Best RV Parks & Resorts near Olancha, CA

Came here after "visiting" the other so called RV park in this area. This is a nice place and we were greeted by the friendly maintenance guy as soon as we pulled in. 

For overnighters there is a separate area from the long term residents with level pull through sites and full hook ups (20, 30 and 50amp) for $30/night.  One of us felt that being secluded away from the main park gave the overnighters area a spooky lonely vibe at night (the other of us didn't feel that way and felt fine).

There is also a self pay drop box (if you need to pay with credit card or want a receipt pay at the office) right outside the fenced overnighter area which also has an easily accessed dump station and potable water for $10 fee if you just need to dump and fill.

The friendly maintenance guy came around to make sure we had everything we needed after we set up. This is right off of Hwy 178 so there is road noise but it quieted down at night. The area is clean and there are dumpsters available as well as a laundry room which is inside the residential area. Laundry was $1.75/wash and $1 for dryer. This park is a good place to stay the night or for a chore day while traveling through.

Good cell service with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, unsure if park has WiFi available.

There's also an RV parts store next door which we did not check out.

Overall a nice clean place, nothing fancy or beautiful but a good place to clean up before heading back into boondocking.

Rv camped in winter. Not all loops open but there weren’t a lot of people there so it was ok. Lots of long rv spaces. Nearby exploring is plentiful

Remember pets on leashes on trails.

We couldn't stay at the river's edge, but instead stayed at a full hook up.  The area was under trees and quiet, but could had used a little more landscaping.  The fire pit was in way in front of the spot so it was not too private. The area was not full due to COVID and/or the time of year (stayed in Oct).  We entered from the north from 99 and noted the road was not meant for RV's but still very passable. The sites had good spacing between them.  The trail was short, but good for an hour walk to the pond.  The pond was great and this would be a good short stop over for anyone with or without kids. We didn't visit much so it may be a good destination stop for the lake. The help at the front desk was great and friendly. WiFi worked well.

A lovely site, both scenic and peaceful. Was very quiet when we stayed. 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. Owing to it being quiet, we spent most of our time there in one of the riverside overlooks that provided seating, a table & a grill (as well as being a vantage point for watching nature and launching the kayaks.

The only slight negative was that it was the only one of 10 we used on this trip that offered full hook-ups but no WiFi (5G service was adequate though). Would also benefit with the addition of more than just the single shower/toilet unit (which contrary to another review was of more than adequate size)

$35 per night with full hookups makes this place great for a night or two between longer boondocking stays. The overnighter spots are separate from the permanent resident area, the spaces are level and very clean. Staff in the office is super friendly and helpful. The office for the park is located at the RV parts building. There is also a dump station with potable water just outside the overnighter area with a self-pay station for just $10. Fantastic deal. 10/10 would recommend and will stay here again.

Had a great experience at Siesta Ranch. The proximity to Alabama Hills and the privacy and convenience of full hookups coupled with views of the Eastern Sierras sold it for me. Would stay again!

Great place for RVs and tents. Great fishing spots all over the campground. And access to floating in your tubes and hanging out at beaches in the campground

Communication with the host was amazing, we went from the Thursday before Memorial Day to Memorial Monday.  Everything was amazing.  Very quiet community.

Full hookups for our 5th wheel, spacious sites, flushing restrooms and showers if you wanted.  Starlink worked perfect, though there was wifi available.

A couple notes:

Zero Cell coverage (we took that as a good thing), but make sure to download your google map.

The drive up is a little daunting with going up the mountain, but the road was fine just take your time it will be worth it.

Because we had site 112, and it was March not July, and we could launch our canoe without any muss or fuss, and there were only a few other campers, I give this park 4 stars.  If we were here in July, well...we wouldn't stay here in July...period.  I can only imagine the crowds here after May 1.  This is a small lake and they limit the number of motorboats to 25, which is about 20 too many in my estimation.  Also, there is mandatory vessel inspection for mussels, and a $10 a day launch fee after May 1.  

So, timing is everything.  We had the lake to ourselves and we could launch our canoe directly from campsite #112.  The water is muddy, and much of the bank is not accessible from the water due to reeds, but the scenery looking at Mt Lone Pine, and Mt Whitney across the Alabama Hills is beautiful!

There was no check-in in March.  Reservations are online, and they will have your name on the post at the site when you arrive.  However, after May 1, you must have any vessel you are bringing with you inspected prior to entering the campground.

Each site will have a picnic table and fire ring and there are several water spigots throughout the campground where you can top off your tank.  However, most of the spigots do not have a nipple to screw on a water hose.  There are a couple that do.  There are also vault toilets and trash dumpsters throughout the campground.

The main downside to this campground regarding amenities is the lack of a dump site.  However, Boulder Creek RV Park just south on 395 will let you use their dump site for $25.   

The staff are very approachable and friendly and a couple of the maintenance guys even left us some cut firewood as they were thinning out the salt cedar trees.

The only demerits I give this campground in the offseason is the loud hwy noise from 395, which is inherent, and the small bits of trash that have become components of the sand.  Trash like broken glass, bottle caps, crushed aluminum cans, cigarette butts, dental floss applicators, etc.  Small stuff everywhere.  We spent an afternoon sifting through the sand, picking up trash around our campground, but it was really too big of a job for just 2 people.  Inyo County should organize a community clean up day where an army of volunteers with rakes can really go through the sand to pick up all of the debris.

Campsite not well marked and difficult to navigate. Stop at gas station first to avoid difficulty finding RV sites. Had trouble with electrical hookup. EMS code showed “open ground” so used the site hookup adjacent. Very helpful, informative and accommodating staff even though our paid reservation was not in their system. Middle of no where. No cell No internet.

If you’re looking to camp in California, Sequoia National Park should be one of your top destinations. They have cabin and tent camping. I have stayed in both. There are trails galore and GIGANTIC trees bigger than your car. This beautiful setting is worth visiting year round and I recommend camping during the less touristy times in early Spring and Fall. You are near lakes, waterfalls, and an array of bodies of water. I recommend coming up the back end up the park for an easier ascent rather than via the 198. The 198 takes you up a steep, but beautiful, hair pin turn ridden road. If you get car sick easily, take the route through Fresno.

PROS: walking distance to lake Isabella, awesome views. Beautiful sunrise and sunset. RVs, Trailers and tents are welcome, big spaces available. This camp has drinking water, toilets, dump station and a playground for kids. Great for family vacation.

CONs: not too much shade.

Campground Review:

This campground lies about 10 miles to the west of its namesake town, Lone Pine in the Owens Valley to the east of the Sierra Nevada range.  It is a very popular campground to use as a base camp for climbing Mt. Whitney especially if the Whitney Portal CG is full. which was the case when we were there.  If you can't get a reservation or walk in site at Lone Pine CG, then Tuttle Creek, and the Alabama Hills would be your closest places to camp if you're not planning on climbing Mt. Whitney.

Now on to the actual campground!  Now since this is a few miles from the actual trail head to Mt. Whitney it has more RV camping sites than tent sites.  Campsite range in price from $25-$65 for single tent sites, RV sites, and 1 group site, respectively.  Each campground has a large bear proof box to store all of your food and  smelly items in addition to a picnic table and a metal fire ring.  The campground had potable water spigots and vault toilets spread throughout.  You could also purchase firewood from the camp host, which is recommended due to the possibility of spreading pests.

To list all of the activities you can do in this area would take a book so I'm just gonna touch on some of the things we did!  Our main goal for the trip was to try and summit Mt. Whitney by the Mountaineers Route.  We got pushed back however due to hard route finding and soft avalanche prone snow.  We ended going around 10 miles but the regular hiking trail is 13 miles one way!  After getting beaten down by the mountain we were able to eat some great food at the Mt. Whitney Restaurant which had Americana and diner food. 

Since we stayed at this campground in the middle of June the temperatures weren't too hot but I would really try to camp higher up at the portal if you plan on coming here in July or August as it could be really hot and there wasn't a ton of shade.  Also be doubly sure to book your campground ahead of time as I doubt there will be any sites if you show up after 3 or 4 without a reservation.

Product Review:

Being a Ranger for the Dyrt allows us to test and review gear from time to time!  This time we were testing out the Adjustable Neck Gaiter from Eclipse sun protection.  This was honestly one of my favorite pieces of gear I've been able to test for the Dyrt!  

Pros: 

• Simple design that replaces $100's of sunscreen in it's lifetime! (never washes out)
• Is multi functional and can be used as a gaiter, headband, buff, and so much more!
• Super lightweight and doesn't need to be reapplied or leave you greasy
• It is super cheap and includes a Velcro strap to adjust to smaller neck      

Cons:

• The only flaw I could find was the sewing along the neck was a little weak and I ripped it slightly before realizing I needed to be a little more delicate pulling it on

Other than that one con I would say this is an amazing product that helps keep you from spending 100's on a temporary sunblock and helps keep all those nasty chemicals out of nature, the waterways, and the oceans!  I definitely think we'll be trying out the sleeves for fishing as my fiances arms can get pretty burnt sometimes.