D
Debra P.
Guide
GuideWhitney Family Campground
Camped next to stream!
Beautiful campground. Camp Host is super friendly and the grounds are well kept. We camped in Spot 22, maybe 10’ from stream.
Discover Top Little Lake, CA Campgrounds & Campsites
Camping options around Little Lake, California range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites on public lands. The area includes Fossil Falls Campground, which offers tent and RV sites with picnic tables and vault toilets, and the nearby Fossil Falls dry lake bed for more primitive camping. Alabama Hills Recreation Area, approximately 40 miles north, provides free dispersed camping with stunning mountain views. Kennedy Meadows Campground, situated in higher elevation terrain, features tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with basic amenities including drinking water and firewood availability.
Road conditions and seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this high desert region. Most established campgrounds remain open year-round, though summer brings intense heat while winter nights can drop below freezing. Many dispersed areas require high-clearance vehicles to navigate unpaved roads, particularly after rain. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near towns and limited or no service in remote areas. Water availability is restricted primarily to developed campgrounds, with no potable water at most dispersed sites. "It's a very out of the way place to plant yourself if you are looking for space. There isn't however, potable water or shade unless you bring your own," noted one visitor about the nearby Trona Pinnacles area.
Campers consistently highlight the dramatic landscapes and stargazing opportunities as major draws to the region. The stark desert terrain contrasts with snow-capped mountain views, creating memorable camping backdrops. Little Lake's campgrounds offer access to unique desert landscapes that attract campers seeking solitude and natural beauty. Several visitors mentioned the solitude available at dispersed sites, with one noting that "it's easy to social distance when you need binoculars to see most of the fellow campers in the area." Proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities enhances the camping experience, with hiking trails, rock formations, and off-road vehicle areas accessible from many campsites. Developed campgrounds tend to fill quickly during spring and fall weekends when temperatures are most moderate, while summer camping requires careful planning for shade and water. Winter camping remains possible but requires preparation for cold overnight temperatures.
Best Camping Sites Near Little Lake, California (180)
1. Fossil Falls Campground
13 ReviewsLittle Lake, CA3 milesWebsite+1 (760) 384-5400$6 / night
"A very cool and Very unique spot in Southern California. Places to walk around places to climb around. If you plan on doing any rock climbing then you’re planning on doing this in the morning."
"Just off the highway and easy to get to. The volcano in the distance is beautiful and fossil falls is so unique…lots of room to explore the lava flows."
2. Fossil Falls dry lake bed
12 ReviewsLittle Lake, CA3 milesWebsite"Overnight stay driving through. Easy access. Level parking areas. I stopped close to 395 & had no noise from road. Slept well with strong night winds."
"We landed here and drove thru the FF campground, which we knew was closed but wanted to check it out, and pulled out onto the dry lake bed area to spend the night. "
3. Kennedy Meadows Campground
10 ReviewsLittle Lake, CA15 milesWebsite+1 (760) 379-5646"Great family vacation to get away from everything. Cabins are rustic but have everything you need. Plenty of tent camping in the campgrounds before the lodge."
"Adventure Awaits folks get outside!"
4. Chimney Creek Campground
5 ReviewsLittle Lake, CA10 milesWebsite+1 (661) 391-6000"If you like to stay off the beaten path and away from crowds. The this is a spot to check out. Stayed memorial weekend. We were one out of about 5 campers in the area."
"are open (at least 1, maybe 2) water appears to have been turned off. on plus side many sites have nice shade, but bugs are a problem in summer because of small creek. overall a great place to get away from"
5. Sequoia National Forest Fish Creek Campground
4 ReviewsJohnsondale, CA19 milesWebsite+1 (760) 376-3781$17 / night
"There's some great fishing near by too."
"You put your fees (cash or check) in an envelope at the entrance and tear off a flap to clip at your site while you are there, as well as a hang tag for your vehicle."
6. Rivernook Campground
28 ReviewsKernville, CA31 milesWebsite+1 (760) 376-2705$45 - $75 / night
"We tent camped and our site was close to the rv hook up sites. The rv sites have two different sizes and hookups. Tent sites had access to running water."
"We loved this river spot even though we were next to one of the smaller parts rather than the main river. If you can try and get one near the main river as it is more picturesque. "
7. Alabama Hills Recreation Area
88 ReviewsLone Pine, CA47 milesWebsite+1 (760) 872-5000"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."
"Alabama Hills California presents a varied landscape. From the picture above you can plainly see the desert floor to MT. Whitney, snow capped in March of 2018."
8. Walker Pass Campground
4 ReviewsOnyx, CA20 milesWebsite+1 (661) 391-6000"Just off the highway, there are two designated vehicle campsites, however, there are several places to park your car and walk a short distance into a tent site."
"This is a stop along the Pacific Crest Trail. The scenery is an amazing mix of Joshua Trees, pines, chaparral, mountains and large rocks, some snow on the peaks facing north."
9. Troy Meadow Campground
3 ReviewsJohnsondale, CA20 milesWebsite"**Troy Meadows is not as well-known as the campgrounds around Mt."
10. Long Valley Campground
1 ReviewOnyx, CA16 milesWebsite+1 (661) 391-6000
Recent Camping Photos near Little Lake, CA
284 Photos of 180 Little Lake Campgrounds
cal K.
Fossil Falls Campground
paul B.
Chimney Creek Campground
Erin M.
Kennedy Meadows Campground
Nicholas G.
Sequoia National Forest Fish Creek Campground
Joseph N.
Vakinheim
Jessica P.
FR 22S05 - Dispersed Site
Lake O.
Lake Olancha RV Park & Campground / Westside of Death Valley
Rick O.
Horse Meadow Campground
Jessica P.
Ant Canyon
Nikita B.
Lake Isabella-Kern River KOA
David H.
KRS RV Resort@Camp James
Jennifer S.
Rivernook Campground
Recent Reviews near Little Lake, CA
863 Reviews of 180 Little Lake Campgrounds
- Carly S.Guide
Stine Cove Recreation Site
Beautiful easy lakeside
Pulled in late on a Sunday evening and got lucky with a spot. Absolutely gorgeous camp right along Isabella Lake with beautiful mountain views. The stars at night were spectacular. There is one decently clean pit toilet and dumpsters when you pull in. The only complaint I have for this campsite is that there was trash everywhere. I believe one of the dumpster lids got blown open. For the future everyone please make sure you bring your own trash bags and bag up your own trash in case the lids blow open or are left open. Other campers and ourselves did our best to clean up Remember to always leave it better than you found it😊 happy camping!
- LLorie S.
ScoutFrandy Park Campground
Management is horrible
We have been coming to this campground as a large family group for years, and while the location itself is great, this review is specifically about the management experience, which has unfortunately become the defining part of our visits. Over Memorial Day weekend, what should have been a relaxed, family-oriented trip turned into an exhausting and uncomfortable experience due to the way situations were handled by management. From the moment our group began arriving, interactions felt unnecessarily confrontational. One family member, after completing a long drive with young children, was immediately questioned and asked to provide documentation regarding their RV, despite ultimately being within the stated limits. Even after being proven correct, the tone did not shift. At 6 a.m. the following morning, management knocked on their RV and required them to move sites, which could have been handled in a far more respectful and reasonable way. While we understand that rules exist and adjustments sometimes need to be made, the manner in which these situations were approached created an uncomfortable atmosphere from the start. That family ultimately chose to leave early because they no longer felt welcome. Later in the weekend, additional members of our group arrived after hours. While this may have technically violated the posted arrival policy, the complete lack of flexibility or basic courtesy was disappointing.(especially given that this is a long-standing, returning group) Rather than offering a reasonable solution, they were instructed to leave and find somewhere else to stay overnight. A simple, human approach could have resolved the situation without escalating tensions. Throughout the weekend, interactions with management consistently felt hostile and unnecessarily aggressive. Instead of fostering a welcoming environment, there was a pattern of talking down to guests and addressing concerns in a way that felt more about control than customer service. Additionally, the public response from management to reviews is concerning. The tone comes across as defensive, dismissive, and unprofessional. Rather than acknowledging guest experiences or showing any willingness to reflect, the response shifts blame entirely onto customers and characterizes feedback as an attack. For a business in the hospitality industry, this approach is disappointing and does not inspire confidence. To be clear, this review is not about the campground itself, it is about the experience created by management. A place can have great amenities, but if guests feel uncomfortable or unwelcome, it overshadows everything else. Based on this experience, I would not return, and would not recommend it to others looking for a relaxed and positive camping environment.
Beverley G.GuideAlabama Hills on Movie Flat Road
Breathtaking views
This 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.
- nniiels
TravelerBrush Creek Recreation Site
Site is day use only now
Had used dyrt to plan a roadtrip, when we arrived to the site we could access the gravel parking lot but all the sections beyond that had day use only signs every 5 meters.
The area is covered in state park camping spots however. The main issue is that there is no network coverage so you would need cash to use the paid spots next door.
- nniielsTraveler
Dispersed Camp near Sequoia National Park
Forrest burned down
Did not stay here as we realized too late we needed a permit to stay here. In hindsight that was good as this section of the woods has burned down since the previous commenter.
ozzy C.ScoutFrandy Park Campground
Beverly is the worst
This is something we never thought we’d be writing after coming to Frandy for so many years. Some of us have been coming here for almost 30 years, and others for 10–15 years. This has always been more than just a campground trip for our families, it’s been a tradition, memories with our kids, friends, and years of looking forward to the same weekend together. Sadly, this year felt like watching something we’ve loved for decades completely lose what made it special. The biggest disappointment wasn’t even the campground itself, it was the way people were treated. Long-time loyal customers were spoken to with a level of disrespect that honestly left us shocked. We weren’t treated like returning guests who had supported this place for years; we felt like we were an inconvenience. After decades of coming here and bringing countless families and business over the years, to be treated that way was frustrating and honestly pretty sad. The campground itself has noticeably gone downhill as well. Bathrooms weren’t consistently maintained, the overall experience felt neglected, and the atmosphere that once made Frandy feel fun and family-oriented just wasn’t there. The place that used to feel welcoming now feels more like it’s being run with an“our way or the highway” attitude. What’s most disappointing is that Kernville is still beautiful and our group still had a great time because of each other, not because of Frandy. The only reason this trip was saved was by the people we came with. We left talking less about the fun memories we made and more about how disappointed we were with the campground experience itself. After decades of loyalty, we never thought we’d seriously consider going elsewhere, but after this experience we absolutely will be. There are too many other campgrounds nearby to spend hard-earned money somewhere that makes loyal customers feel unwanted.
Ben C.TravelerAlabama Hills Recreation Area
A piece of Heaven
Lone 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.
- DDebra P.Guide
Hanning Flat Dispersed Area
Super windy but not crowded
Plenty of space between campers. We parked about 10 feet from the water. Somewhat trashy but not the worst I have seen. The wind made the water really choppy and I think that kept any mosquitoes or flies away.
Guide to Little Lake
Little Lake sits at the junction of the Mojave Desert and Eastern Sierra regions, with elevations ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 feet across nearby camping areas. Temperature swings of 40-50 degrees between day and night are common throughout the year, making layered clothing essential regardless of season. Many camping options feature volcanic landscapes from ancient lava flows that shaped the distinctive terrain.
What to do
Explore volcanic formations: At Fossil Falls Campground, hikers can access unique lava rock formations. "Lava rocks!! A very cool and Very unique spot in Southern California. Places to walk around places to climb around," notes George B., who recommends timing your exploration carefully as "the face of the sun kissing the rocks expect them to get extremely hot!"
Fishing in alpine streams: Camping near Fish Creek Campground provides access to high-country fishing. "There's some great fishing near by too," confirms Nicholas G., who enjoyed the well-spaced sites. Many campers make day trips to creeks and small lakes throughout the region, especially between late spring and early fall when waters are accessible.
Stargazing without light pollution: The remote location offers exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. After arriving at night at Fossil Falls dry lake bed, one camper reported "the stars were amazing and the sunrise was on point too. Neighbors near by but very quiet." The area's dark skies and limited development make it ideal for stargazing year-round.
What campers like
Natural water features: Despite the desert setting, water access points are highly valued. At Fish Creek, Whitney notes: "There's a trail that leads down to the creek right from the site, which we used each day to cool down in the water." Many campers seek out these water-adjacent sites during hot summer months.
Off-grid solitude: The remote nature of camping spots near Little Lake provides a true escape. At Troy Meadow Campground, one visitor found "We had the campground A Loop to ourselves. Really nice to be out of the Valley heat." The area remains significantly less crowded than more popular Sierra destinations.
Wildlife encounters: Desert wildlife viewing opportunities enhance camping experiences. "Saw 3 rattlesnakes," reports one camper at Long Valley Campground, highlighting the importance of wildlife awareness. Jackrabbits, lizards, and birds of prey are commonly spotted, especially during early morning and evening hours.
What you should know
Accessibility challenges: Road conditions vary dramatically by location and season. At Chimney Creek Campground, Kevin M. warns: "They have primitive bathrooms. No potable water. So bring water." Many sites require advance preparation for basic needs.
Extreme temperature variations: Nighttime temperatures drop significantly year-round. At Fossil Falls dry lake bed, a winter visitor experienced "very windy with 50+mph gusts which calmed after the sun went down." Seasonal conditions can change rapidly, particularly during spring and fall.
Limited services: Most camping areas near Little Lake offer minimal amenities. Philip D. notes about Fossil Falls: "It was surprisingly rocky upon entering the park and made pulling our camper through there a bit more of a mission." Campers should prepare to be self-sufficient with all essentials.
New regulations: Some previously accessible areas now have restrictions. Emily D. reports about Alabama Hills: "The only places you can camp are designated now. Tuttle creek. Everywhere else there are signs for no camping and only day use." Always check current regulations before arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Plan around bug seasons: Insect activity varies significantly by season. At Walker Pass Campground, you'll find good access to pit toilets but should prepare for bugs during warmer months. Whitney warns: "It was extremely buggy; even with multiple types of bug spray and a Thermacell, we got bit by mosquitos and various flies all throughout the day."
Seek shaded sites: Protection from sun is essential during peak summer heat. One camper recommends at Chimney Creek: "Look for spots with shade cause it gets hot." Most campsites have limited natural shade, so portable shade structures are recommended for summer camping with children.
Allow extra travel time: Access to many camping spots near Little Lake requires navigating unpaved roads. "The dirt road to get there was totally doable in our Transit Van," notes Tommy B. about Chimney Creek Campground, but many other areas require slower travel with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Level sites for larger RVs are limited. At Rivernook Campground, Mike N. advises: "The prime reason is they have campsites directly on the Kern River. Also while camping there you will maintain cell reception, there is WiFi, restrooms available 24/7, and FREE hot showers between 7am to 8pm." This is one of the few developed options within an hour's drive.
Road condition verification: Access roads to many camping spots require advance planning. "It was surprisingly rocky upon entering the park and made pulling our camper through there a bit more of a mission," notes Philip D. about Fossil Falls, adding that "They did have pit toilets and supposedly had a well but the well pump barely pumped any water at all."
Water management: Very few camping areas near Little Lake provide reliable water sources. Laura M. confirms about Walker Pass: "There is a donation based drop box for camping fee so pay what you want or what you can afford," but notes there is no water service. Most RVers need to bring all water supplies or plan resupply trips to nearby towns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Little Lake camping area?
What amenities are available at Little Lake camping area?
Little Lake camping area offers basic amenities for wilderness camping. Based on nearby campgrounds, you can expect limited facilities. At Fossil Falls Campground, you'll find vault toilets but no running water. Most camping in this region is primitive, so pack accordingly. For more developed options, Diaz Lake Campground near Lone Pine provides shade from oak trees and lakeside camping with more amenities. Remember to bring your own drinking water, food supplies, and camping equipment as services are limited in this remote area.
Do I need reservations for camping at Little Lake?
Do I need reservations for camping at Little Lake?
Most camping in the Little Lake area is first-come, first-served. Nearby Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park operates without reservations and can fill up on weekends and holidays. If you're looking for reservation options in the general region, Whitney Portal campground does offer reservable sites. For Little Lake specifically, it's best to arrive early, especially during peak seasons (spring and fall), to secure a spot. Always have a backup plan in case your desired camping area is full.
Where is Little Lake campground located?
Where is Little Lake campground located?
Little Lake is located in the Eastern Sierra region of California, situated along Highway 395 between Ridgecrest and Lone Pine. This area sits at the southern edge of the Owens Valley, with the Sierra Nevada mountains to the west and desert landscapes to the east. For reference, it's approximately 30 miles south of Alabama Hills Recreation Area and north of Trona Pinnacles. The surrounding area features volcanic landscapes, desert terrain, and is relatively close to Death Valley National Park, making it a strategic stopover for travelers exploring California's diverse eastern regions.
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