The Best Camping in Independence

South Lake via John Muir Trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Independence, California.

This trail starts at the lowest, and generally regarded hardest, trailhead in the Southern Sierras. You quickly gain elevation in what many describe as manageable but relentless. The first section of the hike has nice shade and adequate water access. Very enjoyable company to boot! Once you cros...

Bullfrog Lake is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Independence, California.

Golden Trout Lake Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Independence, California.

Trip Guide ***Please note, all images after the first one are arranged in chronological order of the trip so you can easily follow along Day 1 Depending on where you are coming from your day one is most likely going to be setting up your car shuttle from Whitney Portal to Onion Valley.  Our fi...

Make sure to obtain an overnight permit up to 6 months in advance. You will have to pick up your permit at one of the Inyo National Forest Visitor Centers (here) before you begin. Once you have your permit in hand, drive to the Onion Valley Trailhead (see map), which is about 15 miles west of th...

This adventure begins at Onion Valley Campground outside of Independence, CA. The parking is abundant and the road is snow dependent. Snow will be plowed as long as it is not currently being hit with a massive storm. Dogs are allowed on trail up to Kearsarge Pass (4.5 miles from the trailhead). H...

The hike starts at Onion Valley campground and includes a good deal of elevation (two passes around 12,000 feet). You start climbing at the outset, and keep climbing for the first couple of hours before hitting Kearsarge Pass. Here you begin a long descent, then traverse above some beautiful lake...

Sawmill Pass Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Big Pine, California.

The Alabama Hills Recreation Area is a area owned by BLM and open to the public. Camping is free and you can say for a max of 14 days.The are has 100+ open desert sites that are shadowed by some of the tallest peaks in the Sierra Nevada range. And if that wasn't enough, the area was the backdrop ...

The Lone Pine Campground is located 6 miles west of Lone Pine California, and 7 miles east of Mt Whitney Portal. The campsite is nestled next to Lone Pine Creek, which is the perfect place to fish for Sierra Nevada trout. The campground sits at 6,000 feet and in clear view of Mt. Whitney, the hig...

PCT: CA Section H - Crabtree Meadow to Tuolumne Meadow is a point-to-point trail where you may see wildflowers located near Lone Pine, California.

From the Whitney Trail - beyond trail crest - you will see a big cairn (right side). If you make it to the first "window of Mt. Whitney" you have gone too far. The cairn marks the start of an class 2 use trail up to the Mt. Muir headwall.The headwall is a fun climb with good handholds and has lit...

Day 1: We arrived at the Lone Pine Visitors Center at the intersection of HWY 395 and HWY 136 just south of Lone Pine, CA. We issued ourselves our overnight permits to climb Mt. Whitney and picked up our Wag Bags. You can self issue yourself the free permit Nov. 2 through Apr 30. Climbing during ...

The Candy Store is a group of boulders and small spires with around 30 climbing routes ranging from 5.6 to 5.11. The majority are trad routes with a significant portion toprope and a couple of sport. The major features/boulders are: First BoulderThe GumdropLollipop BoulderRock Candy TowerSecond B...

Tuttle Creek Campground is a beautiful place to camp during any time of year. The campground offers uninterrupted breath taking views of the entire Eastern Sierra Nevada and Owens Valleys. Whether you are looking for a place to crash for the night while traveling down the 395, rock climbing in th...