Cedar Flat caters to large groups seeking serious dark skies and geology lessons in the White Mountains. Three spacious sites accommodate 25-50 people each, making this a go-to for university field trips and astronomy clubs. Come prepared — Big Pine is 12 miles away for any supplies you forgot.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- Free
- 📍GPS
- 37.27701, -118.15147
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 760-873-2500
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
Three group sites spread across 7,300 feet of high desert, each equipped with a picnic shelter, table, fire ring, and vault toilet. The setting is classic White Mountain terrain: pinyon pine and juniper punctuating expanses of rabbit brush and sage. No water on site means hauling everything from Big Pine, but the payoff is isolation and uncompromised night skies with zero nearby light pollution.
The elevation keeps things cooler than the Owens Valley floor, though the arid landscape means temperature swings between day and night. Each site handles different group sizes, so specify your headcount when booking.
What to Know
Academic groups book these sites heavily for geology field work — the White Mountains offer textbook examples of carbonate formations and ancient environments. Star photography workshops and astronomy clubs also claim regular slots, drawn by the exceptional darkness.
Water logistics define your stay. Bring everything you need or plan a Big Pine run, because there's no natural source and no spigots. The 12-mile distance isn't trivial when you're managing a large group's hydration needs.
Nearby
White Mountain Peak, California's third-highest at 14,246 feet, rises directly from this high desert base. The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest harbors the planet's oldest living trees, accessible via established trails that showcase these 4,000-year-old survivors clinging to dolomite slopes.
Both attractions capitalize on the White Mountains' unique position between the Sierra Nevada and the Great Basin — a transition zone that creates distinct ecosystems within short distances.