Bare desert ground, open sightlines toward the Eastern Sierra ridge, and no shade anywhere. That's the immediate reality at Pleasant Valley Pit Campground, a BLM-managed site on the high desert flats outside Bishop that draws a mix of climbers, off-road riders, and campers waiting out weather at lower elevation. At $5 per night, the setup is minimal: pit toilets, a bear-locked trash bin, and picnic tables at each site. No water, no hookups.
Insect activity varies significantly by season. Summer visits bring intense mosquito pressure at sunset, with multiple reviewers noting that standard repellent provides little relief. Wasps, bees, and ants are present year-round, though flying insects are less concentrated here than at the lower riverside campground. Wind exposure is another constant. With no trees and no terrain breaks, gusts move through unobstructed. Cell service and WiFi are available, which makes the site workable for remote workers needing connectivity between trips.
The campground sits near the Owens River Gorge climbing area and connects directly to off-road trails accessible from camp. The nearby Pleasant Valley Campground offers a riverside alternative with different conditions. Crowd levels at the Pit tend to run lighter than the lower campground, particularly outside summer weekends. "Nothing special, it was clean and peaceful, very little protection from the wind," notes James N., which captures the tradeoff accurately. Campers who can work around the exposure and bug seasons will find it a functional, low-cost base.
Description
Overview
$7.00 per site per night. No reservations.Pleasant Valley Pit Campground offers 74 RV/tent sites, maximum recommended RV length is 30 feet. Sites include a fire pit and lantern holder. No hook-up, potable water or dump station. Closest amenities are 12 miles south in Bishop.Camping for a period longer than 14 days at any one campground, not to exceed 28 days per calendar year for all Bishop Field Office campgrounds, is prohibited without the written permission from the Field Office Manager.A California Campfire Permit is not required for fires within established fire rings in developed campgrounds. Seasonal fire restrictions may prohibit campfires during periods of high fire danger. Please check the BLMs website for information on current fire restrictions or call the Bishop Field Office at (760) 872-5000.DIRECTIONS: Travel 8.5 miles north on U.S. Highway 395 from Bishop, turn right on Pleasant Valley Dam Road, go 0.5 miles and turn left following signs to the campground.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (999) 999-9999.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsPleasant Valley Pit Campground is located in California near Bishop
Public CampgroundCoordinates
37.401 N
118.511 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/28/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 8/28/26- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 8/28/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/28/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 8/28/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 8/28/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- WiFi
- Toilets
- Alcohol
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 4 hrs 43 min from Visalia, CA
- 4 hrs 50 min from Hanford, CA
- 5 hrs 12 min from Fresno, CA
- 5 hrs 50 min from Merced, CA
