Campground

Onion Valley

Inyo National Forest · California — managed by USDA Forest Service

Onion Valley campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · USFS

Weekend availability at Onion Valley

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 18, 3:04 AM PT

Sold out 2 of the next 6 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.

  • Fri, Sep 18
    Sold out
  • Fri, Sep 25
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Open
    12/29 sites
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Open
    20/29 sites
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Open
    25/29 sites
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Open
    26/29 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.

Campsites & amenities

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

Campsites
30
Max rig length
25 ft
Standard No HookupTent Only No HookupWalk-In

About this campground

Overview This quiet campground is set amidst breathtaking scenery of rugged mountain peaks, thick forests and waterfalls in the Onion Valley area of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its location on the creek and proximity to the John Muir Wilderness make it a popular hub for hikers, anglers, photographers and those who want to relax in a peaceful, natural setting.Recreation Majestic scenery and challenging trails draw campers to the Onion Valley area for hiking and horseback riding. The campground is near Kearsarge Pass, Robinson Lake and Golden Trout Lakes Trailheads, which access several alpine lakes and mountain peaks within the John Muir Wilderness, as well as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. The eastern Sierras are also known for exceptional trout fishing. From the campground, anglers can try for rainbow, brown, brook and Alpers trout in Robinson Lake and a nearby creek.Facilities The campground is tucked away near the end of Onion Valley Road. Campsites are private and primitive, and every site has a scenic view. Amenities include vault toilets, and bear-proof food storage lockers, which campers are required to use. Firewood is for sale on-site.Natural Features Situated at an elevation of 9,200 feet, the campground is surrounded by the towering peaks of the John Muir Wilderness and immersed in shrubs, lodgepole pine and aspens. Lovely wildflowers color the landscape in late spring and early summer. The campground is adjacent to a creek and lake. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear,which frequent the campground, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, 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. Some trails lead into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to the west.

Getting there

The campground is 13 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. Follow Onion Valley Road for 13 miles to the campground.

Elevation
9,598 ftCold nights, seasonal snow
Contact
760-937-6070

Activities

  • WILDLIFE VIEWING
  • HORSEBACK RIDING
  • HIKING
  • FISHING
  • CAMPING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Onion Valley

Popular California campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Onion Valley 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.

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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.