Big Pine Canyon
Big Pine Canyon Recreation Area includes two group campground sites. Named for glaciers that can be seen at the end of the valley, Clyde Glacier Group Site and Palisade Glacier Group Site sit along Big Pine Creek.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
| Group tent areas | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
2 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLY | CGLC | Group | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 25 / 8 |
| PAL | GLAC | Group tent | Paved | 25 / 5 |
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 | 35 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
The Clyde Glacier standard campsite fits up to 25 guests. Parking includes two 35-foot and six 20-foot paved spaces. Palisades Glacier campsite is also paved and can accommodate 25 people for tent camping only. Campfire rings and grills are provided.
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 | Reservation required. |
| Fees | $90.00 per night. |
| Rules | Active bear area. Please store food properly and don't feed the bears; bear boxes are provided and must be used (typical bear box size 48" x 30" x 36"). |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Highway 395 in Big Pine, California, turn west at flashing yellow traffic light and continue on Crocker Street/Big Pine Road for 9 miles. The group campground is just above Upper Sage Flat Campground on the left.
| Coordinates | 37.1283° N, 118.4222° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedGrant Grove Fall Rx
40 mi from the campground
- PrescribedGrant Grove Rx Spring
41 mi from the campground · 15 acres
- WildfireLand
44 mi from the campground · 20 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 ↗ | 11.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Fixe Hardware ↗ | 16.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Big Pine Creek Campground 360° Virtual Tour (8K) | Inyo National Forrest | Big Pine, Calif
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miNorth Fork Big Pine Creek ↗7.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miSage Flat Streamside1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miSouth Fork Big Pine Creek ↗4.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miGlacier Lodge to 1st Falls Acc0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miWaterfall1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miPalisade Walk-In Cutoff0.06 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 Inyo National Forest.
- inInyo National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,097,006 acres
- 5.6 miJohn Muir Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 652,903 acres
- 8.2 miSequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 768,222 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
Natural features
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.
Recreation
Fishing is a popular activity in the creek and nearby lakes. Climbers make use of the steep, glacier-carved canyon walls for excellent climbing opportunities. The North Fork Trail climbs past waterfalls and zigzags through Jeffrey pine, manzanita and sage before it reaches Big Pine Lakes with views of Palisade Glacier, the largest glacier. The South Fork Trail climbs to small lakes fed by glacial waters from Norman Clyde and Middle Palisade Glaciers, the southernmost glaciers.
Nearby
The glaciers in the nearby John Muir Wilderness provide 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.
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 Big Pine Canyon?
Sites at Big Pine Canyon are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservation required. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Big Pine Canyon?
$90.00 per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Pine Canyon?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Big Pine Canyon open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Big Pine Canyon have?
2 sites, including 1 group site and 1 group tent area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Pine Canyon?
The longest site here provides 35 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 Big Pine Canyon?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Pine Canyon. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Big Pine Canyon?
Fishing is a popular activity in the creek and nearby lakes. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Big Pine Canyon is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Big Pine Creek Campground (0.6 mi), Upper Sage Flat (0.7 mi), and Table Mountain (Inyo) (9.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby