BIG PINE CREEK CAMPGROUND
Inyo National Forest, CABig Pine Creek Campground sits in a sweet spot where meadows meet towering peaks at 7,700 feet in the Sierra Nevada. The 30 sites line Big Pine Creek's fish-filled waters, putting you within striking distance of the range's largest glaciers and some serious alpine country.
Campground Details
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 30
- 💵Fee per Night
- $26
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 🏔️Elevation
- 7,700 ft
- 📍GPS
- 37.12583, -118.43250
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
- 📞Phone
- 760-935-4339
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The sites spread along Big Pine Creek through a mix of Jeffrey pine, aspen, and cottonwood, with sagebrush filling the gaps between trees. Some sites claim creek-front real estate where you can fall asleep to moving water. At this elevation, nights stay cool even in summer, and the surrounding meadows stretch toward canyon walls that funnel views up toward glaciated peaks.
Each site handles up to six people and comes with the standard vault toilets and picnic tables. They sell firewood on-site, which saves a trip to town.
What to Know
Reservations are required for this campground, and at $26 per night, it books up during peak season when people use it as base camp for the Palisades. The equestrian designation means horse trailers are welcome, and a commercial pack station operates nearby for those who want to explore the backcountry on horseback rather than foot.
The creek and nearby Big Pine Lakes hold rainbow, brown, and brook trout if you want to try your luck with a line. The fishing draws families, but so does the proximity to serious alpine terrain.
Nearby
The North Fork Trail launches from near the campground and climbs toward Big Pine Lakes through waterfalls and switchbacks that wind past manzanita and sage. The lakes sit around 10,000 feet and serve as the jumping-off point for Palisade Glacier, the largest glacier in the Sierra Nevada. This isn't day-hike territory for most people — it's a commitment that involves serious elevation gain.
The John Muir Wilderness boundary isn't far, opening up longer backcountry routes for those with permits and multi-day ambitions. A nearby resort offers pay showers, a general store, and pond fishing for less ambitious days.