Onion Valley
This quiet campground is set amidst breathtaking scenery of rugged mountain peaks, thick forests and waterfalls in the Onion Valley area of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its location on the creek and proximity to the John Muir Wilderness make it a popular hub for hikers, anglers, photographers and those who want to relax in a peaceful, natural setting.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
| Tent-only | 10 |
| Walk-in | 7 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 25 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
29 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | DRV | Standard | Back-in | 16 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 003 | DRV | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | DRV | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 011 | DRV | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 012 | DRV | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 015 | DRV | Standard | Back-in | 16 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 020 | DRV | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 027 | DRV | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 016 | ONIO | Walk-in | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 018 | ONIO | Walk-in | Gravel | Full | 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 | 25 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground is tucked away near the end of Onion Valley Road. Campsites are private and primitive, and every site has a scenic view. Amenities include vault toilets, and bear-proof food storage lockers, which campers are required to use. Firewood is for sale on-site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Inyo National Forest |
| Booking | www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) After Sept.15th: No reservations, first come-first serve only. |
| Fees | $29.00 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
The campground is 13 miles west of the town of Independence, California. Take U.S. Highway 395 to Independence. Turn west on Market Street, which turns into Onion Valley Road. Follow Onion Valley Road for 13 miles to the campground.
| Coordinates | 36.7747° N, 118.3456° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireLand
35 mi from the campground · 20 acres
- PrescribedGrant Grove Fall Rx
35 mi from the campground
- PrescribedGrant Grove Rx Spring
36 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 ↗ | 18.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Big Willi Mountaineering Company ↗ | 19.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Onion Valley Campground - Inyo National Forest, 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. Some trails lead into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to the west.
- 11.3 miBlock 14 ↗Visitor center
- 11.4 miManzanar Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miGolden Trout Lake2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miOnion Valley Pack Station0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miKearsarge Pass ↗4.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miRobinson Basin1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miMatlock Lake0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.9 miGolden Trout Lake North Spur0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
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 Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness.
- inSequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 768,222 acres
- 11.7 miInyo Mountains Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 199,208 acres
- 13 miAlabama Hills National Scenic Area ↗National Scenic Area · Bureau of Land Management · 18,831 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
- Inyo County CourthouseBuilding · Independence · 8.3 mi
- Smithsonian Institution ShelterBuilding · Lone Pine · 13.7 mi
- Barton-Lackey CabinBuilding · Mineral King · 13.9 mi
Natural features
Situated at an elevation of 9,200 feet, the campground is surrounded by the towering peaks of the John Muir Wilderness and immersed in shrubs, lodgepole pine and aspens. Lovely wildflowers color the landscape in late spring and early summer. The campground is adjacent to a creek and lake. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear,which frequent the campground, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Recreation
Majestic scenery and challenging trails draw campers to the Onion Valley area for hiking and horseback riding. The campground is near Kearsarge Pass, Robinson Lake and Golden Trout Lakes Trailheads, which access several alpine lakes and mountain peaks within the John Muir Wilderness, as well as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. The eastern Sierras are also known for exceptional trout fishing. From the campground, anglers can try for rainbow, brown, brook and Alpers trout in Robinson Lake and a nearby creek.
Guidebooks for Inyo National Forest and California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Onion Valley?
Sites at Onion Valley are reservable on Recreation.gov. www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) After Sept.15th: No reservations, first come-first serve only. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Onion Valley?
$29.00 per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Onion Valley?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Onion Valley open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Onion Valley have?
30 sites, including 12 standard sites without power, 10 tent-only sites, and 7 walk-in sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Onion Valley?
The longest site here provides 25 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 pets allowed at Onion Valley?
Yes, pets are allowed at Onion Valley. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Onion Valley?
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
Is there cell service at Onion Valley?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Onion Valley?
Majestic scenery and challenging trails draw campers to the Onion Valley area for hiking and horseback riding. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Onion Valley is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Grays Meadows (2.8 mi), Mt. Whitney Trailhead Campground (14.2 mi, first-come), and Whitney Portal (14.3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby