Whitney Portal
Whitney Portal Campground is in a prime location within the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains - at the base of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States.
With hiking trails to Mt. Whitney and the John Muir Wilderness less than a mile away, the campground is a popular home base for hikers, as well as family, RV and tent campers who wish to explore the area's activities and enjoy unparalleled scenery.
The campground is adjacent to Whitney Creek and just down the road from Trailhead Campground. Numerous campsites are arranged on either side of the creek, including three group camping areas and several tent-only sites. Paved roads, vault toilets and drinking water are provided.
Bears frequent the area, and campers are required to use the bear-proof food storage lockers provided in the facility (all supplies must fit; dimensions are 18 inches high, 18 inches deep and 50 inches long). Firewood is available for purchase on-site, and a small convenience store with showers is nearby.
Need to Know
This campground will only accommodate small trailers and RV's.
- Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers; fine up to $150 for campers who do not comply; remove all food from area after eating; do not leave food, trash or scented items in car; always keep a clean camp and do not feed any wild animals
- No RV dump station; no filling of holding tanks from water hydrants
No motor homes, trailers, buses or campers permitted in the parking lot
Two pets per site and leashed at all times.
Please Note: One RV with tow vehicle per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground.
Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.
Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
Click here for more information about Inyo National Forest
Natural Features
The facility is situated in a thick pine forest at an elevation of 8,000 ft. Campers can see striking views of the rugged granite peaks surrounding it.
The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds. This campground is especially prone to bear activity.
Nearby Attractions
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. Mt. Whitney is within the wilderness area and entry is available by lottery for experienced hikers.
John Muir Wilderness
Recreation
Hikers are drawn to the majestic scenery and challenging trails of the Whitney Portal recreation area. Nearby trails lead into the John Muir Wilderness and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.
The campground is only 0.5 miles from trailheads to Mt. Whitney, Meysan Lake and other popular destinations. Visitors should be aware that hiking in this area may require a permit.
Visitors can also hike, fish and picnic in the area around the campground. There are numerous lakes, streams and a small pond in the area for trout fishing.
Contact Information
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INYO NATIONAL FOREST LONE PINE CA
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 760-937-6070
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From U.S. Highway 395 in California, travel to the town of Lone Pine. The campground is 13 miles west of Lone Pine on Whitney Portal Road.
Available Campsites
- Site 037, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site G2, Loop PORT, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 044, Loop WHIT, Type Walk To
- Site 027, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site G1, Loop PORT, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site G3, Loop PORT, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 041, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop WHIT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop WHIT, Type Standard Nonelectric
