Whitney Portal Campground
Whitney Portal Campsite

Whitney Portal

Closed — Closed for the winter. Typically operates late May through mid-October, depending on snow conditions. Whitney Portal Road is subject to seasonal closure.

National Forest System Roads

Follow California Vehicle Code on National Forest System Roads

Pack Fire Area Closure

The Pack Fire Area near Crowley Lake is closed

Horseshoe Pit Closure

To provide for public safety while large decks of logs are stored on site.

Stay Limits, Parking, and Developed Recreation Site Use

This forest order was put in place to protect natural resources and promote public safety.

Reds Meadow Road Reconstruction Project

www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/projects/reds-meadow-road-reconstruction

Wilderness Use Restrictions

This Forest Order prohibits recreating within the portions of the John Muir, Ansel Adams, Hoover, and Golden Trout Wildernesses  located in the Inyo National Forest.

Mount Whitney Zone Access Restrictions

This forest order prohibits recreating in the Mount Whitney Zone to provide for public safety and protect natural resources.

Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Campfire Restrictions

This forest order prohibits campfires in portions of Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Areas that are located on the Inyo National Forest, as shown on the Exhibits.

Golden Trout and Hoover Wilderness Campfire Restrictions

This forest order prohibits campfires in portions of Golden Trout and Hoover Wilderness Areas that are located on the Inyo National Forest, as shown in the Exhibits.

Reds Meadow Road Closure Order

This Forest Closure Order prohibits being on the entirety of Reds Meadow Road to provide public safety during the 2025 reconstruction season.

ESCCRP Project Area Closure

This forest order prohibits access to roads affected by the ESCRRP project to provide for public safety while contractors perform forest health and fuels reduction work surrounding the Town of Mammoth Lakes and beyond.

Inn Fire Closure Order

This Forest Closure Order prohibits entrance into the Inn Fire Area Closure to protect public health and safety from environmental hazards, wildfire, and wildfire suppression operations.

Hot Creek Closure Order

This Forest Order prohibits recreating in Hot Creek within the Mammoth Ranger District.

Goat Prohibition Order

This Forest Order prohibits possessing or storing a goat within the Inyo National Forest Goat Prohibition Area.

Mammoth Mill Site Area and Trail Closure

This Forest Order prohibits recreating, entering or being in the Mammoth Mill Site Closure Area and the Mammoth Stamp Mill Trail.

B&B Mine Closure Order

This Forest Order prohibits recreating within the B&B Mine and Mill Site Closure Area.

Food and Refuse Storage Restrictions

This Forest Order prohibits food and refuse in locations in Exhibits A and C-J, unless stored in a bear-resistant container.

About

Whitney Portal Campground occupies a prime location within the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains at 8,000 feet elevation, situated in a thick pine forest at the base of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States. The campground serves as a popular home base for hikers accessing the Mt. Whitney Trail, Meysan Lake Trail, and other routes into the John Muir Wilderness and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, with trailheads located just 0.5 miles away. The facility offers 43 single campsites arranged on either side of Whitney Creek, with a mix of reservable sites and first-come, first-served options. Some sites can accommodate parking up to 35 feet long. Each site includes a picnic table, fire grate, and bear-proof food storage locker. The campground is especially prone to bear activity, and all food and scented items must be stored in the provided lockers. Campers enjoy striking views of surrounding granite peaks and access to numerous recreational opportunities including hiking, fishing in nearby lakes and streams, and picnicking. The area is home to abundant wildlife including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika, and various species of fish and birds. The campground provides piped drinking water from a hand pump and vault toilets.

Directions

From Highway 395 in Lone Pine, turn west at the stoplight onto Whitney Portal Road and travel 12.5 miles to the campground.

Nearby Campgrounds

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups No
Water Hookups No
Sewer Hookups No
Camp Store No
Price $34 - $95

Vehicle

Max RV Length 35ft
Max Trailer Length 35ft
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (760) 873-2400

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Whitney Portal Campground
Whitney Portal Campsite
Whitney Portal Campground
Whitney Portal Campground
Whitney Portal Campground
Whitney Portal Campground
Whitney Portal Campground
Whitney Portal Campground
Whitney Portal Campsite
Whitney Portal Campground

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