Chimney Creek Campground

Open — Open year-round, first-come first-served. Potable water available only during summer months. Maximum stay is 14 days.

About

Chimney Creek Campground is located within Chimney Peak Recreation Area in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of Tulare County. The campground contains 36 campsites spread out along Chimney Creek at 5,700 feet elevation, nestled among beautiful pinyon pines, grey pines, and oak trees. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring, providing a rustic camping experience in a scenic mountain setting. The campground is managed by the BLM Bakersfield Field Office and operates year-round on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees. Access is via Canebrake Road, a graded dirt road approximately 9 miles north of Highway CA-178. Potable water is available seasonally during the summer months at the end of the campground loop near site 36, but campers should plan to bring their own water outside of summer. Vault toilets are available throughout the campground. The location offers excellent access to hiking opportunities, including the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail which crosses Canebrake Road just south of the campground, and the primitive Chimney Creek Trail which starts at a cattle guard about half a mile from the campground entrance. The area provides opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and experiencing solitude in the adjacent wilderness areas including Owens Peak Wilderness. Summer days can be warm and dry at this elevation, while the campground remains accessible year-round for those seeking a remote mountain camping experience.

Directions

From Lake Isabella, follow CA-178 east for approximately 30 miles and turn north onto Canebrake Road. Drive 9 miles on this graded dirt road to the junction of Canebrake and Long Valley/Chimney Basin Roads and continue straight (right fork). The campground entrance is on the right in 2 miles.

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