Lone Pine, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Lone Pine, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Lone Pine. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
$34 - $95 / night
"We parked our rig and looked around and were speechless. Whitney Creek runs through the campground, and the Sierra Nevada mountains rise up all around it."
"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. "
$14 - $35 / night
"We had the lake to ourselves and we could launch our canoe directly from campsite #112. "
"This is a great driving reprieve from traveling along the 395! A lovely little lake surrounded by giant oak trees that offer lots of nice shade to spend time resting."
$31 / night
"Even if you are just going to day hike, it provides access to incredible country. "
"Lots of cool hikes nearby, including waterfalls and the Kearsarge Pass. The views are unreal. It gets cold at night so make sure you come prepared."
$32 / night
"Be prepared for a LONG drive to get anywhere.
The campsite was amazing!!! You are nestled by the river and under beautiful big trees."
"Beautiful campground close to the ranger station, surrounded by pine trees and rivers."
$32 / night
"There are a lot of camping options in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, especially if you are willing to be a little further away from the big trees."
"Sheep Creek Campground is close to the river and a tributary of it runs very close to the North End. It is about half a mile from the General Store and ranger station."
"This is one of my favorite here in sequoia national park south entrance by gen hi way. Park rangers were so helpful at the entrance and they are well organized."
"The lake isn't too cold if you want to rinse or just cool off. Plenty of tree coverage for both some shade and to hang your food."
$34 - $233 / night
"It was very clean and there is a bunkbed with two full size beds and another separate full size bed. The bathrooms were also kept very clean."
"We arrived on a Sunday and there were first come first serve campgrounds available. We stayed one night but there were plenty of spots to choose from."
$50 - $70 / night
"Bathrooms were kept clean. It is at the bottom of the canyon so if you want to do the activities up in Sequoia National Park it is about a 2 hr drive each way."
"The moment you’re on that winding highway and see the reddish color of a sequoia tree, the feeling is unspeakable.
This Park has everything you need, from food, trails, and views."
$32 / night
"We arrived Fourth of July weekend and the drive down to the campground is absolutely stunning! We stayed at site 120 which was very spacious and partially shaded."
"Moraine (campsite) has quite a few spots but is very secluded because it is the furthest (or close to it) distance from the general store."
$34 - $72 / night
"Probably could have secured a first-come-first-served site within Sequoia NP, but rather have the comfort knowing our site was waiting for us after a 6 hour drive up to Sequoia National Forrest."
"While I did not camp here, I did drive through and checked out the sites.
I was looking to get a bit further on my driving or I would have happily set up camp. "
TravelerWe parked our rig and looked around and were speechless. Whitney Creek runs through the campground, and the Sierra Nevada mountains rise up all around it. For those hardy souls who want to hike up Mount Whitney, the highest point in the Sierra Nevada range, this is the place to start. For the rest of us, it was just an amazingly beautiful place to spend a couple of nights, do a little fishing and a little hiking. One caveat is that it is at 8,600 feet and the road up from Lone Pine is pretty scary.
TravelerBears 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.
The Whitney Portal store is a stroll away with famously good food, run by the same family since before I was a ranger there back in the 1990s. They have some last minute supplies too, if you discover you forgot anything from rain gear to a stove canister.
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. The National Rec Trail gets overlooked, but showcases the transition from forest at the Portal to desert scrub at the bottom, following the stream, albeit from a neighboring ridge.
I'd also consider other campgrounds in the area, as there's a fair bit to do around Lone Pine for such a small town, and the 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.
The bears and popularity of the Portal limit my enthusiasm for it a bit, but the positives of a store and restaurant, showers, and great hikes make camping here worth the effort for a few days. It's certainly a great way to get used to the thinner air if you're then headed for the back country.
If one had the luxury of time and the luck/good planning of getting reservations for Cottonwood as well as Whitney Portal, I'd check out both for additional hiking and fishing, as well as the Alabama Hills, which offer free boon docking.
The whole Owen's Valley is one great opportunity after another for all sorts of outdoor sports and enjoyment, but Lone Pine has more than its share of nearby attractions and the Whitney Portal is high on that list.
RangerWe arrived Fourth of July weekend and the drive down to the campground is absolutely stunning! We stayed at site 120 which was very spacious and partially shaded. The river was a lot lower than I have seen the past few times I have been here 4 years ago. Therefore there was a lot of people playing in the river. There are flushable toilets at the campground but no electricity so bring your flashlights. This campground is located towards the end of the road and it’s a great location being close to roaring river trailhead and zumwalt meadows and roads end trail. Cedar grove is just a few minutes away where you can get some groceries or little souvenirs. The campground was extremely packed and filled with families. For campers looking for peaceful camping I do not recommend this campground. But since I have a new son whose 9 months old, I was fine with the noise. Quiet hours were respected and that’s the most important part. I loved the location of the campground as you look around you are surrounded by beauty and you’re right in the canyon!
GuideSentinel was the only campground available for a visit to Kings Canyon and Sequoia. Be prepared for a LONG drive to get anywhere.
The campsite was amazing!!! You are nestled by the river and under beautiful big trees. The site was spacious with a picnic table, fire pit and bear box.
The restroom is dated, but it’s a flush toilet and running water, which is a gift. They do have a sink to clean dishes.
I found it to be pretty quiet. Most sites were dark shortly after sunset. A lot of people were up and out early in the morning. So many amazing hikes and walks to do within the two parks.
Rangerthis is a great campground to use as a base camp before you summit Whitney. The staff is friendly and helpful and the portal is just a few minutes away with the store and small restaurant. Lone Pine is close about a 10 minute drive away.
GuideStayed probably 10 nights here this season between February and May. It can fill up quickly in the afternoon or evening, so plan to arrive early and, if going out to play, leave something to indicate your site is occupied.
This is tent only but I’ve slept in my small truck camper here and many sleep in vans or vehicles. I’ve seen quite a few small RVs here too.
Water is not potable year round, will be deemed not potable and/or shut off mid-May per convo with NPS employee. Fill at Stovepipe, Panamint, or elsewhere in summer. Showers, pool, WiFi available 10-ish miles away at Stovepipe for $10. No cell service at camp. Spotty 3G at Stovepipe.
Bathrooms are clean with no noticeable mold. Site can get VERY windy. Take care of your stuff. I’ve saved multiple tents here that weren’t properly secured while their owners were out for the day.
No shade here and the road can be loud. Traffic fumes can also be a factor, depending on wind direction, for those who are sensitive when people using the rest stop leave their rigs idling.
Overall, I recommend this spot as a single night or two but not for much more than that. It’s a great base close to showers but far enough out of the busier campgrounds and crowds.
RangerCamped here in spring when it first opened for the season. COLD and snow flurries, but still such a memorable and great experience. Most sites seem to be well spaced out and good amount of privacy. Lots of sites are along the stream. Great access to Mt Whitney trailhead. Hiked to Lone Pine Lake with my pup (no permits needed and dogs allowed up to here). Lots of snow, spikes were handy.
GuideWhitney Portal Campground is located in the Inyo National Forest. It is the access point for anyone to hike / climb Mount Whitney. The campground itself has may RV and tent sites, but reserve plenty in advance as it fills up quick. If you are planning on hiking from the portal they do have one night only campsites for the hikers just outside the parking area at the portal. Just make sure you get a parking pass from the Forest Service office in Lone Pine. On the Trail there are three distinct places to camp. Lone Pine Lake is 2.4 mile is and is a nice unimproved camp area with a beautiful lake. Outpost camp is about another 1.5 miles up and is in a grassy meadow with a stream, also unimproved. The last camp area before summitting is Trail camp. It is 6 miles in from the portal, there is a small lake for a water source (use a filter). This is above tree line and the ground is hard with granite rock, so a tent wont stake. We used rocks instead and tied off with guide lines. This whole area, from the portal campground to the summit is amazing. The portal also has a small store and cafe. Food is awesome, Highly recommend.
GuideBecause 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.
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Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Lone Pine, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Lone Pine, CA is Whitney Portal with a 4.8-star rating from 29 reviews.
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