Onion Valley Road — Eastern Sierra Crest to Kearsarge Pass Trailhead via Independence
5,000 feet of Eastern Sierra granite in 13 miles.
Most people drive Onion Valley Road without blinking — then they hit the first real switchback and start paying attention. The road climbs nearly 5,000 feet from Independence, California, in roughly 13 miles, threading exposed granite shelves above the Owens Valley floor before dumping out at 9,200 feet in a cirque ringed by peaks above 13,000 feet. The Kearsarge Pass trailhead sits at road’s end, and on a clear summer morning the air is thin, the light is hard, and the granite is absolutely relentless. Watch the road shoulders — they drop off without ceremony. Golden trout live in the creeks cutting down from the pass above.
Stock passenger cars make this drive regularly, so the road itself isn’t technical — but the grade, altitude, and narrow exposure demand you’re awake. Four-season tires and a sober throttle foot matter more than lockers here. Best season is late June through October; early season means snowpack and a gated lower section. No dispersed camping at the trailhead lot but developed sites exist at Onion Valley Campground a half-mile below. Inyo National Forest manages it. Fuel in Independence before you go — there’s nothing above town. Cell service vanishes fast.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel, Paved |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 13 mi / 20.9 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9200 ft |
| Best season | Late June–October |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle with good brakes |
| Nearest town | Independence, CA |
| Land manager | Inyo National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock sedan or SUV handle Onion Valley Road?
Yes — the road is paved and gravel, so a stock sedan can make it as long as your brakes are in good shape. The descent is steep and sustained, so overheated brakes are the real risk here, not clearance.
When does Onion Valley Road typically open and close each year?
Late June through October is the reliable window, depending on snowpack. The upper section near 9,200 feet can stay snow-covered well into June in heavy snow years — check Inyo National Forest road conditions before you go.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to drive or camp on Onion Valley Road?
No permit or fee is required to drive the road. Overnight camping at Onion Valley Campground requires a fee and reservations are highly recommended in summer. Wilderness permits are required if you're hiking beyond the trailhead into the backcountry.
What's the hardest part of this drive and what should I actually be prepared for?
The difficulty isn't technical — it's the relentless switchbacks and 4,900 feet of elevation gain over 13 miles. The real challenge is brake fade on the way down; if you're in a heavy rig or tow vehicle, use low gear and don't ride your brakes the whole descent.
Is there any cell service on Onion Valley Road, and how far is the nearest gas?
Cell service is essentially zero once you leave Independence. Fuel up in Independence or Lone Pine before heading up — there are no services on the road and the next reliable gas going north or south is a meaningful drive on US-395.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.