Lone Pine Campground – Inyo National Forest, Eastern Sierra Nevada

Lone Pine Campground sits at the base of the dramatic eastern Sierra escarpment just west of the town of Lone Pine, offering an exceptional location for exploring the Alabama Hills, Mt. Whitney Portal Road, and the Owens Valley. With its rugged granite surroundings, clear desert light, and sweeping views of the Sierra Crest, this campground provides one of the most scenic and convenient places to stay in the Inyo National Forest. It is especially popular with hikers, photographers, and travelers heading toward Whitney Portal or touring the Eastern Sierra.

Location & Setting

The campground is located along Whitney Portal Road at roughly 6,000 feet, perfectly positioned between the high desert floor and the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Massive granite walls rise dramatically above camp, while views to the east stretch across the Owens Valley toward the Inyo Mountains. Its location places campers only minutes from Lone Pine, the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, and the gateway road leading to Whitney Portal. The combination of desert vistas and alpine scenery makes Lone Pine Campground a uniquely beautiful place to stay.

Campground Overview

Lone Pine Campground offers a mix of tent, trailer, and small RV sites, many with partial shade from scattered piñon and juniper. Campsites are spread out along the canyon floor, with some offering views up toward Mt. Whitney and others facing the broad Owens Valley. The campground has a rugged, natural feel—perfect for visitors who appreciate open terrain, granite boulders, and big-sky Eastern Sierra scenery. Because of its proximity to Whitney Portal Road, it is often used by hikers staging early-morning ascents or exploring the high-country trailheads.

Amenities

Campsites include picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-resistant food storage lockers—an important convenience due to bear activity in the Whitney area. The campground provides vault toilets and potable water during the main operating season. There are no hookups or dump stations. The nearby town of Lone Pine, just a short drive down the road, offers restaurants, groceries, gas, outdoor gear, and the excellent Museum of Western Film History. The convenience of services combined with a rustic forest setting makes Lone Pine Campground suitable for both short stays and longer adventures.

Activities & Nearby Recreation

Lone Pine Campground is ideally situated for exploring the Eastern Sierra’s most iconic features. The Alabama Hills—famous for their arches, movie sites, and golden granite formations—are minutes away and offer world-class photography, bouldering, scenic drives, and stargazing. Farther up the road, Whitney Portal provides trail access to Mt. Whitney, waterfall viewpoints, and shaded forest picnic areas. Additional recreation in the region includes fishing in local creeks and the Owens River, driving the scenic Whitney Portal Road, and exploring the high desert landscapes surrounding Lone Pine. Sunrises and sunsets from camp are spectacular, with alpenglow lighting up the Sierra Crest.

Summary

Lone Pine Campground offers a well-balanced blend of scenery, convenience, and natural atmosphere in one of California’s most dramatic mountain corridors. With sweeping views, proximity to Whitney Portal, easy access to the Alabama Hills, and a quiet forested layout, it serves as an outstanding base for hikers, photographers, and Eastern Sierra adventurers. For travelers seeking a beautiful and strategically located campground near Lone Pine, this Inyo National Forest gem is hard to beat.