California
Portagee Joe Campground
Established Campground
Fifteen sites tucked among granite boulders at treeline on Whitney Portal Road, 3 miles below the portal itself. Each site has table and fire ring, with vault toilets and no water — pack your own. Sites 1-8 handle larger rigs better, while upper sites require maneuvering around boulders. Gets slammed during Whitney season (May-October) and fills by Thursday for weekends.
The 13-mile climb from Lone Pine involves serious switchbacks and steep grades — check your brakes and coolant before ascending. Snow closes the upper portal road typically November through April, but the campground sometimes remains accessible via snowshoe or cross-country ski.
High-elevation granite campground below Whitney
Place Details
| Type | Established Campground |
|---|---|
| Street address | Meysan Lakes Trail, Whitney Portal, California Get directions → |
| Elevation (ft) | 9200 ft |
| Nearest town | Lone Pine, California |
| Miles from pavement | 13 mi |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle |
| Access road surface | Paved |
| Cell service | None |
| Capacity (# of rigs) | 15 rigs |
| Cost (USD/night, 0 = free) | $28.00 / night |
| Reservation required | Yes — Reservation site |
| Stay limit (nights) | 14 nights |
| Best season | May-October |
| Land manager | USFS |
| Permit required | No |
| Amenities | Fire ring, Picnic table, Toilets |
| Coordinates | Open directions |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |