Big Pine Canyon

4.94

23 reviews

INYO, CA, USA

Scenic ViewsGreat HikingSummer Destination

Featured in:Summer Camping California#1 Fall Camping California#1 Mountain Camping California

Quick Facts

7,533 ft

Price

$25.25 - $33/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

22 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens booking site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

7,533 ft

Price

$25.25 - $33/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

22 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens booking site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Big Pine Canyon

$25.25 - $33.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Food Storage Locker Description and tool for amenities.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.94

Top-Rated

Based on 23 reviews

10 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanhikingfriendlywell-maintained

"The campground consistently receives praise for its scenic beauty, clean facilities, and friendly hosts. Visitors frequently highlight the proximity to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and the tranquil setting. Wildlife encounters, such as deer and occasional black bears, add to the allure of the location."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

INYO, CA, USA

Big Pine Canyon

INYO, CA, USA

Driving directionsFrom Highway 395 in Big Pine, California, turn west at flashing yellow traffic light and continue on Crocker Street/Big Pine Road for 9 miles. The group campground is just above Upper Sage Flat Campground on the left.

Roads connecting to the campground are paved and accessible year-round, though conditions may vary with weather. Closures or restrictions on campfires may occur during dry, hot seasons.

Nearby supplies

A nearby resort offers limited supplies, hot food, and pay showers

residents often drive down to near the town for supplies.

Best Time to Camp at Big Pine Canyon

Big Pine Canyon transforms with the seasons, each offering its own unique rewards. Summer brings warm days perfect for hiking and climbing, with temperatures reaching the mid-70s at lower elevations while remaining refreshingly cool near the glaciers. Afternoon thunderstorms can roll through July and August, creating spectacular light shows across the granite peaks. Fall paints the canyon in golden aspens and offers crisp, clear days ideal for photography. Winter blankets the area in snow, attracting backcountry skiers and mountaineers, while spring showcases rushing waterfalls fed by snowmelt and carpets of wildflowers emerging from the thaw.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

5.0 / 5

Top 2% in CA

Summer reviews highlight excellent hiking and fishing and favorable weather for access.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 5% in CA

Fall praised for quieter visits and spectacular foliage in reviews.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Spring offers shoulder-season hiking and melting snow; conditions can be variable.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.5 / 5

Winter camping occurs but is less common; access and services reduced in winter.

Planning Tips

About Big Pine Canyon

Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Sierra, Big Pine Canyon offers adventurers a gateway to some of California's most dramatic alpine wilderness. This stunning canyon serves as your basecamp for exploring ancient glaciers, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and towering granite peaks that pierce the sky at over 14,000 feet. Whether you're seeking challenging mountaineering routes or peaceful streamside camping, Big Pine Canyon delivers an authentic High Sierra experience that will leave you breathless—both from the altitude and the sheer beauty surrounding you.

Big Pine Canyon Group Campground is tailored for group camping with two distinct sites—Clyde Glacier and Palisade Glacier—offering different configurations and amenities. The area primarily caters to tent campers and does not support RV hookups.

Historical SignificanceLong before climbers and hikers discovered its wonders, Big Pine Canyon served as a seasonal hunting ground for the Paiute people, who followed game into these high meadows each summer. The canyon's name derives from the massive Jeffrey pines that once dominated the lower elevations, many of which were harvested during the mining boom of the late 1800s. Today, the area stands as a testament to conservation efforts, preserving one of the last remaining glaciers in the Sierra Nevada and protecting critical habitat for species that have called these mountains home for millennia.

Weather and SeasonsBig Pine Canyon transforms with the seasons, each offering its own unique rewards. Summer brings warm days perfect for hiking and climbing, with temperatures reaching the mid-70s at lower elevations while remaining refreshingly cool near the glaciers. Afternoon thunderstorms can roll through July and August, creating spectacular light shows across the granite peaks. Fall paints the canyon in golden aspens and offers crisp, clear days ideal for photography. Winter blankets the area in snow, attracting backcountry skiers and mountaineers, while spring showcases rushing waterfalls fed by snowmelt and carpets of wildflowers emerging from the thaw.

ElevationYour journey begins at the trailhead at 7,700 feet, where the air already feels crisp and thin compared to the valley floor. As you ascend through the canyon, each thousand feet of elevation gain reveals new ecosystems—from shaded pine forests to exposed alpine meadows dotted with hardy wildflowers. The trail climbs steadily toward the glacier zone, reaching elevations exceeding 11,000 feet where only the most resilient plants survive. Here, amid the realm of marmots and mountain goats, the landscape becomes otherworldly, dominated by bare granite, permanent snowfields, and the ancient ice of the Palisades Glacier.

Natural Features and SceneryPrepare to be awestruck by nature's grandeur at every turn in Big Pine Canyon. Turquoise alpine lakes mirror jagged peaks in their still waters, creating perfect reflections that seem almost surreal. The crown jewel remains the magnificent Palisades Glacier, stretching across the cirque like a frozen river of time. Waterfalls cascade down sheer granite walls, feeding pristine streams that tumble through meadows bursting with Indian paintbrush and lupine. Ancient foxtail pines, some over a thousand years old, stand sentinel on rocky outcrops, their gnarled trunks telling stories of countless storms weathered and seasons passed.

Geological RegionBig Pine Canyon showcases the raw power of ice and time carved into the granite heart of the Sierra Nevada. Home to the Palisades Glacier—the largest glacier in the entire Sierra Nevada range—this geological wonderland reveals millions of years of Earth's history in its exposed rock faces and moraines. The canyon itself was sculpted by massive glaciers during the Ice Age, leaving behind the characteristic U-shaped valley, polished granite slabs, and scattered erratics that make this region a living textbook of glacial geology. Today's remaining glacier continues this ancient work, slowly but persistently reshaping the landscape for future generations to marvel at.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 days

Groups

Each group site accommodates up to 25 people. Clyde Glacier features parking for two 35-foot vehicles and six 20-foot vehicles, while Palisade Glacier is exclusively for tent camping. Both sites have bear-proof lockers, picnic tables, and access to vault toilets.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

AccessibilityThe campground features paved parking spaces and areas for vehicle access. However, detailed ADA-specific accommodations are not mentioned in the sources.

Site SizeEach group site accommodates up to 25 guests. Clyde Glacier offers parking for two 35-foot vehicles and six 20-foot vehicles.

PrivacyBoth sites offer varying degrees of privacy. Clyde Glacier has shaded areas at the north end and sunny spots at the south end. The campground is generally quiet, with the sound of Big Pine Creek nearby.

Total Campsites22 campsites

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Big Pine Canyon Group Campground offers a range of activities catering to outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing is a popular pastime in nearby lakes and Big Pine Creek, which runs adjacent to the sites. Hiking trails, including the North Fork and South Fork Trails, lead to glacial lakes and stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Wildlife viewing is common, with deer frequently spotted near the campsites. Additionally, climbing opportunities are available on the glacier-carved canyon walls.

HikingThe North Fork Trail offers a scenic route past waterfalls and through diverse vegetation, eventually reaching Big Pine Lakes with views of the Palisade Glacier. For those seeking a shorter trek, the South Fork Trail leads to glacial-fed lakes. One user noted, 'Our grandson caught a trout in the creek & one of his uncles hiked up one of the trails to do lake fishing.'

ClimbingClimbing opportunities may be available in nearby natural areas such as rocky outcrops, boulders, or cliff faces. Visitors should bring appropriate gear and check local regulations or park guidelines before attempting any climbs.

FishingFishing is a highlight of the campground, with opportunities to catch trout in Big Pine Creek and nearby lakes. Reviews often mention successful fishing trips: 'Our grandson caught a trout in the creek,' said one user.

Wildlife viewingWildlife is abundant in the area, with frequent sightings of deer and occasional black bears. 'Every morning there were deer close to where we were,' one reviewer shared. Another noted a black bear visiting one of the group sites.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Big Pine Canyon

Reviews

4.9

23 reviews

Top-Rated

Big Pine Canyon is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground consistently receives praise for its scenic beauty, clean facilities, and friendly hosts. Visitors frequently highlight the proximity to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and the tranquil setting. Wildlife encounters, such as deer and occasional black bears, add to the allure of the location.

Review Summaries

Based on 23 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean and well-maintained facilities, proximity to Big Pine Creek and hiking trails, effective bear-proof storage lockers, friendly campground hosts, and abundant wildlife sightings.

Based on 23 reviews

Common Concerns

No cell phone reception, limited shade in certain areas, and occasional bear visits requiring extra caution with food storage.

Based on 23 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Use Crocker Street between the Shell and Chevron gas stations in Big Pine to reach the campground. Store all food and scented items in bear-proof lockers. The north end of Clyde Glacier offers more...

Based on 23 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews emphasize the excellent hiking and fishing conditions, while fall visitors appreciate the quieter atmosphere and spectacular foliage. Winter camping is less common but offers...

Based on 23 reviews

Camper Quotes

'Loved this camping spot. The creek ran just behind our site so we could hear it running.' - Joseph Luna. 'The vault toilets (clean) and dumpster separate the two sites.' - Tony Garcia. 'Our grandson...

Based on 23 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Clyde Glacier Group Site is noted for its north-end shade and creekside views, while Palisade Glacier is praised for its exclusivity to tent campers. Both sites have vault toilets and bear boxes and...

Based on 23 reviews