Big Pine Creek Campground
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.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 26 |
| Tent-only | 4 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
30 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | 6 / 1 | |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | 6 / 1 | |
| 003 | Standard | Pull-through | 30 | Paved | 6 / 1 | |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | 6 / 1 | |
| 009 | Tent only | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | ||
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Paved | 6 / 1 |
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 | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
This is a family-friendly and pet-friendly campground. Some campsites boast creek-front access, and each site accommodates a maximum of six campers. Vault toilets are provided for basic conveniences. Firewood is sold 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 | This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at http://www.recreation.gov |
| Fees | $26.00 per night. |
| Rules | Dogs on leash only. Maximum stay 14 days. Active bear area; all food must be secured overnight and when not attended, bear boxes are provided and must be used typical bear box size 48" x 30" x 36"). Always keep a clean camp and do not feed wildlife. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Highway 395, turn west on Crocker Street in Big Pine, the continue west up Big Pine Canyon Road for 10 miles to end of road. Turn left crossing Big Pine Creek and left again past Glacier Lodge for 100 yards.
| Coordinates | 37.1258° N, 118.4325° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedGrant Grove Rx Spring
40 mi from the campground · 15 acres
- PrescribedGrant Grove Fall Rx
40 mi from the campground
- WildfireLand
43 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 ↗ | 11.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Fixe Hardware ↗ | 16.4 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
- 0.1 miSage Flat Streamside1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miNorth Fork Big Pine Creek ↗7.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miSouth Fork Big Pine Creek ↗4.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miGlacier Lodge to 1st Falls Acc0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miWaterfall1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 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
- 5.1 miJohn Muir Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 652,903 acres
- 7.8 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
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.
Nearby
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.
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 Big Pine Creek Campground?
Sites at Big Pine Creek Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at http://www.recreation.gov Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Big Pine Creek Campground?
$26.00 per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Pine Creek Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Big Pine Creek Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Big Pine Creek Campground have?
30 sites, including 26 standard sites without power and 4 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Pine Creek Campground?
The longest site here provides 45 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 Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Pine Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Big Pine Creek Campground?
The creek and nearby Big Pine Lakes are great for fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Big Pine Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Upper Sage Flat (0.1 mi), Big Pine Canyon (0.6 mi), and Table Mountain (Inyo) (9.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby