Best Glamping near Olancha, CA

Whitney Portal and Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground near Olancha offer unique glamping experiences in California's scenic Eastern Sierra region. Both destinations feature cabin and yurt accommodations that provide comfort while immersing guests in natural surroundings. Whitney Portal serves as the gateway to Mount Whitney treks, while Quaking Aspen Campground sits amidst the towering sequoias of Sequoia National Forest. One visitor noted, "The campsite was kept very clean and well organized, with an abundance of information about the hike to the top and surrounding areas." The glamping sites include picnic tables, fire rings with available firewood, and trash collection services, elevating the outdoor experience beyond traditional camping. Some accommodations include comfortable bedding and basic amenities while maintaining the rustic charm of the forest setting.

The Eastern Sierra landscape surrounding these glamping destinations offers exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities. From Whitney Portal, glampers can explore the Alabama Hills, fish in stocked mountain streams, or attempt the challenging Mount Whitney summit trail. The area features spectacular waterfalls and alpine vistas that change dramatically with the seasons. According to a camper, "It feels like every campsite is its own little mountain. It's so desolate and quiet here, definitely for those that want to be completely submersed in nature." Quaking Aspen Campground provides access to forest trails and meadows for nature enthusiasts. Both locations operate seasonally, with Whitney Portal typically open from April to October and Quaking Aspen available from late May through early October. Advance reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer months when these luxury outdoor accommodations fill quickly.

Best Glamping Sites Near Olancha, California (20)

    1. Whitney Portal

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

    $34 - $95 / night

    "Had a wonderful time exploring the area of the Alabama Hills below and was a wonderful campsite to beat the heat of the valley, at that time was over 100 degrees."

    "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."

    2. 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."

    "This is a small lake and they limit the number of motorboats to 25, which is about 20 too many in my estimation.  "

    3. Troy Meadow Campground

    3 Reviews
    Johnsondale, CA
    19 miles
    Website

    "We arrived on Sunday afternoon. The weekend crowd was moving out. We had the campground A Loop to ourselves. Really nice to be out of the Valley heat."

    "Very beautiful well kept supposedly it had just opened an hour or two before I arrived after being closed for two years. Great campground"

    4. Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground

    10 Reviews
    Camp Nelson, CA
    32 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."

    5. KRS RV Resort@Camp James

    14 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-6119

    $39 - $340 / night

    "All sites are well kept, with access to clean bathrooms and coin operated showers. Staff is friendly and available when needed. Prices are a tad high but expected with a clean upscale Campground."

    "Clean showers and bathrooms. Polite guests. Respectable to after hour policies. Ground keepers make sure everyone is happy. Full hook up sites make it easy. Shaded tent sites make it comfortable."

    6. Onion Valley

    8 Reviews
    Seven Pines, CA
    40 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."

    7. Minietta Road

    4 Reviews
    Darwin, CA
    36 miles

    "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."

    "I prepared enough food and stuff to camp in the RV about nearly 2 days. A family of 4 loved the so peaceful night there block blast."

    8. Camp Three Campground

    6 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-1815

    $34 - $147 / night

    "there is only one place for trash upon exit), but every site has a beautiful view of the mountainside and the stars, and if you get one of the good sites along the river, you're a few steps from the best"

    "Camp 3 is a good location if you can book it quickly outside of the Summer months."

    9. Redwood Meadow

    5 Reviews
    Johnsondale, CA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 539-5230

    $34 - $106 / night

    "However, it is located directly across from the trailhead to the Trail of 100 Giants, a 1/2 mile walking tour of some of the biggest trees Sequoia has to offer."

    "We arrived very late at night so no one was working but was able to grab a spot by booking at the front drop off pillar - u just fill out the paperwork and add cash in it and drop it in the pillar."

    10. Monarch Lakes Backcountry Sites

    2 Reviews
    Three Rivers, CA
    35 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."

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Glamping Reviews near Olancha, CA

132 Reviews of 20 Olancha Campgrounds


  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Sam M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2018

    Buckeye Flat Campground — Sequoia National Park

    trees trees trees

    This is a really cool little campground near the entrance of Sequoia National Park. The sites are tent only, so no hookups or anything like that. Pretty nice sites though, a lot of space. I think there can be fire restrictions in the summer since it can get so dry, so just be aware of that. As far as places go, it wasn't too pricey. I think we paid about $20 a night. There are bathrooms with running water, and the sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Each site also has storage lockers for your food, so be sure to lock it up in order to keep the bears from getting into it.

    As for stuff to do around here, you obviously have to check out the trees. Go look at General Sherman and all the other Sequoia trees. They're so amazing and honestly it humbles you a little. Also check out Moro Rock Trail. The view from the top is amazing. You'll also probably see a fair amount of wildlife while you're hiking around, so be careful of the bears. Out of all my trips to California, I've seen the most bears here in Sequoia. They are super cool creatures, just keep a respectful distance and of course don't feed them.

  • D
    Apr. 9, 2017

    Whitney Portal

    Whitney Portal great way to beat the valley heat

    Had a wonderful time exploring the area of the Alabama Hills below and was a wonderful campsite to beat the heat of the valley, at that time was over 100 degrees. The stream was flowing and had just been load with fish, the campground was open and as well as the store/restaurant. The Burger and Beer was a welcome site after a week in the sierras, the big surprise was breakfast, the single pancake was big enough to feed three people. Do not order the short stack unless you have an army of people to feed. The campsite was kept very clean and well organized, firewood for campfires and an abundance of information about the hike to the top and surrounding areas.

  • Gabby G.
    Jul. 27, 2021

    Whitney Portal

    Amazing

    By far the best campground I've been too.

    I was on campsite 044. 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. Flat ground for the tent and in no sight of other campers. Close (walking distance) to Mt Whitney Trailhead

  • Beau B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2018

    Whitney Portal

    Whitney Portal in March

    Great camp ground. no running water that time of year. Toilets were clean and bear boxes were easily accessible.

  • Ricky S.
    Jul. 31, 2022

    Lake Isabella-Kern River KOA

    Good camp to park & explore

    Overall nice site with full hookups & wi-fi/cell. Had a nice shade tree but it can be real sunny without one. Laundry right on site! Close to lake Isabella and all of the Kern. Great for last minute reservations too, online booking works

  • Kate
    Sep. 21, 2024

    Emigrant Campground — Death Valley National Park

    free, quiet campground

    no one else was there when we arrived later in the evening though we only camped for one night at the end of summer. no one else ever showed up either. just a few cars drove by every now and then. we were exhausted so we just opened a couple windows to the car rather than set up our tent. toilets were within walking distance/next to the parking lot but closed due to bees. port-a-potties were available instead. at night, the stars were absolutely beautiful. it was pretty hot but by opening the car windows and using some battery powered fans, we managed!

  • Vanessa H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2020

    Redwood Meadow

    Busy daily traffic but clean

    Stayed here on July 4th weekend. Campground is small and there was plenty of day traffic to the Trail of 100 giants across the road. No running water and has pit toilets but camp hosts kept them VERY clean and they were very helpful and managed the crowds well. Definitely have to drive around to hunt for some water to hangout in/by. I usually stay on the eastern Sierra side but thought I’d give the western Sierra a go. Not sure I’d stay again but it’s a good spot if your passing by and need a place to stay on way to your destination.

  • Andrea R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 26, 2019

    Lake Isabella-Kern River KOA

    Very family friendly and unique!

    Kern River is a great place in the hot California Desert. This place has everything to make you feel at home. Several large sites for tents or RV's , bathrooms with full showers, a pool, splashpad and water play area. They have these weird Banana bikes which were fun. I was in complete heaven when I saw the coffee bar! There is a big pavilion with cooking areas for everyone!

    This is close to several nearby attractions. They offer great wifi services. Great places if you have little ones. so much to do and all of the staff was wonderful.

    They have Cabins too! I didnt stay in them but they are pretty cute.


Guide to Olancha

The Eastern Sierra mountains frame the terrain around Olancha, California, with elevations ranging from 3,600 to over 9,000 feet creating distinct climate zones. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at higher elevations while summer daytime temperatures can reach the high 90s. Most campgrounds in the Sequoia National Forest section near Olancha operate seasonally from late May through early October due to snow conditions.

What to do

Hiking to alpine lakes: From Onion Valley Campground, access trails to multiple high-altitude lakes without requiring permits for day hikes. "There are pull in sites and walk in sites. All pull in sites seem to be surround by low growing shrubs and they have so many mosquitoes. The walk in site are under the conifers and are gorgeous. Waterfalls, tall peaks surround the campground," notes one camper about the Onion Valley area.

Fishing in mountain streams: Kern River areas offer accessible fishing spots for beginners and experienced anglers. "We explored this in completely unprepared clothing but it was so worth it. Camp spots are right in the middle of the forest, it feels like every campsite is its own little mountain. It's so desolate and quiet here, definitely for those that want to be completely submersed in nature. Fishing is allowed at the portal and there's a gorgeous waterfall that you can hike throughout," explains a visitor to Whitney Portal.

Exploring giant sequoias: The Trail of 100 Giants is located directly across from Redwood Meadow Campground. "We stayed here in October after the yurts had been taken down which was no bother to us when you're surrounded by the most magnificent trees in the world! This also meant there were no crowds and we had practically the entire campground to ourselves. Highly recommend going later in the year," advises a camper about avoiding peak season crowds.

What campers like

High elevation camping: Many sites in the Olancha region sit at elevations between 6,500-9,000 feet, providing cooler summer temperatures. A visitor to Camp Three Campground explains, "This is a great primitive campground if you truly want to disconnect for a few days. No cell reception, no WiFi, there are restrooms but no showers. Take a 3 minute walk through the woods to get to Kern River and you have a little oasis away from it all."

River access: Numerous campgrounds offer direct water access for cooling off during hot summer days. According to one camper at KRS RV Resort@Camp James, "Our family has been going to Camp James for over 10 years, and it's easily our favorite campground in California. The campsites are clean, shaded by trees, and it's right on the riverfront. During the high season, it's fun to watch kayakers and whitewater rafters screaming down the rapids."

Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife including bears, marmots and mountain squirrels. "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," notes a visitor about Whitney Portal.

What you should know

Bear safety requirements: Many campgrounds in the area require proper food storage. A camper at Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground points out, "We stayed at one of the group campsites with about 15 people total. Plenty of space and picnic tables my only complaint was that there was only one normal sized bear locker for a group campsite. Hard to fit coolers and food for 15 people into one bear locker."

Limited water availability: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water despite listings suggesting otherwise. One visitor warned about Redwood Meadow, "IMPORTANT recreation.gov and reserveamerica.com both list this campground as having water. That is NOT TRUE. There are no water fill up sites. There are also NO BEAR BOXES despite claims otherwise and the requirement that food be kept in them."

Altitude acclimation: The high elevation can cause altitude sickness for unprepared visitors. "In 2018, I acclimated to the High Sierra at Onion Valley for one night before a trip down the JMT. The campground is nestled in an idyllic eastern Sierra cañon with excellent star gazing," explains a camper who used the site for acclimation before longer hikes.

Tips for camping with families

Yurt camping options: Several campgrounds near Olancha, California offer yurt accommodations perfect for families with small children. At Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground, "It was a very peaceful and calm campground on the I stayed in one of the yurts. 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."

Water play areas: Look for campgrounds with safe water access points for children. "We stayed in site 81 in our class C RV. Corner site on a creek that ran through the campground. The creek was great to sit in to escape the heat and float down. Lots of kids and dog friendly," notes a visitor to Camp James.

Plan for temperature swings: The area experiences significant day/night temperature variations. "Was here the last weekend of September and it was COLD. Great site, friendly camp host, vault toilets, not service for t-mobile but Verizon has some signal," advises a Whitney Portal visitor about late-season camping conditions.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup availability: Most forest service campgrounds offer minimal amenities for RVs. A visitor to Diaz Lake Campground shares, "I stayed 2 nights due to high winds in the area that were bouncing my little RV all over the hwy. Campground was a great place to use as a base to check out the area. I drove up and checked out the Mt Whitney trailhead and the view was incredible. Small little lake but quite a few campsites and they all looked to be relatively level."

Access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow, winding roads unsuitable for larger rigs. "Camp sights are very close to one another not much privacy. The RV sights with full hooks up are further away from the river about 200 yards. The campground is very clean and well maintained. Kernville is less then a mile away were you can get gas diesel groceries firewood or anything else you might have forgotten," notes a reviewer about Camp James.

Free dispersed options: For self-contained rigs, consider dispersed camping. A visitor to Minietta Road explains, "Great for a night or two, heading towards or leaving Death Valley between Joshua Tree. You are literally in the middle of nowhere. No cell phone reception, amenities, nothing, not even shelter, but yet so peaceful and quiet."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Olancha, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Olancha, CA is Whitney Portal with a 4.8-star rating from 30 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Olancha, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 glamping camping locations near Olancha, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.