Fossil Falls Campground is located in the high desert region of California, positioned about 11 miles south of Olancha at 3,400 feet elevation. The campground offers primitive sites with limited facilities across a stark volcanic landscape. Winter temperatures in the Olancha area can drop below freezing at night, while summer days routinely exceed 100°F, creating significant temperature variations that campers need to prepare for.
What to do
Explore volcanic formations: Visit the unique lava formations at Fossil Falls where a short hiking trail leads to ancient volcanic rock sculpted by prehistoric water flow. "There are 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. With the face of the sun kissing the rocks expect them to get extremely hot!" notes reviewer George B.
Fishing opportunities: The Kern River near Kennedy Meadows Campground provides excellent fishing spots. "The river was refreshing. One of our favorite CG," shares Marilynn H. The area is regularly stocked with fish, making it productive even for casual anglers.
Alpine lake access: Hike to high-elevation lakes from Horseshoe Meadow for swimming and photography. "Hikes nearby from beginner to expert take you to alpine lakes," explains Katie H. The trails vary in difficulty but offer rewarding mountain scenery regardless of your experience level.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings at Diaz Lake provide opportunities for bird watching with minimal crowds. "Enjoyed the water access and incredible sunrise views," reports Lauren K. The shoreline areas attract various bird species, especially during migration seasons.
What campers like
High elevation escape: At 10,000 feet, Horseshoe Meadow Campground offers cool summer temperatures when the valley floor becomes uncomfortably hot. "It's a great spot to get away from summer heat at 10,000 feet. Vault toilets, water spigots. Lots of hiking," says Cheryl C., highlighting the practical benefits of camping at higher elevations.
Spacious desert camping: The open terrain at Fossil Falls dry lake bed provides ample space between sites. "All the space you'd want. All the service you need. Super accessible," notes Lincoln P. The flat, open landscape allows for easier tent placement and greater privacy than more structured campgrounds.
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing opportunities throughout the region. "Verizon cell service was great and stars were bright," reports Pinkie K. The dry desert air combined with elevation contributes to exceptional clarity for astronomical observation.
Morning amenities: Some campgrounds offer unexpected conveniences for early risers. "Complimentary muffins and coffee from 7-9a daily which was very hospitable and kind," shares Julia M. about her stay at Boulder Creek RV Resort, adding a touch of comfort to the rustic camping experience.
What you should know
Weather extremes: The Olancha region experiences significant temperature fluctuations requiring careful preparation. "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," warns Andrew M. about his experience at Boulder Creek RV Resort.
Water availability limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have unreliable water sources. "There's been no faucet water there in over 5 years. Pack it in pack it out," notes Mike The Bike about Kennedy Meadows, emphasizing the need to bring your own water supply.
Wildlife concerns: Various campgrounds report wildlife encounters requiring proper food storage. "We were invaded by deer mice. They got in our campervan. We killed more than 10 of them," reports Deb H. about Tuttle Creek Campground, highlighting the importance of securing both food and vehicle access points.
Seasonal closures: Facilities at many campgrounds close during specific periods. "Labor day weekend and half the campground is closed, water faucets are locked, and dump station is closed," notes K L., indicating the importance of verifying current conditions before arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Lakeside activities: Diaz Lake Campground offers accessible water recreation for children. "We only stayed here for a night, enjoyed the water access and incredible sunrise views," shares Lauren K., though she cautions about competing uses: "People were continually fishing in the designated swimming area, so you might get very little time to splash around."
Open play spaces: Look for campgrounds with open areas for children to safely explore. "Perfect for bike or dirt scooter riding or just running around on the lake bed. Perfect for dogs and kids," recommends Pinkie K. about Fossil Falls dry lake bed, noting the flat terrain provides natural play spaces.
Wildlife education opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to observe small animals safely. "Coyotes, fox, deer and if you hike high enough you might see some bighorn sheep," reports Michael A. about Horseshoe Meadow, creating natural learning experiences for children.
Sunrise viewing spots: Morning activities can engage children before the day heats up. "Beautiful site with lots of spaces for dispersed camping where you don't feel like you're camping next to anyone. The view of the Sierra Nevadas is unmatched," explains Hailey S. about the Alabama Hills area, where morning light creates dramatic mountain shadows.
Tips from RVers
Site navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have confusing layouts for larger vehicles. "It's confusing to find the campsite. No signs directing you where to go. You have to drive behind the sites and pull through," warns Julie G. about Lake Olancha RV Park, suggesting arriving during daylight hours for easier setup.
Hookup placement: Standard hookup locations may differ in this region. "Power and water are on the right instead of left," notes Julie G., alerting RV owners to prepare different hose and cord configurations than might be standard.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds with advertised facilities have functional dump stations. "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'," shares Jake N. about Boulder Creek RV Resort.
Pull-through accessibility: Look for campgrounds with well-marked pull-through sites. "Large pull thru sites but small areas to hang out around your camp," explains Rob L., noting the tradeoff between ease of parking and limited space for outdoor living areas at Boulder Creek RV Resort.
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