Best Campgrounds near Olancha, CA

Dispersed camping options abound near Olancha, California, along the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. The Alabama Hills Recreation Area offers free primitive camping on Bureau of Land Management property west of Lone Pine, with dispersed sites scattered among unique rock formations. The region includes a mix of established campgrounds like Lake Olancha RV Park & Campground with cabins and hookups, as well as Whitney Portal and Boulder Creek RV Resort, which accommodate tent camping, RVs, and cabin rentals for those seeking more amenities.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, with some sites requiring high-clearance vehicles while others are accessible via paved roads. Many campgrounds in higher elevations operate seasonally, typically closing during winter months. As one visitor noted, "We absolutely love Alabama Hills. BLM land so you can camp anywhere. So many beautiful views. You can see Mount Whitney in the distance. 4 wheel drive isn't required but definitely recommend." Cell service can be limited or non-existent in more remote areas, and campers should carry adequate water supplies as many dispersed sites lack drinking water. Fire restrictions are common during summer and fall due to wildfire danger.

The camping experience in this region is characterized by dramatic mountain views, desert landscapes, and proximity to natural attractions. Several campgrounds provide access to water features like creeks and lakes, though availability varies seasonally. Campers at Whitney Portal appreciate the nearby trailheads and mountain scenery, with one visitor describing it as "By far the best campground I've been too... Right next to a river, where the sound relaxes you." The area attracts both overnight visitors and those establishing base camps for hiking, climbing, and exploring nearby Death Valley National Park. Night skies in this low light pollution area are exceptional for stargazing, particularly at dispersed sites in the Alabama Hills where visitors report excellent views of the Milky Way and celestial events.

Best Camping Sites Near Olancha, California (174)

    1. Alabama Hills Recreation Area

    87 Reviews
    Lone Pine, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +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."

    2. Tuttle Creek Campground — Alabama Hills

    43 Reviews
    Alabama Hills, CA
    21 miles
    Website

    $10 / night

    "Near Lone Pine, just off Whitney Portal Road, adjacent to Alabama Hills, so lots of exploring opportunities! Great dark skies for stargazing and photography."

    "Right in the middle of many trails and sites to see, not to mention a quick skip away from Lone Pine."

    3. Lake Olancha RV Park & Campground / Westside of Death Valley

    5 Reviews
    Olancha, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (442) 364-5290

    $49 / night

    "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."

    4. Boulder Creek RV Resort

    14 Reviews
    Alabama Hills, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 876-4243

    $38 - $75 / night

    "It's on the outskirts of downtown Lone Pine, but the views are beautiful of the mountains and the RV park is spacious with plenty of room to get your steps in. "

    "Very close to Owens lake(within view). 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."

    5. Whitney Portal

    30 Reviews
    Alabama Hills, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 937-6070

    $34 - $95 / night

    "Really secluded surrounded by trees, close to bathroom and water faucet. The bathrooms are clean and have toilet paper. Right next to a river, where the sound relaxes you."

    "Lone Pine Lake is your first option, about 2.8 miles from the trailhead at Whitney Portal. This is a beautiful little lake, surrounded by pines and imposing granite walls."

    6. Kennedy Meadows Campground

    9 Reviews
    Little Lake, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +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!"

    7. Cottonwood Pass Walk in Campground

    6 Reviews
    Alabama Hills, CA
    15 miles
    Website

    "Sierras backpacking trip. restrooms and bear lockers are provided. use them as there is a lot of bear activity. cover any odorous items in your vehicle. pretty campground with tons and tons of trees. steps"

    "The trail head camp ground was very nice and well maintained. Vault toilets and fresh water with plenty of access to bear boxes to properly store your food."

    8. Diaz Lake Campground

    15 Reviews
    Alabama Hills, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 873-5577

    $14 - $35 / night

    "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."

    "Was able to find spot next to lake in tent only section. Looks like place was full for Labor Day with reservations but was still pretty clean."

    9. Fossil Falls Campground

    14 Reviews
    Little Lake, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +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."

    10. Horseshoe Meadow Campground

    5 Reviews
    Alabama Hills, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 876-6200

    $6 / night

    "Many campgrounds close to each other but not on top. Cast meadow to the west is wonderful for morning walk with coffee. Hikes nearby from beginner to expert take you to alpine lakes."

    "This is a walk-in campground designed primarily for the backpackers who use this as a jumping off point for trips."

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Recent Reviews near Olancha, CA

807 Reviews of 174 Olancha Campgrounds


  • Bull D.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Horse Meadow Campground

    Horse Method Campground

    went there on a picnic once, nice place, very quiet,

  • Julianne M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Leavis Flat Campground

    Beautiful River Campsite

    This is a beautiful campsite right off of the road next to a beautiful river. You can hear road noise, but the river mostly drowns it out. There is a $15 fee per day and $7 per additional car. There are plenty of trash cans and the 2 pit toilets were clean and stocked. There is a "hot spring" about 150 yards above the campsite that is about knee deep.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Minietta Road

    Silence & Solitude!

    I loved boondocking here in Panamint Valley. The road is really long, so I’m sure there are a lot of spots. Most of them seem to be spread out 1/4 mile or so. The valley is known for having ZERO background noise, so the only sound you’ll hear are the occasionally car, the ravens, and the Hornet fighter jet that flights overhead. At night, you get an unmatched view of the stars and Milky Way because there’s no light pollution.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Fairview Campground

    If you need a place to crash

    Not particularly nice, clean, or scenic. Perfect place to crash for the night but not great otherwise

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Django Free Dispersed

    Nice location but diffucult to find a spot

    It’s a beautiful spot, but if you come late it’s incredibly difficult to find a spot in the area due to camping restrictions. For many spots, 4x4 is recommended.

  • Izzy C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Pinto Peak View Camp

    This is non existent

    Pulled up to this spot late at night to discover nothing here. Previous review sites coordinates over and hour east of here. Very disappointing

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Inyo / Lower Grays Meadow Campground

    Upper gray meadows

    Has 38 sights mix of rv and tent sights very narrow sights longest trailer 24 feet beautiful view trees and a creek

  • John L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Fossil Falls Campground

    Very rocky terrain

    Nice for a night or two lots of spots but close together some are more level than others, saw all types of campers from vans to trailers and my lifted Motorhome


Guide to Olancha

Dispersed camping near Olancha, California provides access to over 10,000 feet of elevation change between desert floors and Sierra Nevada peaks. The region sits at the intersection of the Great Basin Desert and Sierra ecosystems, creating dramatic temperature variations that can exceed 40°F between day and night. Most sites lack potable water, with camping opportunities ranging from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry locations along Highway 395.

What to do

Hiking to alpine lakes: From Horseshoe Meadow Campground, access trails leading to pristine mountain lakes. "Hikes nearby from beginner to expert take you to alpine lakes," notes Katie H., who recommends morning walks across the meadow with coffee before tackling more challenging terrain.

Fishing in stocked waters: Kennedy Meadows offers seasonal fishing opportunities near the South Fork Kern River. "The fishing was great. The campground was empty and we were basically alone. Found a general store down the hill and had a community pot luck for 5 bucks," shares Stacie M., highlighting winter solitude despite cold temperatures.

Stargazing at night: The dark skies above Fossil Falls Campground provide excellent astronomical viewing. "The stars were amazing and the sunrise was on point too," reports Laura, who appreciated the quiet despite neighboring campers. The $6/night fee makes this an affordable option for overnight astronomy sessions.

Acclimating before Whitney trek: Use Cottonwood Pass Walk-in Campground at higher elevations to prepare for bigger hikes. "We stayed here the end of August before backpacking Mt Langley and Whitney. It's a great campsite to stay at to acclimate ahead of time for your trips and to get a good early start on the trail," recommends Kristen C.

What campers like

Mountain views: Campers at Lake Olancha RV Park & Campground appreciate the panoramic scenery. "A lovely site, both scenic and peaceful. The small lake was ideal for a bit of casual kayaking and nature watching - mostly birds and dragonflies," reports Barrie M., who enjoyed riverside overlooks with seating and grills.

Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated sites. At Tuttle Creek Campground, Leonard H. notes "Good spacing between most sites. Packed dirt roads around campsites in good condition. Picnic tables have pole to hang lantern." Sites cost $10/night with half-price discounts for senior pass holders.

Geological features: The volcanic formations at Fossil Falls attract geology enthusiasts. "Great place to explore during the day and see the lava rocks!" says Ciara C., while Randall A. adds, "Fossil Falls is a unique and beautiful place." The short hiking trail through ancient lava fields leads to dry lava falls.

Primitive experience: Kennedy Meadows Campground offers basic camping without modern amenities. "It does sit beside the lower fork of the Kern River. The forest service hasn't managed it in years... There's been no faucet water there in over 5 years. Pack it in pack it out," advises Mike, explaining it's essentially "dispersed camping with a fee."

What you should know

Seasonal closures: Many higher elevation campgrounds close during winter. Check operating dates before planning trips. "Campgrounds in higher elevations operate seasonally," with Whitney Portal open "April 23 to October 30" according to campground information.

Limited facilities: Diaz Lake Campground offers lakeside camping with basic amenities. "Amenities are slim, but I don't mind the rugged camping. At only $14 a night, it's perfect for those that just need to sleep a couple hours in peace and move on," explains Shanna P., though noise can be an issue as "this is a local hot spot, and there was loud trucks coming in and out in the late hours blasting music."

Wildlife concerns: Bears and smaller mammals frequent many campgrounds. At Tuttle Creek, Deb H. reports, "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."

Road conditions: Access to some sites requires careful driving. Leonard H. notes Fossil Falls has a "Packed dirt road last 1/2 mile starting to have minor wash-boarding but still good condition," while Philip D. found it "surprisingly rocky upon entering the park and made pulling our camper through there a bit more of a mission."

Tips for camping with families

Seek sites with water features: Boulder Creek RV Resort offers a pool for cooling off during hot summer months. "Easy to get to, pull through sites, pool to cool off (so hot in the summer). We would stop here again," shares Jess N., who used the location as a convenient stopover.

Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds experience significant noise issues. At Diaz Lake, Lauren K. notes they "did not enjoy the close quarters with other campers who were blasting music until the early hours of the morning," adding that "people were continually fishing in the designated swimming area."

Plan for extreme temperatures: Desert camping near Olancha brings weather challenges. "It was above 100 degrees so pulled in at 5 and left by 9:30 next morning," reports eli R. about Diaz Lake, while Andi found Fossil Falls "very very windy, enough I wouldn't have been comfortable in a tent."

Check cell service availability: Connectivity varies throughout the region. At Boulder Creek RV Resort, Jake N. reported AT&T service was "2 out of 4 bars and worked just fine for us," while at Fossil Falls, M W. confirms "Cell service, great for star gazing."

Tips from RVers

Look for pull-through sites: Boulder Creek RV Resort offers convenient access for larger vehicles. "Large pull thru sites but small areas to hang out around your camp," notes Rob L., explaining it's popular with travelers passing through on Highway 395.

Check dump station status: Services may change without website updates. Jake N. warns, "The Dyrt listing shows they have a dump station but when we stopped in after a trip to Alabama Hills we were informed their dump station was no longer 'operational'."

Confirm hookup placement: Lake Olancha RV Park setup may require adaptation. Julie G. notes "power and water are on the right instead of left," which can cause issues for RVs with standard hookup configurations.

Consider site layout: Some campgrounds have challenging navigation. At Lake Olancha, "It's confusing to find the campsite. No signs directing you where to go. You have to drive behind the sites and pull through," according to Julie G., who found the sites small and tightly packed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Olancha, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Olancha, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 174 campgrounds and RV parks near Olancha, CA and 50 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Olancha, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Olancha, CA is Alabama Hills Recreation Area with a 4.7-star rating from 87 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Olancha, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 50 free dispersed camping spots near Olancha, CA.

What parks are near Olancha, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Olancha, CA that allow camping, notably Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.