Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

WiFi

Cable TV

Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Located near the base of the Eastern Sierra, the Inyo National Forest area near Whitney Portal provides a rugged and scenic backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts. The region is defined by its dramatic high-altitude landscapes and historical significance. RVers looking for a basecamp to explore the dramatic peaks of Mount Whitney will find this area offers a <strong>rustic, nature-focused experience</strong> that prioritizes direct access to the wilderness over manicured resort-style luxury.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Situated just outside the town of Lone Pine, California, this area serves as the gateway to the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. The environment is dominated by the stark, beautiful granite walls of the Alabama Hills and the towering Sierra Nevada range. Visitors can expect <strong>sweeping mountain views</strong> and a high-desert climate that fluctuates significantly between sunny days and crisp, cool evenings throughout the peak travel season.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>Facilities in this high-alpine region are designed for self-contained camping rather than luxury living. Most sites offer <strong>basic dry camping</strong> or limited services, reflecting the area's wild character. Visitors should prepare for a primitive experience where the focus is on utility and proximity to the trailheads. While some local campgrounds provide water spigots and vault toilets, travelers should arrive fully stocked with necessary supplies before ascending the steep, winding road toward the portal.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>The primary draw for visitors is the proximity to the Mount Whitney Trailhead, which attracts serious hikers and photographers alike. The nearby <strong>Alabama Hills National Scenic Area</strong> offers incredible rock formations perfect for sunset photography and exploring movie filming locations. Additionally, the town of Lone Pine provides essential services, including local museums and dining options, acting as a convenient hub for those venturing deeper into the Inyo National Forest for fishing or climbing.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>This destination is ideal for self-sufficient RVers who prioritize <strong>outdoor recreation and solitude</strong> over modern conveniences. It is perfectly suited for hikers, mountaineers, and nature photographers who want to wake up right at the doorstep of the Sierra Nevada. Those traveling in smaller rigs or camper vans who are comfortable managing their own power and water usage will find the setting to be an unparalleled high-altitude retreat.</p>



The Inyo-Whitney Portal is a popular trailhead located in Lone Pine, California. It is the starting point for many hikers and climbers who are looking to explore the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. The trailhead is located at 8,360 feet and provides access to the John Muir Wilderness, Sequoia National Park, and the Inyo National Forest. The trailhead is also the starting point for the popular Mount Whitney Trail, which leads to the summit of the highest peak in the contiguous United States. The Inyo-Whitney Portal is a great place to start your adventure in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains.

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Inyo/Whitney Portal

Discover rustic RV camping near Inyo/Whitney Portal in Lone Pine, CA. Perfect for hikers and photographers seeking basecamp access to Mount Whitney.

Inyo/Whitney Portal RV Camping, Lone Pine, CA

Camping not rooms.. well there are cabins but I stayed on the campsites with tents.  The restroom 🚺🚻 are clean. Water is near by.  River water is really cold for a cold plung after a hike.

Climbed Mount Whitney and had breakfast 🥞🍳 the next morning.  I got #11 which comes with a HUGE pancake.

The burgers are really good too.

Pro:
1. CLEAN
2. Plenty of Parking
3. Food at portal restaurant is amazing
4. Gateway to a lot  of outdoor activities
5. Customer service at store is awesome

Cons:
None

Notes to visitors
1. Be courteous to others
2. When on trail pass let others pass
3. If you have dogs, leash them . Pick up their
Shit and do not let them in streams or
lakes.
4. Remember , because you love your animal
doesn't mean everyone else does
5.  Do not leave trash on trails .

Such a beautiful campground! I had trouble with the altitude and all the super-fit people getting ready to climb Mt Whitney were kind of intimidating, but everyone was super nice. We didn't see any bears, but I understand they can be a problem sometimes.

Majestic views all around. Sheer granite cliffs surround you. The flow of Lone Pine Creek right beside our campsite was natural white noise. Towering pines allow for dappled shade throughout. A beautiful place overall. Site managers Bob and Emily were terrific hosts and super nice. Vault toilets, no showers. Closest public showers are at the hostel in town.

As others have mentioned, be bear aware. A young bear was already waiting at our campsite when we arrived around midnight from town, with a car full of food. As my friend was unloading the car and about to put all the food into the bear locker, a bear was already at the other side of the car. After she backed away, I saw from afar the bear opened the car door. Then walked towards us, so of course all food and backpack was dropped and went straight on the menu for the bear that night. Lessons learned: no food or smelly things outside of the bear box AT ALL past sundown, including in your car. As Bob told us, Its very common for people to encounter bears in the middle of the night when they are leaving for the Whitney hike as they are taking backpacks out and putting them down somewhere, or opening and closing bear boxes. These bears know the timing, sounds, and can literally smell it from a mile away.

Unfortunately there was a lot of black bear activity. (7/29-8/1)  Very bold trying to open car doors and attempting to get into the bear boxes. Very sneaky bear stole food from us 6 feet away on the picnic table as soon as the sun went down. Be vigilant with putting all food up in the bear boxes before dark.

Beautiful campsite with rainbow trout in the stream. Great place to stay before Hiking Mountain Whitney.

Terrific campground. Like many California state campgrounds the bathrooms are eh but the hosts were incredible. Friendly and very helpful. Would come back just for the good vibes. We climbed Whitney and used this as our base camp for the night before and after.

Beautiful campground in the pine forest. The sound of the Lone Pine Creek is so relaxing. Campsites are clean and well maintained. But beware of bears and store your food properly.

The campground is at elevation, so during the summer the temperatures are much more comfortable than in the valley. Sites are mostly spacious, shade can vary depending on the area. Lots of green pollen from the trees, bear proof boxes, fire rings, restrooms, no showers. Small river flowing nearby. A mile up the road is a convenience store with some souvenirs, coffee, ice cream, meat and drinks, some simple food options. Tip: the entire area has no cell phone reception, the only place with signal is the coffee area in the store!

Wonderful campground just outside the trail to Mt Whitney. Lots of space, trees, flat ground for tents, fire pits, and picnic tables at each site. I was astounded at how clean the toilets were and they had multiple locations for potable water. Can’t wait to camp here again!

Perfect place to acclimate before hiking Whitney. Campsites are spacious and have all the essentials (grill and fire pit). Portal store is up the road where you can get last minute supplies or food for your hike. I packed a few sandwiches with me.

If you are in the area of Lone Pine or Alabama Hills and want to escape the heat this area is well worth the drive even if you don't get out of your car! Also a great place to come if camping at Alabama hills for their day use area.

Checked in August 2, 2021 and observed a meticulously clean site. The drive into and around the campground was well marked, a bit narrow for me, but absolutely doable. Our site #12 was perfect for 4 of us with a 6p Coleman tent. Plenty of room! Site #12 was also perfectly adjacent to the Restroom, Recyclable and Trash bins, and provided shade coverage throughout the day. Our reservation was for 2 nights, and both nights consisted of high bear activity throughout the campground, especially in site #11. I am including pictures of our site #12, and the surrounding sites. Enjoy!

Reviews

Inyo/Whitney Portal