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Onion Valley
FSU.S. Forest Service — California · Inyo National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Inyo National Forest |
| Location | California · Inyo National Forest · 36.77472, -118.34556 · Map |
| Sites | 29 public sites counted from the federal listing — 12 standard nonelectric; 10 tent only nonelectric; 7 walk to |
| 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 29 sites Water hookups at 0 of 29 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 29 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 29 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 25 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 17 sites · 30 ft: 0 sites · 35 ft: 0 sites · 40 ft: 0 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 30 sites, as reported |
| 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 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. 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. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (602) 726-1102.
Directions, from the listing
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.
Nearest federal campgrounds
3 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceWhitney Portal
14 mi straight-line · LONE PINE CaliforniaBLMBureau of Land ManagementGoodale Creek Campground
15 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceLone Pine
15 mi straight-line · LONE PINE CaliforniaNPSNational Park ServiceSheep Creek Campground
17 mi straight-line · Three Rivers California
Trip Card — Onion Valley
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 25 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 29 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232077 · 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.