot trailer and parked my F150 askew. No hook ups, but there are bathrooms and dishwashing station. Across the Generals Hwy from the park is the dump station and freshwater fill, neither of which have a metal threaded end that you can connect to your RV. The fresh water is good quality and flows out fast. I filled containers and siphoned into my trailer. Stayed 4 nights, had to run generator once to charge batteries since I was under a shade tree and solar panel is on roof. A few sites are in full sun, but most have shade or partial shade. By 10 AM most campers had checked out or left to tour the park. Campground was silent, except for nature sounds. Wild turkeys walked the campground daily, sometimes gobbling, saw one deer two days. The campground is overrun with ground squirrels. A fat one kept begging at my screen door. Lots of acorn woodpeckers and wild mustard plants with small yellow flowers that the honeybees loved. Twice hummingbirds came to my red tail lights thinking they were feeders. Beautiful hikes along the Kaweah river in both directions. If you hike from site number 14, you will see a path to Marble Falls. Be aware it is a very narrow trail and you will get poison oak on your clothes, or skin if in shorts, that you will need to wash off. Lots of small flies and gnats fly around your head, but they don’t bite, just annoying. Didn’t see mosquitoes or get bites. Next time, I will stay in a campground on the north end. Driving from the CG to the Sequoia Trees, are countless tight hairpin turns and a gain in elevation of 6000 feet. After two days of going up and back down, with little cars riding my bumper and pulling over to let them by, it was tiring. Around one turn, a buck in velvet was standing in the road, no place to go except the side, which went straight up and the other side straight down. I was going 15 mph, the speed limit, and had to drive in the middle to avoid him. I did that drive every day to see the sequoias, which are magnificent! Pictures do not capture how awesome they are.
TravelerLone Pine Campground is just below Whitney Portal and Mt Whitney. It has a creek full of trout running along side it. Small sites, with vault toilets, but beautiful and full of wildlife.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find campgrounds in Independence, CA?
Independence, CA offers several camping options in the Eastern Sierra region. Inyo / Lower Grays Meadow Campground is located just 6 miles up the road from Independence with nicely spaced sites and shade trees. For those seeking free dispersed camping, Independence BLM Dispersed provides a convenient base for exploring the area, situated along Hwy 395 between Bishop and Alabama Hills. Additional options near Independence include Goodale Creek Campground and Symmes Creek Campground. Most campgrounds in this area are accessible via drive-in, with varying seasonal availability - Lower Grays Meadow, for example, has historically remained open into early November when other nearby sites close for the season.
What amenities are available at Independence Creek Campground?
Independence Creek runs through Grays Meadows Campground, which is divided into upper and lower sections. The upper section features oak trees and willow-lined creek access with excellent trout fishing opportunities. The campground offers clean restroom facilities and potable water during the regular season (typically April through fall). During winter operations (March), the campground remains accessible but with reduced services - no water, no host, no firewood, and no fees. Many campsites are positioned right along Independence Creek, creating perfect spots for fishing or relaxing in hammocks. The creek's soothing sounds provide a peaceful backdrop to your camping experience.
How far are campgrounds near Independence, CA from local attractions?
Onion Valley is tucked into the eastern Sierra above Independence, offering beautiful scenery with a relatively short, though winding, drive back to town. For those looking to explore the broader region, Independence is positioned about 45 minutes south of Bishop and approximately 30 minutes north of Alabama Hills Recreation Area, making it an ideal central location. Whitney Portal campground, famous for its access to Mt. Whitney trails, is also within reasonable driving distance. This strategic location allows campers to use Independence as a base for exploring numerous Eastern Sierra attractions while enjoying relatively uncrowded camping compared to more popular destinations.
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