California / Inyo County / Inyo National Forest

Big Pine Creek Campground

Closed — Closed for winter. The campground typically operates seasonally from late spring through fall.

About

Big Pine Creek Campground sits at 7,700 feet elevation in the scenic Big Pine Canyon, surrounded by sprawling meadows and towering trees. The campground's 30 sites are perched along the cool waters of Big Pine Creek, offering mostly shaded camping among Jeffrey pine, sagebrush, aspen, and cottonwood trees. The creek and nearby Big Pine Lakes provide excellent fishing opportunities for rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Big Pine Canyon is renowned for having both the largest and southernmost glaciers in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The North Fork Trail gives hikers access to Big Pine Lakes and the Palisade Glacier, climbing past waterfalls and zigzagging through Jeffrey pine, manzanita, and sage before reaching the glacial lakes at around 10,000 feet elevation. Palisade Glacier, the largest glacier in the Sierra, sits above these impressive lakes. The South Fork is bordered by the Palisade Crest with peaks over 14,000 feet. This is an active bear area, so all food must be secured overnight and when not attended. Bear-proof food storage containers are provided at each campsite. The campground operates as a dry camp with no potable water available on-site, though water can be treated or filtered from nearby Big Pine Creek. A commercial pack station, general store, pay showers, and pond fishing are available at a nearby resort.

Directions

From Highway 395 in Big Pine, turn west on Crocker Street and continue west up Big Pine Canyon Road for approximately 10 miles to the end of the road. Turn left crossing Big Pine Creek and follow the signs to the campground.

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