$31
Onion Valley
Total sites: 10
Available Today: 2 FF*
Available this Weekend: 1 FF*
Booking Window: 6 months
Available Today: 2 FF*
Available this Weekend: 1 FF*
Booking Window: 6 months
9,605 ft
68°F
52°F
52°F
no signal
Inyo National Forest › Mt. Whitney Ranger District › California
› Inyo County
› Independence
› Onion Valley Campground
Onion Valley Campground, CA - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map
Onion Valley Campground is located in the Mt. Whitney Ranger District, Inyo National Forest (4 hrs 5 min northeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 9,605 feet. There are a total of 10 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 8 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 16 and 25 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $27.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)
Campsite Reviews (152)
4.2 out of 5
| 5 star | 61% | |
| 4 star | 20% | |
| 3 star | 5% | |
| 2 star | 7% | |
| 1 star | 7% |
@TracyT2929676 · Camped on Jul 25, 2025 at Campsite #12
Small campground, small sites, clean restrooms, perfect location to hike the pass. The campsite has room for a 6p and maybe another two 4p's but everyone is on a slant and it's next to the restroom (oder in some wind directions). Firewood $10. I saw a "hot shower" sign a the pack station but I went into Lone Pine to the Hostel ($10 showers).
@CarolL4146824 · Camped on Jul 21, 2025
Onion Valley was an ideal place to acclimate to the altitude before hiking over Kearsarge Pass. It is a primitive and beautiful campground. My site #5 was very private, with a short trail (about 15 ft long) leading into the site. The site was surrounded by trees and brush, and I could barely see or hear people in the adjacent sites. I have a small one-person tent which fit nicely into the site, although a multi-person tent would likely be hard to fit. The site was slightly inclined, so I just positioned the tent with the head higher than the foot. As for parking - technically this was a drive-up spot but there was no car space allocated, and my small crossover SUV could not fit along the road without blocking it. There was a space at the far end of the site which could perhaps accommodate a small car, but my car would not fit there either. So I just put the car in the campground lot, which was not a problem since I didn't have a lot of stuff to carry in. This is a dry campground, which I knew in advance, so I just made sure to bring enough water for my needs. I also had iodine so I could have treated water from the creek if needed.
@RandWAFDC62EB3 · Camped on Jul 20, 2025
Beautiful area, super clean campsites, helpful, friendly caretaker, about the only criticism is some sites are a little too close to each other, but maybe no more so than other places.
@MarieH6728241 · Camped on Jul 18, 2025
What a great site! We absolutely loved camping here. The sound of the waterfall all night long rocked us to sleep. We were well located to hike up to Kearsarge Pass in the morning. Our site (18) was a walk in, but it wasnt an issue to bring all the gear up to the site. It was pretty small for our 8-man tent, but we managed to fit it in. This place is a hidden gem!
@CarolynK9DE718 · Camped on Jul 11, 2025
Location is great but be prepared for very small sites and extremely slanted, no flat ground to speak of (at least in the walk up sites), we were all rolling off our mattresses all night.
@AaronP6927077 · Camped on Jul 10, 2025 at Campsite #11
The grounds were clean. And plenty of shade.
@ReubenW367FFCF · Camped on Jul 9, 2025 at Campsite #15
An absolutely gorgeous campground at the end of a long and winding road.
@MatthewH260473 · Camped on Jul 6, 2025 at Campsite #20
Everything was great except for the camp host not updating the reservation card on the campsite post. When we arrived there was someone in our site fully set up claiming that it wasnt reserved. Took over an hour for them to pack up and we had to setup in the dark.
@DougP9829816 · Camped on Jul 1, 2025 at Campsite #8
Beautiful setting.
@MichaelL540355 · Camped on Jun 25, 2025 at Campsite #2
Campsite 3 is very private and has several spots for smaller tents. A LOT of bugs but not the kind that bite.
@AlyshaT6658735 · Camped on Jun 24, 2025 at Campsite #8
Quiet, peaceful and a very convenient place to stay if youre hiking Kearsarge. Definitely recommend.
@GeneL7860890 · Camped on Jun 13, 2025 at Campsite #12
bathrooms were very clean and next to Campsite #12. The sites are easily identified. Campfire circle, table, etc.,, all in very good shape. Trees provide good shade for the site, which is more relevant in summer than spring. Because of general topography, campsite has bit of a slope.
@CaitlinSE9CAFF · Camped on Jun 12, 2025
Squatter in my campsite refused to vacate (I arrived in the afternoon, reservations in hand), no campground host to run interference, and impossible to contact anyone live for a refund. He claimed he got the site from an agency in the valley but Sierra Interagency Visitor Center couldnt assist and no luck reaching staff at ranger stations. With staffing cuts as they are, not surprised I got ripped off, but proceed w caution if you require a campsite to camp. I slept in the back of my car that night.
@ByungYC8E4347C · Camped on Jun 12, 2025 at Campsite #20
Amazing place. If your into hiking or fishing great place to book. Some campsites are remote since you have to hike to the sites. We reserved 7 sites for a big group and 4 sites were car camping sites (pretty large size), big enough fit few sprinter vans. Plenty of flowing water in the 3 waterfalls and many creeks. Only thing I can complain about the campground is no running spigets. But plenty of water in the creeks to filter or boil.
@BillR8884541 · Camped on Jun 12, 2025
Beautiful area, everything is nice and well maintained.
@JerryF6645567 · Camped on Jun 6, 2025
When I arrived, a stream was running through site 24, my reserved campsite. I walked all around Onion Valley campground and nothing was available. So, I drove down the mountain to Upper Gray's Meadow and found a site. Much lower elevation and hot.Circumstances beyond the control of Rec.gov, I understand, but I was not notified that my reserved site was not available.
@CJME883D2CDDB8 · Camped on Jun 1, 2025 at Campsite #29
The only problem we encountered was there is no Water in the campground. the nearest water is 7 miles away. the campground is very nice with a great view.
@StephenM951052 · Camped on May 23, 2025 at Campsite #3
Onion Valley is the perfect mix of accessible and remote wilderness. Clean and quiet.
@MarinaL8153975 · Camped on May 23, 2025
Onion Valley campground is a remote spot that is worth the long windy drive up the mountain while still being close enough to town for those that prefer being near civilization. With it's location next to the trails, it is a great home base for those looking to explore the nearby lakes, go fishing for the day, or just enjoy the views. Be warned that some of the walk-in sites will require a bit of uphill hauling of gear to your site. Promise though that the juice is worth the squeeze :]
@KennethW379361 · Camped on Sep 9, 2024
Somewhat private sites very convenient to Kearsarge Pass trailhead.
@CaroleCE43D5F5 · Camped on Sep 9, 2024 at Campsite #27
Our Class B van fit in #27. Fairly level. Beautiful location and easy access to Kearsarge Pass Trail. No cell service.
@JonasD6CB906CB · Camped on Sep 6, 2024 at Campsite #20
The campground is great. Hike to Kearsarge pass is tough but rewarding.
@MichaelD829846 · Camped on Aug 28, 2024
Great campground
@timG9124892 · Camped on Aug 26, 2024
The campground is beautiful and extremely well situated to launch yourself over Kearsarge Pass. It was clean and the vault toilets were in good condition. However, the walk-in sites (with no parking) are in bad shape. Site 25 in particular barely has any flat ground to pitch a tent on and the bear box is on the verge of falling down the hillside.
@ErinD7039230 · Camped on Aug 20, 2024
My reservation was not posted at the campsite, and another party was unpacking their gear into the site when I arrived. The website describes the site as having a back in parking space, which it did not. There was no parking for the site. I had to unpack with my car in the road, then move my car to the area for pack-in camping.
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