We all love roasting marshmallows over a campfire—and you can often still do that while cabin camping in Dyer. The Dyrt can help you find the best cabin camping destinations for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect cabin rental for your Nevada camping adventure.
Big Pine Creek Campground, surrounded by sprawling meadows and towering trees, is perfectly situated in the scenic Big Pine Canyon. Campsites are perched along the cool, fish-filled waters of Big Pine Creek. Big Pine Canyon is heralded for having both the largest and southern most glaciers in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The campground sits at 7,700 feet elevation among vegetation like Jeffrey pine, sagebrush, aspen and cottonwood trees.
The creek and nearby Big Pine Lakes are great for fishing. Both water spots have rainbow, brown and brook trout. The North Fork Trail gives hikers access to Big Pine Lakes and the Palisade Glacier. The trail climbs past waterfalls and zigzags through Jeffrey pine, manzanita and sage before it reaches Big Pine Lakes.
Big Pine Canyon is heralded for having both the largest and southern most glaciers in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Palisade Glacier, the largest, sits above Big Pine Lakes. These impressive glacial lakes at around 10,000 feet elevation are the source of the North Fork of Big Pine Creek. The South Fork is bordered by the Palisade Crest with peaks over 14,000 feet and Middle Palisade Glacier, the southernmost glacier.
Glaciers in the nearby John Muir Wilderness make an exciting hiking destination. A commercial pack station is within close proximity for horse enthusiasts looking for an outdoor adventure. A general store, pay showers and pond fishing can be found at a nearby resort.
$23 - $26 / night
Esmeralda RV Park consists of 23 developed spaces with campground facilities with water, electrical, sewer hook-ups, bath house with two restrooms and showers, picnic area, mature landscaping, spectacular views of the White Mountains and lots of trees that provide shade. Located adjacent to Esmeralda Market and other public services, this location is ideal for campers bound for this vacation destination.
The campsites are well-spaced along the lake shore, with several tent-only, walk-in sites overlooking the lake. Boat rentals, educational programs, groceries and showers are all nearby. Firewood is available on-site for a fee. Bears inhabit the area, so bear-proof lockers are provided for campers to store food. WINTER: Open with no fees and no services through winter Creekside campsites; 6 units total for both tent and RV camping.
$39 - $59 / night
Traveler
Stay at Rock Creek Lake Campground in mid June. The drive up from Hwy 395 was easy for a mountain road. There were about 7 campgrounds along this corridor. Rock Creek Lake is at the top. The campground is at about 9,500 feet so be aware for altitude.
Campsites are very close to the water. The walk in tent sites are next to the creek. We were in site 24. This site was located in a small clearing that gets midday sun so it can heat up. Other than site 25, the other sites had better shade coverage. The walk in sites had a dirt pad for your tent, picnic table and bear locker. Your site has assigned parking.
It was about a 50 to 75 yard walk from the parking, water spout, and bathrooms. Camp host was pleasant and had wheelbarrows to help move your stuff. The bathrooms were flush toilets and sink. The sink faucets were variable.
The weather was still quite chilly especially at night. The campground in general was very quiet. We didn't hear loud music or groups over 4 days. There were lots of mosquitos the whole time. Rock Creek Lake Resort just down the road has a store and restaurant serving pie. During the weekend, there are lots of day use visitors but they cleared out in the evening.
I would definitely be back
Ranger
We were planning to stay at Sage Flat campground on the road up from Big Pine, but didn’t like it so we continued on to Big Pine Creek CG and we were so pleased! They had 4 FCFS sites (sites 2-5) and we got site 4. It’s a nice site, but site 5 is really close. Someone took that site on our second night but they were quiet, fortunately. The creek is really pretty and the hike up to the lakes (lakes 1-5) is gorgeous. There are 2 beautiful waterfalls on the hike. The vault toilets were overfull and very stinky. There is a camp store at Glacier Point Lodge just a short walk up the road from the campground. You can get a 5 minute shower there for $7. No cell service but at the lodge you can get 24 hours of WiFi for $10. We stayed 3 nights and enjoyed it.
Scout
Op doorreis van Las Vegas naar Yosemite, overnacht in dit kleine RV-camp. Erg vriendelijke mensen, alle plekken veel schaduw door grote bomen.
GuideCute cozy campsite. Sites are near each other and you’ll need to pass but some sites to get to yours. There’s a parking lot for cars and you take a very short walk to site. Clean and well Kept.
Scout
An adequate place to camp with beautiful natural surroundings and ease to get to national forest
ScoutCrowded but awesome location, close to all of the iconic sites in Yosemite Valley.
TravelerPlace was very quiet, very dark at night. The stars were amazing. Campsites were a lil small but very clean and maintained.
GuideI stayed here May 10-12th with my two dogs. I chose a site right along the creek which was wonderful to fall asleep to the sounds of rushing water. Many sites are quite spacious and offer a sandy area for tent set up. Most sites have a picnic table, fire pit, & metal bear box for food storage. Vault toilet available that were surprisingly clean. Camp host was friendly and had firewood on site available for purchase for $8/bundle. The website lists nightly rate as $21/night but when I arrived the sign had been updated to $23/night. This was the perfect basecamp for some day hikes up Big Pine Creek Trail to some beautiful blue lakes.
GuideBig Pine Creek Canpground is located by the trailhead of the north fork trail. The campground is not very big, most people use it to spend the night prior to trekking up the mountains. The campground is improving and we took advantage of the convenient store for some victory sodas after our long hike.
The campground also has a small fishing pond for kids. We stayed here for the night before backpacking through the north fork trail and we enjoyed our time here.
TravelerThis is a very nice and clean campground. It was nice to fall asleep listening to big pine creek and this campground gives you access to some great hiking trails. The campground was full with lots of families and people fishing in the creek.
GuideI really enjoyed my stay here, we camped here before hiking to the palisades. The hosts were extremely helpful and informative. Campgrounds are fairly close to each other but I didn’t mind :)
LegendOnly few site for medium size rv. Enjoy the hot pool with giant jet. w
We will come back here.
ScoutI've been to BPC twice and both times I went alone. Some of the sites are usually available and you'll know why when you get there. They are shadeless, small or not level. Other sites are okay but to me, it seems to lack privacy. For example, I had site 25 and although other sites were not visible, I could definitely hear voices from other nearby sites hidden by the plants and at other prime sites, you can see other sites in plain view. It's not a show stopper, because I've met some really nice folks there. I met a couple there and the man, Tim was really nice. When he left, he wanted to give me his leftover firewood and I said he could give it to someone else, but he said no and that he wanted me to have it. How nice is that? What I use this campground for is car camping the eastern Sierras and mixing in some backpacking. Setting up my car camping stuff, leaving it at camp and then wandering off for a night with a permit works out very well as I can return for another night knowing I have a few cold brews waiting for me.
TravelerThe lake will have you amazed with how clean the water is. It’s crystal clear and crisp
GuideTry to get a spot along the creek! Nice and quiet. Great fishing and hiking! Don’t miss hiking up the North Fork of Big Pine Creek to the upper lakes! Beautiful!!!!
RangerFor what this campground lacks in bathhouses it makes up for in one of the most spectacular hikes I have ever been on. This is a pretty remote campground tucked away in the Muir Wilderness, you will not have service and will want to bring in all the supplies you will need. Aside from that it is a great little oasis. Campsites vary with privacy and you will notice that the ones that have the most privacy are usually reserved for as long as possible. They only have pit toilets and a water spigot. There is a little camp shop where you can buy a hot shower for $6, a bit steep and not all that great but if you are in need of a shower that’s the place to go. The deer roam all around the camp ground so be on the lookup for them strolling through your camp. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, tent pad, and bear box.
The Big Pine Lakes or as the locals call them “Lake 1, Lake 2, Emerald Lake, Lake 4 etc.” But these lakes deserve a name because they are absolutely breath taking. While we stopped at Lake 2 believing this was actually “Emerald Lake”, we were still not disappointed with the unreal colors that these glacier lakes have. The hike up was a bit strenuous and you are in the open hot sun for a while so wear sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself but take this hike because it is 100% worth it.
LegendCAMPGROUND REVIEW: Big Pine Creek Campground, CA
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20312&actid=31
As we traveled up Rt 395, along the Eastern Sierras, we searched for a campground offering trails into the wilderness…but also one with a shower, as they seem to be a rare commodity…and our last campground was primitive.
Reviews stated Big Pine Creek had showers and modern restrooms, so we drove through the night arriving at 7:00 Sunday morning…hoping for an available site. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.
Turns out, the camper at site 2, beside the Host site, was packing up…so we claim jumped the site. Also turns out…after we paid $22 for the night…Big Pine Creek Campground does not have showers, nor modern restrooms.
So, to set the record straight…there are vault latrines and a river of cold glacier runoff of roughly 40F degrees. However, next to Big Pine Creek Campground is Glacier Lodge (they share the same entrance road and is privately owned)…and they will rent you a shower for $5/5 minutes. For that $5 shower, you can use the modern toilet.
Don’t let that run you off, though. We loved Big Pine Creek Campground. The sites are spacious and the backdrop is gorgeous. Not many campgrounds offer stellar trails into the Inyo John Muir Wilderness…more on that later. Mule deer roam between campsites, ground squirrels and magpies are everywhere. We also noted a resident lizard.
Most sites are somewhat tiered because of the sloped terrain. Site 2 parking pad was large enough for our SUV, but little else. You have a large bear resistant locker in front of a large fixed picnic table, situated on a large, raised, leveled pad that also has the fire pit. Up a few steps is the raised timber tent pad. Numerous large pines and smaller hardwoods populate the sites. Our neighboring site was visible with little obstruction, but was occupied by a delightful French family on holiday, that we enjoyed.
Big Pine Creek Campground is often filled with campers from all over the world and makes for interesting conversations.
Drinking water was a little walk. Last year’s winter had an avalanche destroy their water lines, so others were rerouted. No electric. Also, no cell service. Perfect for unplugging, relaxing and meeting your fellow campers.
There is a trout pond near the entrance that folks were capitalizing on. They were also fishing the creek. The glacier fed creek is cold…like 38 degrees cold. The trails…in a word…Epic!
The North Trail was incredible. We started late and only went to the first and second of seven alpine glacier lakes. The water is so emerald green, it’s surreal. We hiked out and back in 6.5 hours, taking an hour respite for a polar bear plunge in the near freezing lake. I was advised we missed the most beautiful third lake…also referred to as Emerald Lake. The North Fork Trail into The John Muir Wilderness does require permits for backcountry camping…an easy process and well worth it…https://www.recreation.gov/permits/John_Muir_Trail_North_Of_Devils_Postpile_Aa10/r/entranceEntryExitDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72203&entranceId=315543&permitTypeId=1009473747&entryType=1
Of note, along the way is Lon Chaney’s (of Frankenstein, Werewolf and Hunchback of Notre Dame movie fame) backcountry cabin. Lon Chaney would bring guests back by horse and mule train. Upon his passing, it was gifted to the parks.
One horse/mule train passed us on the trail, returning after they deposited their riders and goods out into the wilderness.
The host couple were very helpful and a joy to glean local and trail information from.
A wonderful campground to visit.
Guideprimitive sites, no drinking water, terrible roads...good fishing, great views, teeming with deer, birds small animals
TravelerWe stayed at Big Pine Creek Campground the second weekend of August. Weather was great, not nearly as hot as we'd expected. Arrived at the campgrounds on Saturday in the late afternoon about 2 hours after the check in time with no issues.
The campground is very well kept. Bathrooms are in good condition, plenty of toilet paper, no horrible smells or messes. The site we stayed in (9) was really unique with a huge stone fireplace in the middle. There is one designated area for tents which we fit one 2 person and one 4 person tent in. A third tent could have gone in the stone area and/or by the parking spot. Not much room for a second car in the site. Only major downside was minimal trees on this particular site for setting up hammocks.
Everyone was super friendly. The guy who runs the campgrounds invited us over to the main campfire area where they had bbq, karaoke and smores. We came by for some smores and it was a fun time. Oh also there is a small trout pond where a lot of people were fishing during the day so plenty to do on the campgrounds.
10/10
GuideBPC is a classic spot that has access to some amazing hikes with stunning views. The bathrooms are solid, but unfortunately running water was knocked out by an avalanche last winter. They are working on repairs but there was no timeline for when that will be fixed. Be sure to bring bug spray as this spot does get quite a few mosquitoes. There’s a small store nearby that offers the essentials and some tasty tri-tip sandwiches if you’re lucky to snag one. There’s also a fun fishing pond for the kids!
TravelerA nice 6.5 mike hike in but so worth it for the peaceful views and gorgeous scenery. Close to the glaciers, this is a great easy backpacking trip!
ScoutGreat spot to start out for Big Pine Lakes. Wasn't too noisy, parking was easy and roads were easy to follow. Rangers were helpful.
GuideBasic campsites. Try to get a site along the creek.
LegendThis is a gem for California where so many of the campgrounds have over a hundred sites and tons of huge groups of people. This is away from the crowds with only ten sites.
Sites 6, 7, 8 are all open to each other but they are the best spots on the river. If you are going with another couple these spots would be great to secure.
The creek is lovely and rocky in a shallow bed so it's easy to access.
LegendThis was our first time at BPCC and it was a great experience. The facilities were very well kept, clean bathrooms and excellent service from the hosts Steve and Annie. Our campsite (017) was well taken care of and we really appreciated the compact, unique feel of the site. Even more so because it felt separate from other sites. We could see that there was room for additional sites, but appreciated that it was kept more private. Wood was about $1-2 per bundle more expensive than other National Forest sites we've been in & the nearby town. The adjacent camp/rv park Glacier Lodge wasn't quite as well cared for really helped set the quality of BPCC apart.
There was a trout stream/river running right through the camp (and a trout pond in Glacier Lodge at the entrance of the park. The water was continually rushing and made for some great sleeping noise. The campsite is literally teeming with wildlife. We had deer, birds, small animals and fish all around us. It is bear country but according to the hosts no bear have been spotted this season much less in camp causing a ruckus.
The draw to Big Pine Creek Campground is the hike to glacial lakes 1-7. We hiked to lakes 1 & 2 and it was EPIC. The hike is uphill and hardish but the trail very well maintained and worth it. We were advised that it would take about an hour per mile (4.5 miles to the 1st two lakes) on the way there and about half that on the way back, but we made it out in about 2.5 hours of consistent hiking. The estimates were fairly conservative assuming you'd be stopping often. The hike back was accurate.
You can also apply for a backcountry camping overnight pass which we plan to do next time. They only offer 25 per night so definitely check into it, but you can camp near the first lakes and hike further. The entire loop (all 7 lakes) hike is estimated at 12 hours. We will be visiting again soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Dyer, NV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Dyer, NV is Big Pine Creek Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 17 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 6 cabin camping locations near Dyer, NV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
