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Grays Meadows
FSU.S. Forest Service — California · Inyo National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Inyo National Forest |
| Location | California · Inyo National Forest · 36.76889, -118.29500 · Map |
| Sites | 31 public sites counted from the federal listing — 31 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 31 sites Water hookups at 0 of 31 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 31 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 31 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 40 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 31 sites · 30 ft: 24 sites · 35 ft: 13 sites · 40 ft: 8 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 11:00 AM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 32 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 4 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 760-937-6070 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-09-01.
From the official listing
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.
Directions, from the listing
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.
Nearest federal campgrounds
3 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceWhitney Portal
13 mi straight-line · LONE PINE CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceLone Pine
13 mi straight-line · LONE PINE CaliforniaBLMBureau of Land ManagementGoodale Creek Campground
15 mi straight-line · CaliforniaBLMBureau of Land ManagementTuttle Creek Campground
17 mi straight-line · California
Trip Card — Grays Meadows
California · Inyo National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | California · Inyo National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 40 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 31 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232052 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.