How much does camping cost at Upper Sage Flat?

Camping fees at Upper Sage Flat are $29 - $31/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Upper Sage Flat first-come first-served or reservation?

Upper Sage Flat accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Upper Sage Flat before I book?

Yes! Upper Sage Flat has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Upper Sage Flat?

Upper Sage Flat is open April 17 to October 23. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Upper Sage Flat?

Upper Sage Flat does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Upper Sage Flat?

Fire policies at Upper Sage Flat: Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Upper Sage Flat have?

Upper Sage Flat has 21 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Upper Sage Flat?

Yes, pets are allowed at Upper Sage Flat. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Upper Sage Flat?

Upper Sage Flat offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Upper Sage Flat?

Popular activities at Upper Sage Flat include Hiking, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Upper Sage Flat

4.52

192 reviews

INYO, CA, USA

B+Report Card

Featured in:Camping Near Kings Canyon National Park#3 Mountain Camping California Best Campgrounds California

Quick Facts

8,500 ft

Price

$29 - $31/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

21 campsites

Season

Open May 15 - Octobe...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Upper Sage Flat Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

8,500 ft

Price

$29 - $31/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

21 campsites

Season

Open May 15 - Octobe...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Upper Sage Flat Official Website

Get Directions

Upper Sage Flat

$29.00 - $31.00 / night

Campsite Fees

MANAGEMENT: $29.00 (+$2.00 holiday); STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $29.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Provider

760-935-4339AliceA@camprrm.com

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

INYO, CA, USA

Upper Sage Flat

INYO, CA, USA

Nearby places

Big Pine (9 miles, ~15 minutes drive)

Bishop (~30 miles, ~45 minutes drive)

Weather at Upper Sage Flat

Current alerts(7)

Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers
Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
For more information on Inyo National Forest, click here
Outside peak season, campsites are open for walk-ins

Best Time to Camp at Upper Sage Flat

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable access and the warmest, sunlit days at 8,500 ft — ideal for hiking the Big Pine Trail system, creekside swimming, and peak fishing when alpine streams are clear and fish are active. Expect daytime highs roughly 60–80°F and cool nights commonly thirtys to mid-40s°F, with long daylight for big days on the trail; afternoon thunderstorms are possible, so plan earlier starts and bring layers. Crowds are highest in July–August (weekends especially), while early July or Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Quieter and peaceful in mid‑Oct with good stargazing, though some seasonal limits apply.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 17 to October 23. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 15 - October 21

About Upper Sage Flat

Upper Sage Flat sits at 8,500 feet in Inyo National Forest near Big Pine, offering high-elevation alpine camping along Big Pine Creek. This small campground provides tent and RV sites with flush and vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Reviewers consistently praise the exceptionally clean facilities and attentive camp hosts who maintain raked, tidy sites ideal for hiking the Big Pine Trail system, fishing alpine streams, and wildlife viewing.

Upper Sage Flat Campground caters to a range of camping setups, including tent sites and RV sites. The emphasis is on traditional camping experiences alongside the creek.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable access and the warmest, sunlit days at 8,500 ft — ideal for hiking the Big Pine Trail system, creekside swimming, and peak fishing when alpine streams are clear and fish are active. Expect daytime highs roughly 60–80°F and cool nights commonly thirtys to mid-40s°F, with long daylight for big days on the trail; afternoon thunderstorms are possible, so plan earlier starts and bring layers. Crowds are highest in July–August (weekends especially), while early July or Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation8500 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryBig Pine Creek runs through the campground, its cold, clear water flowing from higher elevations toward the Owens Valley below. Jeffrey pines and cottonwoods provide shade across most sites, though some areas remain exposed to full sun. The surrounding landscape shows the work of ancient glaciers: narrow canyons, granite outcrops, and the high peaks of the Eastern Sierra forming the western skyline. The creek offers pools suitable for swimming when flow permits, and the sound of moving water reaches most sites.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo lodge or structured accommodation is available at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo information is available about cultural or educational programs.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Reported capacity varies significantly by site.

Groups

No designated group sites are mentioned in the information.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov website & app

AccessibilitySome campsites may have varying accessibility features, including proximity to amenities and flat tent sites. However, specific ADA-compliant facilities are not explicitly detailed.

Site SizeCampsites are mixed in size. Some are large and can accommodate RVs, such as Site 19, while others, like Site 3, are noted to be very small and only suitable for a small tent or car.

PrivacySites have varying levels of privacy. Some provide good separation, such as Site 10 at the top of the loop, while others are described as too close to neighbors.

Total Campsites21 campsites

Need help booking Upper Sage Flat?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Upper Sage Flat offers a range of amenities for visitors, enhancing the overall camping experience. Key facilities include paved parking aprons (most 40 feet long), flush toilets, potable drinking water, picnic tables, fire rings, and food storage lockers. However, there is some inconsistency in reviews regarding the presence of flush toilets. For example, one user noted in 2022 that 'In the facility description, there are flush toilets. In reality, there is no flush toilet and only one restroom in the entire facility,' suggesting possible recent changes or miscommunication.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Upper Sage Flat

Upper Sage Flat offers diverse recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and camping. The proximity to Big Pine Creek and the trailheads for the John Muir Wilderness make it a favorite for nature enthusiasts.

Hiking4.0/5

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Fishing3.0/5

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Creek, mountains, wildlife and glacial features provide strong photo opportunities.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.5

192 reviews

Top-Rated

Upper Sage Flat is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Upper Sage Flat are overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing the campground's cleanliness, beautiful natural setting by the creek, and attentive camp hosts. Negative comments primarily concern occasional site-specific issues like smells or proximity to vault toilets.

Review Summaries

Based on 192 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 192 reviews.

Site 10Loved
Site 10 is spacious and private, and Site 21 is creekside and peaceful.
Site 3Mentioned
Site 3 is very small and unsuitable for large trailers.
Site 19Issues noted
Site 19 is large with water access but has issues with smell.

What Campers Love

Campground cleanliness, serene ambiance, proximity to hiking trails, and helpful camp hosts are frequently praised. Direct quotes include: 'Cleanest restrooms at any campsite I have been to,' and...

Based on 192 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative aspects include smells near certain campsites (e.g., Site 19), limited site size (e.g., Site 3), and the lack of cell service. A user noted, 'The land by the water smells like...

Based on 192 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend booking early for larger sites, bringing shade or tarps due to sunny sites, and staying uphill from the toilets to avoid smells. One camper suggests, 'Stay in the shade and by the...

Based on 192 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the most popular time for visitors. While the creek and shade provide relief, some reviews mention bees and occasional flooding near sites. The off-season is quieter but lacks reservations...

Based on 192 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The sound of the creek is really loud, but was white noise when going to sleep.' 2. 'The vault toilet is very clean.' 3. 'The hosts Don and Lyn are the best.'

Based on 192 reviews

Accessibility Features

No detailed reviews address ADA accessibility, but some users mention flat tent sites and proximity to amenities as beneficial.

Based on 192 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and users frequently bring them. It is noted that pets must be leashed at all times, and no specific pet-related issues are mentioned.

Based on 192 reviews

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Upper Sage Flat

$29.00 - $31.00 / night

Campsite Fees

MANAGEMENT: $29.00 (+$2.00 holiday); STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $29.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

760-935-4339AliceA@camprrm.com

Go if

You want well-maintained sites near alpine hiking and fishing with attentive hosts and reliable summer access.

Skip if

You need lower elevation camping or want to avoid afternoon thunderstorms common at high altitude.

Nearby Campgrounds

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4.4

(292)

Big Pine Creek Campground

INYO

Big Pine Creek Campground sits in the high Sierra at the trailhead to Palisade Glacier, the southernmost glacier in North America. Recreation Resource Management operates this small seasonal campground in Inyo National Forest, where hikers launch multi-day trips into the John Muir Wilderness and photographers chase fall aspen color against the Palisade Crest. Sites accommodate tents and RVs along Big Pine Creek, with vault toilets, fire rings, and a 14-day stay limit.

Upper Sage Flat

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