Top 10 Camping Spots Near Lone Pine Lake, California

RV campgrounds & RV site

1. Tuttle Creek Campground

With more than 80 campsites, Tuttle Creek Campground is perfect for families and friends who want to park their trailer or set up camp. If you choose to stay here, you can take advantage of the fire pit and picnic table that are available on every site. Lantern holders are available, too. For large groups, there is an area that comes with six picnic tables and four fire pits.

There’s a toilet on site, and guests must pay a fee to use the dump station. Less than a 25-minute drive away from Lone Pine Lake, this campground is open all year round. It’s the best spot for a nature retreat since it is surrounded by Mount Whitney, Alabama Hills, and other mountains.

Tuttle Creek Campground

Address: Lone Pine, CA 93545, United States (map)

Website: Tuttle Creek Campground

2. Alabama Hills Recreation Area

Nestled in the Sierra Nevada area, Alabama Hills (aka Alabama Hills National Scenic Area) comprises unique rock formations and weathered hills. Adventurers can indulge in rock climbing, horseback riding, and mountain biking here.

To truly immerse yourself in nature, you can set up a camp or park an RV here at one of the two campgrounds available on site. It has enough space for large groups. Make sure to bring enough supplies (including water) to last the trip. Six portable toilets are available here. The camping spot stays open from May to November.

Alabama Hills Recreation Area

Address: Lone Pine, CA 93545, USA (map)

Website: Alabama Hills Recreation Area

3. Boulder Creek RV Resort

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Wake up to amazing views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains when you stay in Boulder Creek RV Resort. It features RV sites and cabins, perfect for solo travelers, families, and groups of friends. The check-in and check-out time for RV sites is 12 noon. Full hook-ups are provided for your convenience. You can even bring your fur babies as long as they are leashed.

In the clubhouse, you can get free coffee and muffins in the morning. There is also a mini-market on the property if you wish to get some snacks. At the day’s end, you can take a dip in the pool or slink into the hot tub and relax. If you wish to explore the area, there are plenty of hiking and fishing spots nearby. Best of all, Boulder Creek RV Resort is open all year round.

Boulder Creek RV Resort

Address: 2550 US-395, Lone Pine, CA 93545, United States (map)

Website: Boulder Creek RV Resort

4. Diaz Lake Campground

About 15.7 miles (25.3 kilometers) from Lone Pine Lake, Diaz Lake Campground is perfect for those who love water sports since it is on the shores of Diaz Lake. Here, you can engage in fishing, boating, water skiing, and swimming. The campground has enough space for big RVs and allows up to six people in each site, making it a hit among families and groups of friends. Though there are no hook-ups on site, water spigots are available for guests’ convenience.

Motorized boats are allowed here from the 15th of May until the end of October. However, if you simply want to go kayaking, canoeing, and other non-motorized water sports, it is open all year round. Aside from a picnic table and fire ring, guests will have access to flush toilets and tap water. For entertainment, kids can have fun on the playground, while adults can head to the nearby Mount Whitney Golf Course.

Diaz Lake Campground

Address: 5007 South Main Street, Lone Pine, CA 93545, United States (map)

Website: Diaz Lake Campground

5. Lone Pine Campground

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Lone Pine Campground is just 5.4 miles (8.7 kilometers) from the namesake lake and 7 miles (11.3 kilometers) from Whitney Portal Recreation Area. It features more than 40 campsites, most of which can accommodate RVs and trailers. Each site can cater to up to six people, perfect if you’re traveling with your family or group of friends. The campground is in full service from late April until the second or third week of October, which means you will need to reserve ahead of time around these months. When it is not peak season, the campground is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Vault toilets and tap water are available on site for your convenience. Firewood is sold here just in case you need some for those late-night conversations under the stars. This campground also offers easy access to hiking and fishing spots.

Lone Pine Campground

Address: Whitney Portal Rd, Lone Pine, CA 93545, United States (map)

Website: Lone Pine Campground

6. Mt. Whitney Trailhead Campground

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Mt. Whitney Trailhead Campground is perfect for those who are always on the go. Just a short drive away from Lone Pine Lake, this campground only allows overnight stays. Ideal for solo travelers or couples, it has 25 camping sites that are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

It’s usually busy from July to September, and offers picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof storage for guests’ use. Toilets and tap water are available here, too. Popular activities around the area include cycling, hiking, and fishing, especially since it is near John Muir Trail and Mount Whitney’s trailhead.

Mt. Whitney Trailhead Campground

Address: Whitney Portal Rd, Lone Pine, CA 93545, United States (map)

Website: Mt. Whitney Trailhead Campground

7. Cottonwood Lakes Walk in Campground

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Found at the edge of Horseshoe Meadow Road and less than a 50-minute drive away from Lone Pine Lake, Cottonwood Lakes Walk in Campground welcomes backpackers to stay the night. It’s also an ideal spot for hikers who plan to traverse the Cottonwood Lakes. Other attractions nearby include Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Wilderness, and New Army Pass. There are also lakes nearby for fishing.

Depending on the snow, this campground’s peak season is from May to October. It comes with storage for food, tables, fire rings, toilets, and 13 campsites. Do note that only RVs that are 16-feet-long (4.9-meter) are allowed here.

Cottonwood Lakes Walk in Campground

Address: Lone Pine, CA 93545, United States (map)

Website: Cottonwood Lakes Walk in Campground

8. Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian Camp

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Ideal for a small family or a group of four people with their pets, Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian Camp can accommodate trailers, RVs, and tents. It is particularly popular among horseback riders heading to Cottonwood Lakes and Mount Langley. The sites here are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t wait any longer, especially if you are arriving between June and September.

There are equestrian sites here, some of which come with stalls, and each site has a storage locker for food, a fire ring, and a picnic table. Drinking water and vault toilets are offered on site too. Aside from horseback riding, you can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife viewing around the area. Overall, it’s a great campground for nature lovers since it offers easy access to outdoor activities and convenient amenities.

Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian Camp

Address: Horseshoe Meadows Rd, Lone Pine, CA 93545, United States (map)

Website: Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian Camp

9. Portuguese Joe Campground

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This year-round campground welcomes campers and RV owners. It has twenty campsites, and up to six people are allowed in each one. If you book a site here, you will have access to a fire ring and a picnic table, perfect for late-night storytelling with friends or alfresco breakfast with the family. This area is particularly popular for fishing and stargazing. You can also go horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking nearby. Plus, Tuttle Creek Road is just 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) away.

On-site, there are barbecue grills, drinking water, and vault toilets. Lone Pine town is close to the campground if you want to check out shops or dine in a restaurant.

Portuguese Joe Campground

Address: 436 S Washington St, Lone Pine, CA 93545, United States (map)

Website: Portuguese Joe Campground

Tent-only campground

10. Whitney Portal Campground

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Situated within the Whitney Portal Recreation area, this campground is less than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from various hiking trails and John Muir Wilderness, making it the best spot for adventurous groups who wish to experience the great outdoors. Right next to it is Whitney Creek.

It has three camping areas for groups and several sites for tents as well. RVs are also welcome. Guests will have access to vault toilets, drinking water, and food storage lockers to avoid attracting bears. Firewood can be bought on site, too, and a convenience store is nearby. Its peak season is from the last week of April to October.

Whitney Portal Campground

Address: Whitney Portal Rd, Lone Pine, CA 93545, United States (map)

Website: Whitney Portal Campground

Spend time amidst nature in Lone Pine

Get ready for a wonderful experience around Lone Pine Lake. Before you step foot on the trails, park your RV or set up your tent at any of the camping spots on this list. Forget about the usual vacation in a busy city and spend time surrounded by nature instead.