Lone Pine
Lone Pine Campground is located near the base of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States, offering unparalleled views of the mountain and surrounding peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. An abundance of fishing and hiking opportunities can be found both in and around Lone Pine.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 23 |
| Walk-in | 3 |
| Tent-only | 1 |
| Group tent areas | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
28 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | LONE | Group tent | Gravel | 15 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 001 | PINE | Standard | Back-in | 21 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | PINE | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Paved | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 003 | PINE | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 004 | PINE | Standard | Back-in | 31 | Paved | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 006 | PINE | Standard | Back-in | 26 | Paved | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 008 | PINE | Standard | Back-in | 26 | Paved | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 010 | PINE | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 012 | PINE | Standard | Back-in | 31 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 013 | PINE | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Lone Pine is especially popular for RV camping. There are also a few tent-only sites and one tent-only group site that can accommodate up to 15 guests. Campsites are arranged around a single loop and have little to no shade or privacy due to the desert landscape. Firewood is available for purchase on-site, and showers are located 8 miles west of the campground at the Portal Store.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Inyo National Forest |
| Booking | www.recreation.gov 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) |
| Fees | Standard sites $37.00 per night. Group site $80.00 per night. |
| Rules | Active bear area, bear boxes are provided and must be used (typical bear box size 48" x 30" x 36"). |
Weather by month
Getting there
From U.S. Highway 395 in California, travel to the town of Lone Pine. The campground is 6 miles west of Lone Pine on Whitney Portal Road.
| Nearest town | Lone Pine, California |
| Coordinates | 36.5976° N, 118.1848° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireLand
44 mi from the campground · 20 acres
- PrescribedGrant Grove Fall Rx
45 mi from the campground
- PrescribedGrant Grove Rx Spring
46 mi from the campground · 15 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Big Willi Mountaineering Company ↗ | 6.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Free Camping at Lone Pine Campground | Inyo National Forest in CA
Worth a stop
Campers can enter the John Muir Wilderness, a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially carved terrain, via nearby trails. Mt. Whitney is within the wilderness area and entry is available by lottery for experienced hikers.
- 9.2 miManzanar Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
- 9.2 miBlock 14 ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miWhitney Portal NRT ↗4.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 2.6 miMeysan Lakes ↗5.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3 miTuttle Creek Ashram1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.2 miMount Whitney ↗8.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.4 miNorth Fork Lone Pine Creek3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Alabama Hills National Scenic Area.
- inAlabama Hills National Scenic Area ↗National Scenic Area · Bureau of Land Management · 18,831 acres
- 4.3 miSequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 768,222 acres
- 8 miInyo Mountains Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 199,208 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Smithsonian Institution ShelterBuilding · Lone Pine · 6.1 mi
- Inyo County CourthouseBuilding · Independence · 14.3 mi
Natural features
The campground is nestled in sagebrush alongside Lone Pine Creek. At an elevation of 6,000 feet, the location offers clear views of surrounding granite peaks. Desert wildflowers add brilliant colors to the landscape in spring. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds. This campground is especially prone to bear activity.
Recreation
Hikers are drawn to the majestic scenery and challenging trails of the Whitney Portal area. Trails lead to the John Muir Wilderness, including Mt. Whitney, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. The Mt. Whitney trailhead is just 7 miles away. The less challenging National Recreation Trail connects Lone Pine Campground to Whitney Portal and its picnic area and fishing pond. The eastern Sierras are also known for exceptional trout fishing, and anglers can access Lone Pine Creek and a nearby pond.
Guidebooks for Inyo National Forest and California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Lone Pine?
Sites at Lone Pine are reservable on Recreation.gov. www.recreation.gov 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Lone Pine?
Standard sites $37.00 per night. Group site $80.00 per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Lone Pine?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Lone Pine open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Lone Pine have?
28 sites, including 23 standard sites without power, 3 walk-in sites, 1 tent-only site, and 1 group tent area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lone Pine?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Lone Pine?
Firewood is available for purchase on-site, and showers are located 8 miles west of the campground at the Portal Store.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Lone Pine?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lone Pine. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Lone Pine?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Active bear area, bear boxes are provided and must be used (typical bear box size 48" x 30" x 36").
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Lone Pine?
Hikers are drawn to the majestic scenery and challenging trails of the Whitney Portal area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Lone Pine?
Lone Pine, California. Campers can enter the John Muir Wilderness, a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially carved terrain, via nearby trails.
Source: Getting there
What if Lone Pine is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Whitney Portal (2.6 mi), Mt. Whitney Trailhead Campground (3.1 mi, first-come), and Tuttle Creek Campground (3.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby