Campground

Grays Meadows

Inyo National Forest · California — managed by USDA Forest Service

Sites open now — checked live on Recreation.gov
Grays Meadows campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · Local staff

Weekend availability at Grays Meadows

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 18, 3:34 PM PT

Sold out 1 of the next 6 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.

  • Fri, Sep 18
    Sold out
  • Fri, Sep 25
    Limited
    6/31 sites
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Open
    10/31 sites
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Open
    22/31 sites
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Open
    18/31 sites
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Open
    22/31 sites

Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.

How booked is Grays Meadows?

as of September 19

Sites are open right now — we found space out to Oct. That changes fast at a campground. We check Grays Meadows around the clock, so the moment your dates fill up and a cancellation reopens them, you'll be first to know. Weekdays still have room — for now.

Weekends (Saturday night)

Sep 26Open
Oct 3Open
Oct 17Open
Oct 24Open

Weekdays (Wednesday night)

Sep 23Open
Oct 7Open
Oct 21Open

Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
53
Max rig length
40 ft
Standard No Hookup

About this campground

Overview Grays Meadows Campground is situated along Independence Creek in the Onion Valley area of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its location on the creek and proximity to the rugged John Muir Wilderness make it a popular hub for hikers, anglers, spring skiers and snowboarders. Opening and closing dates may be dependent on weather conditions.Recreation Majestic mountain scenery and challenging trails draw campers to the Onion Valley area for hiking and horseback riding. The well-known and demanding Shepherd Pass Trail, which can be reached just west of Grays Meadows Campground, heads up to alpine lakes and the high peaks of the John Muir Wilderness. Independence Creek is regularly stocked with trophy-size rainbow trout. Anglers flock to the creek for its early trout fishing season, which starts the first weekend in March, ahead of much of the area.Facilities The facility consists of an upper and lower campground. The creek borders one side; sites 10, 12, 13, 14, 40, 41, 46 and 51 are closest to the water. Most of the campground is located in a large oak grove, providing shade. The area is frequented by bears so campers must store food in the bear-proof lockers provided on-site. Firewood is available for purchase at the campground.Natural Features Grays Meadows Campground offers a wandering creek, both sunny and shaded campsites and a high-desert landscape. It sits at an elevation 6,100 ft. and is bordered on the west by Mt. Williamson and Mt. Whitney, the highest peaks in the contiguous United States. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and many species of fish and birds. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (602) 726-1102. Nearby Attractions Campers can enter the John Muir Wilderness, a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially carved terrain, via nearby trails.

Getting there

Grays Meadows is 6 miles west of the town of Independence, California. Take U.S. Highway 395 to Independence. Turn west on Market Street (which turns into Onion Valley Road) and follow for 6 miles. The first gate accesses sites 36-52. The second gate is 0.25 miles up the road and accesses sites 1-35. Campground manager is at site 7.

Elevation
6,883 ft
Contact
760-937-6070

Activities

  • HIKING
  • FISHING
  • CAMPING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Grays Meadows

Popular California campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Grays Meadows around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.

Not ready to subscribe? Get a free weekend heads-up.

We'll email you if Grays Meadows opens up for a weekend you pick. No account needed.

Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.