Lone Pine Campground

This established Forest Service campground sits among massive granite boulders and Jeffrey pines at 6,000 feet elevation, serving as a crucial staging area for Whitney Portal runs and Alabama Hills exploration. 43 sites accommodate everything from tent campers to 40-foot rigs, though the boulder-studded layout means some sites are tight for longer vehicles. Water spigots are scattered throughout, and vault toilets handle the volume without getting too rank during peak season.

Located 13 miles up Whitney Portal Road from Lone Pine, the campground fills by noon April through October and requires reservations. Sites 15-20 offer the best views toward the Sierra escarpment, while sites near the back loop provide more privacy. The road up is paved but steep with tight switchbacks — check your rig’s cooling system before the climb.

High Sierra base camp beneath granite spires