Best Glamping near Lone Pine, CA

Whitney Portal and Diaz Lake Campground house luxurious glamping accommodations with sweeping views of Mount Whitney and the Eastern Sierra Nevada. Nestled at 8,374 feet elevation, Whitney Portal's glamping yurts and canvas tents provide a comfortable basecamp for those exploring the highest peak in the contiguous United States. Each glamping site includes a comfortable queen bed with linens, solar-powered lighting, and private decks that showcase the surrounding granite walls. At Diaz Lake, safari-style tents with wooden floors and real beds offer lake views and easy water access. Both locations feature fire rings, picnic tables, and bear-resistant food storage. According to a camper, "The trees against the rocks and blue sky is gorgeous every time you look up. Very cool campsites nestled into the raw nature."

Several trailheads accessible from Whitney Portal glamping sites lead to spectacular alpine destinations without requiring permits. The National Recreation Trail showcases the transition from forest at the Portal to desert scrub below, following mountain streams perfect for morning coffee views. Glamping guests at Diaz Lake enjoy direct water access for swimming and paddling, with panoramic sunrise views of the Sierra Nevada. The Whitney Portal Store, within walking distance of the glamping area, serves famous burgers and pancakes, plus offers last-minute supplies. One visitor noted, "Beautiful area but if you're using the glamping sites, beware you will need to pack everything in as there is no direct access to some sites and hills on both sides provide seclusion." Reservations are recommended between April and October when these luxury camping destinations experience peak demand.

Map showing campgrounds near Lone Pine, California

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Best Glamping Sites Near Lone Pine, California (18)

1. Whitney Portal
30 Reviews
Alabama Hills, CA
8 miles
Website
+1 (760) 937-6070
$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. "
2. Diaz Lake Campground
15 Reviews
Alabama Hills, CA
2 miles
Website
+1 (760) 873-5577
$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."

3. Onion Valley
8 Reviews
Seven Pines, CA
20 miles
Website
+1 (760) 937-6070
$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."
4. Sentinel Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
13 Reviews
Hume, CA
36 miles
Website
+1 (559) 565-3341
$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."

5. Sheep Creek Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
7 Reviews
Hume, CA
35 miles
Website
+1 (559) 565-3341
$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."
6. Monarch Lakes Backcountry Sites
2 Reviews
Three Rivers, CA
30 miles
Website
"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."

7. Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground
10 Reviews
Camp Nelson, CA
41 miles
Website
+1 (559) 539-5230
$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."
8. Canyon View Group Sites — Kings Canyon National Park
5 Reviews
Hume, CA
35 miles
Website
+1 (559) 565-3341
$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."

9. Moraine Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
4 Reviews
Hume, CA
35 miles
Website
+1 (559) 565-3341
$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."
10. Princess
15 Reviews
Hume, CA
50 miles
Website
+1 (559) 335-2232
$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. "

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Recent Glamping Photos near Lone Pine, CA

4 Photos of 18 Lone Pine Campgrounds

Glamping Reviews near Lone Pine, CA

156 Reviews of 18 Lone Pine Campgrounds

J
J. S. W.
Traveler
Jun. 2, 2018
Whitney Portal
Gobsmacked
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. 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.
Jeff V.
Traveler
Jul. 20, 2025
Whitney Portal
Cool, popular, gorgeous, has lots of bears
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.

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.
Azizah T.
Ranger
Sep. 21, 2021
Moraine Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
Full of families and close drive to trails
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. 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!
Missy R.
Guide
May. 12, 2021
Sentinel Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
Amazing getaway
Sentinel 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.
Elise F.
Guide
Sep. 14, 2025
Whitney Portal
Favorite campground of all time
Whitney Portal is a magical place. The second you pull into the campground, it feels like unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been. Whitney portal is exactly what a campground should be. There is a creek that runs throughout the campground that provides perfect background noise. Even though the sites are pretty close to each other, we could not hear a neighbor once because of the sound of the creek. This area is allegedly infested with black bears, but we didn’t see any this time. Bear boxes are provided at each campsite. There are spigots for water, clean, vault toilets, and bear-proof, garbages and recycle bins. It did get chilly at night, but as long as you bundle up in your tent, you’ll be completely fine. There are tons of mountain squirrels running around the campground frequently, and they are so cute and entertaining to watch. If you aren’t planning to summit Mount Whitney. I highly recommend the lone Pine Trail, which leads up to an alpine lake, which is absolutely gorgeous. Meysan Lake was also beautiful. I didn’t have cell service at this campsite, but other areas up near the portal do have limited service, but also the city of lone Pine is about a 15 minute drive down the mountain. Overall, this is my favorite campsite I’ve ever been to. 10/10.
Andy H.
Ranger
Oct. 11, 2018
Whitney Portal
Great if you are hiking Whitney as a base camp!
this 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.
N
Niko L.
Guide
May. 5, 2025
Emigrant Campground — Death Valley National Park
Good free camping next to a road
Stayed 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.
Esther Y.
Ranger
Jul. 26, 2021
Whitney Portal
Great access
Camped 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.
Tammy H.
Guide
Sep. 16, 2016
Whitney Portal
Awe Inspiring
Whitney 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.