Best Campgrounds near Keeler, CA

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.

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.

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.

After spending the day exploring we found this gem of a spot. Even had fresh water available to fill up our tanks.

There wasn’t much to this camp site…it was basically a gravel parking lot. Tent only spaces along the rear of the campground. The best part about it is that it’s cheap…only $9 with an Access Pass and in early December it was almost empty. Stayed one night and walked to the gift shop store for snacks and stickers.

We planned on staying here in our little Toyota Motorhome but when we arrived, we saw a “Tent Only” sign. The camp looked very clean and there were restrooms available.

Mountain side relatively flat dirt area to park. Has a sizable fire ring for the cold nights! Absolutely magical to sit next to the creek listening to the roaring waters! Much needed after the desert!

Hello TheDyrt Community,

The Alabama Hills on Movie Road, located in California, is a stunning desert landscape famous for its unique rock formations and breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This area has been a favorite filming location for many classic western movies and TV shows. If you’re visiting, you can explore scenic hiking trails, take photos of the iconic Mobius Arch, and enjoy the natural beauty of this hidden gem. To fully appreciate the cinematic history of the area, I recommend using and access magis tv free account to stream some of the classic films shot here. It’s a great way to connect your visit with the Hollywood legacy of Alabama Hills.

Best of Luck!!

We stayed recently when it was 116 during the day, but since the sites had electric, we gave it a shot.  The first two sites we tried had bad electrical setups. The breakers wouldn't lock in place, and kept flipping back to the tripped/open state.  No problem, since we were the only people there - we just notified management and moved sites.  They have water/sewer too, but you'll want to filter the water because of the taste.  The pool across the street was actually cold at night, even though the air temp was 90, so that was great.  

The "saloon" was being renovated and had a limited menu... I'll just say that we wished we had just grabbed some pre-packaged sandwiches from the general store instead.

Not a bad stop for staying in the park, with easy access to supplies, if neeeded.

no one else was there when we arrived later in the evening though we only camped for one night at the end of summer. no one else ever showed up either. just a few cars drove by every now and then. we were exhausted so we just opened a couple windows to the car rather than set up our tent. toilets were within walking distance/next to the parking lot but closed due to bees. port-a-potties were available instead. at night, the stars were absolutely beautiful. it was pretty hot but by opening the car windows and using some battery powered fans, we managed!

Great spot and so much less crowded than Yosemite. Bathrooms are not so great

Camped here before hiking Mount Whitney the following day. Think we got one of the only sites with a “tree,” but the grounds were well maintained and area was quite. Enjoyed camping here.

I pulled in here looking for a campsite on my way up to mammoth. I was able to find a pretty dope spot surrounded by rocks, and nowhere near any other campers. I was legit, alone.

Great place to pull off and sit on a rock to watch the sun set over the mountains. Shade was minimal, but if you hide between the rocks like they do in that scene on the fire planet in Riddick you’ll be alright til it cools off.