Recently in Independence Area Camping Category

Campground Name: Onion Valley Campground

Administered by: Inyo National Forest.  http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/  760-873-2400

Season Length: Open June 2 through October 1

Contact: Mt. Whitney Ranger Station, 640 S. Main Street Lone Pine , CA 93545

Phone: 760-876-6200
Nearest town: Independence

Nearby fishing: Located at 9,600 ft. Onion Valley is literally on the edge of the John Muir Wilderness. The popular Kearsarge Pass trail begins at the entrance to the campground and several alpine lakes are within day hiking distance. Rainbow, Eastern Brook, and Golden Trout can be caught in the area. 

Number of sites: 29

Fee: $13.

RV sites: Yes, restricted to 16 feet; picnic tables and fire grills

Toilets: Vault toilets

Water: Piped water

Reservations / contact info: Reservations are accepted. For reservable campsites, contact the National Recreation Reservation Center at http://www.recreation.gov or call them at 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.recreation.gov/. 1-877-444-6777.

Directions: Located 13 miles west of town. From U.S. 395 turn west on Market Street (Onion Valley Rd.). follow the road past Grays Meadow Campground to the road end. Proceed past the Kearsarge Pass trail head and through the gate into the campground.

Map courtesy of mytopo.com.

Campground Name: Oak Creek Campground

Administered by: Inyo National Forest.  http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/  760-873-2400

Season Length: Open all year

Contacts: (760) 873-5577 for more information or http://www.independence-ca.com/

Nearest town: Independence

Nearby fishing: Once a very popular campground, Oak Creek has been largely overlooked since The California Department of Fish and Game ceased planting fish in the north fork of Oak Creek. Even so it is still possible to catch wild rainbows in the creek.

Number of sites: 22

Fee: None

RV sites: Some sites will accommodate large RV's. RV length limit = 28 feet.

Toilets: Vault toilets   Garbage: Pack-it-Out!

Water: No

Shade: Some

Reservations: Not required

Directions: Located 5 miles northwest of town. From U.S. 395 turn west on Fish Hatchery Rd. and follow the road past the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. Stay on the right fork of the road which follows the north fork of Oak Creek. Turn left into the campground at the gate.

Map courtesy of mytopo.com.

Campground Name: Grays Meadow (upper and lower    Area: Independence

Administered by: Inyo National Forest / Mt. Whitney Ranger District map

Season Length: The camp grounds are open from March 16 to October 15 subject to weather conditions.

Contact: Inyo National Forest.  http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/  760-873-2400

Number of sites: 52

Fee: $13

RV sites:  Yes   RV’s up to: 34 feet    

Toilets: Flush    Water: Yes      Picnic tables and fire grills

Nearest town: Independence

Nearby facilities: Independence

Nearby fishing: Independence Creek; Onion Valley Trailhead to wilderness lakes (See Highway 395 Fishing Category)

Reservations: Reservations are accepted. For reservable campsites, contact the National Recreation Reservation Center at http://www.recreation.gov or call them at 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.recreation.gov/. 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.ReserveUSA.com

Additional information:  Pets must be kept on a leash.

Directions: Grays Meadow Campground is located 6 miles west of town. From U.S. 395 turn west on Market Street (Onion Valley Road). Proceed past the County campground on the west edge of town and follow the road for 6 miles.

Map courtesy of mytopo.com.

Campground Name: Goodale Creek Campground (BLM)    Area: Independence

Administered by: Bureau of Land Management (760) 872-5000

Elevation: 4,000

Season Length: Generally open second week of April through November 1; subject to weather conditions

Contact: BLM Bishop Field Office (760) 872-4881

Number of sites: 62

Fee: $5.

RV sites:  Yes   RV’s up to: 30 feet   Garbage: containers

Toilets: Pit   Water: No      Picnic tables and fire grills                           

Nearest town: Independence

Nearby facilities: Independence

Nearby fishing: Independence Creek (See Highway 396 Fishing Category)

Reservations:  No

Additional information: Please note that the dates and prices below are subject to change and reflect 2007 data.  If listed, the campground opening dates are approximate due to weather conditions. Horses are prohibited. With little shade, the summer months can be very hot here.

Directions: From Highway 395 in Independence, drive 12 miles north and turn west on Aberdeen Road and continue two miles to the campground.

Maps courtesy of mytopo.com.