RV camping near Lone Pine, California offers access to the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains at elevations between 3,700-8,000 feet. The area experiences temperature swings of up to 30°F between day and night, particularly during spring and fall seasons. Campgrounds range from basic BLM sites to private RV parks with varying levels of amenities and accessibility to Mount Whitney and Alabama Hills recreation areas.
What to do
Hiking to alpine lakes: Mount Whitney Portal campground provides access to several day hikes that don't require permits. "I'd recommend the Lone Pine Trail, which leads up to an alpine lake, which is absolutely gorgeous. Meysan Lake was also beautiful," notes one camper at Whitney Portal.
Military aircraft spotting: The area near Lone Pine sits along training routes for military jets. "Jets from the local military base fly through practicing turns and passes. Cool to see," according to a camper at Boulder Creek RV Resort.
Kayaking on small lakes: Lake Olancha RV Park offers water recreation without traveling to larger bodies of water. One visitor mentioned: "The small lake was ideal for a bit of casual kayaking and nature watching - mostly birds and dragonflies. Charming and spacious, the informality of the site was a refreshing change."
What campers like
Natural sound barriers: Many campgrounds feature creeks that provide natural white noise. At Portuguese Joe Campground, "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."
Convenience to town services: Campers appreciate the proximity to Lone Pine for supplies and meals. "It's a short trip to Lone Pine if you need anything," notes a camper at Portuguese Joe, while another adds, "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."
Morning hospitality: Some private campgrounds offer unexpected perks. "Complimentary muffins and coffee from 7-9a daily which was very hospitable and kind," according to a guest at Boulder Creek RV Resort, while another mentioned, "Free muffins and coffee in the morning! Nice pool and hot tub, as well as bathrooms and laundry facilities."
What you should know
Variable facilities: Water and dump stations may be closed seasonally. At Tuttle Creek Campground, visitors noted: "Labor day weekend and half the campground is closed, water faucets are locked, and dump station is closed. We specifically chose this campground for the convenience of water and dump station."
Wildlife concerns: Several campgrounds report issues with local wildlife. "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," reported one camper at Tuttle Creek.
Cell service patterns: Coverage varies by location and carrier. "The internet worked pretty well for the most part for work emails and video and live stream. AT&T service was 2 out of 4 bars and worked just fine for us," according to a visitor at Boulder Creek RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming holes: Natural water features offer cooling options during hot months. At Sequoia RV Ranch, "Another plus for this campground is the natural spring-fed swimming hole in the North Fork of the Kaweah River, just a short walk from the campground."
Pet amenities: Some RV parks offer dedicated pet areas. One visitor to Sequoia RV Ranch mentioned: "There is a fenced dog park on-site, a nice touch. There are clean bathhouses available and a laundry too."
Kid-friendly activities: Open spaces for recreation make some sites ideal for children. "We had 2 families with 4 kids under 5 years old. They rode bikes, played in the river and ran around until they crashed every night," shared a camper at Sequoia RV Ranch.
Tips from RVers
Leveling needs: Certain sites require equipment for proper leveling. One RVer at Boulder Creek RV Resort noted: "Site 41 leans a bit to the right. Had to put one layer of pads."
Power issues: Some campgrounds experience electrical problems during peak times. "We had issues with low voltage from the electric post on site 6 which caused our RV's electrical system to cycle on and off every minute or two. The onsite techs diagnosed an issue with the city-supplied power and mentioned sites 1 through 10 had issues with power, mostly on the weekends."
Site selection: At Goodale Creek Campground, "Choose your site carefully. Some have water dripping on trees and there were many wasps around them (16,18). Site 12 is primo. The campers at the sites near the entrance were noisy but it was much quieter on the east end."
