Cedar Flat Group Campground
Cedar Flat Group sites are popular with academic institutions for geology field trips. With no nearby light sources, the night sky is brilliant for star gazing and night photography.
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
| group standard area nonelectric | 3 |
Site guide
3 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Ferguson | 1 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 25 / 10 | Yes | Basic |
| Camp Noren | 2 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 50 / 12 | Yes | Basic |
| Camp Nelson | 2 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 35 / 10 | Yes | Basic |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 60 ft |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
Three large group camp sites can accommodate between 25 and 50 people. Each has a picnic shelter with table, campfire ring and vault toilet. There is no water at this location nor is there a natural water source. The nearest source for water, food, or fuel is 12 miles away in the town of Big Pine, CA.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Inyo National Forest |
| Booking | Use is by reservation only. www.recreation.gov |
| Fees | Summeer Fee varies by number of people/site $25- $35 per night |
| Rules | No water at site. Camp Noren is $25 / up to 25 people. Camp Ferguson is $25 / up to 35 people. Camp Nelson is $35 / up to 50 people |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Big Pine go east on Highway 168 APPROXIMATELY 11.5 miles and turn left into the campground entrance. The junction of 168 and White Mt Road (to the BRISTLECONE PINES) is about 1/2 mile beyond the campground entrance. Highway 168 is narrow and steep.
| Nearest town | Bishop, California |
| Coordinates | 37.2770° N, 118.1515° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Mammoth Mountaineering Supply ↗ | 14.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 23.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1.4 miMontenegro Spring Trail2.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.6 miDeep Springs Overlook Trail1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 3.1 miPinon - Juniper Vis0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.7 miBlack Canyon ↗6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
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
- 6.8 miPiper Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Bureau of Land Management · 72,192 acres
- 13 miWhite Mountains Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 230,966 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
- Laws Narrow Gauge Railroad Historic DistrictHistoric district · Bishop · 13.8 mi
Natural features
Cedar Flat is in the Inyo National Forest, east of the Owens Valley in the White Mountains. The campsites are at an elevation of 7,300ft. and located in an arid landscape dotted with pinyon and juniper trees, rabbit brush and sage.
Recreation
A perfect location for star gazing, geology and hiking.
Nearby
White Mountain Peak is the third highest peak in California at 14,246 feet. Trails in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest lead to the oldest living trees in the world.
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 Cedar Flat Group Campground?
Sites at Cedar Flat Group Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Use is by reservation only. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cedar Flat Group Campground?
Summeer Fee varies by number of people/site $25- $35 per night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cedar Flat Group Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cedar Flat Group Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cedar Flat Group Campground have?
3 sites, including 3 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cedar Flat Group Campground?
The longest site here provides 60 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 Cedar Flat Group Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cedar Flat Group Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cedar Flat Group Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. No water at site.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is the nearest town to Cedar Flat Group Campground?
Bishop, California. White Mountain Peak is the third highest peak in California at 14,246 feet.
Source: Getting there
What if Cedar Flat Group Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Grandview Campground (4.4 mi, first-come), Big Pine Canyon (18.1 mi), and Big Pine Creek Campground (18.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby