The Keeler area sits between the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada and the Inyo Mountains at an elevation of around 3,600 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F while winter nights often drop below freezing. RV campgrounds near Keeler, California offer varied terrain from arid desert landscapes to mountain settings with dramatic elevation changes that affect camping conditions throughout the year.
What to do
Hike to alpine lakes: Whitney Portal Campground provides access to several day hikes that don't require permits. "I'd camp here to hike Meysan Lakes and the start of the Whitney trail to Lone Pine Lake, neither of which require permits for day hikes. It's a great camp for acclimatization," notes one Whitney Portal visitor.
Explore movie filming locations: The Alabama Hills area near Tuttle Creek Campground offers unique geological features seen in many films. "Absolutely beautiful and cute campground... First come first serve," writes one camper, with another noting its proximity to "the Alabama Hills... view of Eastern Sierra that has been seen in movies such as Iron Man."
Night sky viewing: Death Valley's dark skies provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. A visitor to Panamint Springs Resort reports, "The night we stayed was a new moon, so the dark sky views were INCREDIBLE. We saw the milky way with our bare eyes sitting on the porch of our cabin."
What campers like
Stream sounds and shade: Portuguese Joe Campground features a creek running through the property. "The little stream is great for cooling off," mentions one camper, while another appreciates that "the creek running through it provided nice background noise while you slept. Plenty of stores and places to eat near by if you need them."
Wildlife viewing: Camp Nelson offers encounters with local wildlife in a forested setting. "Beautiful and quiet little campground with sequoia trees all around. Saw deer in and around the campground almost daily," shares one reviewer who rated the campground highly.
Convenient store access: Many appreciate having supplies within walking distance. "Large, had a store, clean spacious bathrooms, and good views! Jets from the local military base fly through practicing turns and passes. Cool to see," notes a visitor at Boulder Creek RV Resort.
What you should know
Mouse activity: Some campgrounds report rodent issues. A camper at Tuttle Creek warns: "Beautiful campground... Clean pit toilets. Stunning views. But we were invaded by deer mice. They got in our campervan. We killed more than 10 of them... There was a poster on the vault toilets warning about hantavirus in the area."
Wind conditions: Exposed desert campsites can experience severe winds. At Stovepipe Wells Campground, one visitor notes it's "basically a gravel parking lot... No privacy or shade trees. Best tent sites along back row." Another camper at Boulder Creek RV Resort reports, "We had a lot of wind that came blowing up the valley from the south. There is very little protection for the tent campsites. Almost killed the tent."
Variable amenities: Facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. At Lake Olancha, a camper reports: "This resort is really just a place to park with hookups. The lake is a large pond and it's beautiful but there is only one small restroom with one small shower with barely room to change."
Tips for camping with families
Cooling options: Summer heat requires planning for temperature management. "We stopped here for a night going to and from Tahoe to break up the trip. Easy to get to, pull through sites, pool to cool off (so hot in the summer). We would stop here again," notes a visitor at Boulder Creek RV Resort.
Wildlife education: Turn wildlife sightings into learning opportunities. "Charming and spacious, the informality of the site was a refreshing change. Owing to it being quiet, we spent most of our time there in one of the riverside overlooks that provided seating, a table & a grill (as well as being a vantage point for watching nature and launching the kayaks," explains a Lake Olancha visitor.
Food planning: Limited restaurant options require advance meal preparation. A camper at Portuguese Joe Campground notes: "Since it's only 1 mile from lone pine there are plenty of restaurant to choose from for lunch and dinner. Lone Pine Pizza is really good."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Bring adequate leveling equipment for uneven sites. At Stovepipe Wells Village RV Park, a visitor reports: "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."
Water quality concerns: Filtered water is recommended. "They have water/sewer too, but you'll want to filter the water because of the taste," advises an RVer at Stovepipe Wells Village RV Park.
Overnight temperature swings: Prepare for significant day-to-night temperature changes. "Summers are hot here and winters are cold. There is a small town a couple miles away and Mt Whitney is just up the hill as well as the Alabama Hills. 2 great places to visit," suggests a Boulder Creek visitor.
