How much does camping cost at Portuguese Joe Campground?

Camping fees at Portuguese Joe Campground range from $14/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Portuguese Joe Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Portuguese Joe Campground 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.

What is the best time to visit Portuguese Joe Campground?

Portuguese Joe Campground is open No specific peak season dates mentioned.. 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 Portuguese Joe Campground?

Portuguese Joe Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Portuguese Joe Campground?

Fire policies at Portuguese Joe Campground: Campfires are permitted, but campers must buy firewood locally.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Portuguese Joe Campground have?

Portuguese Joe Campground has 20 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Portuguese Joe Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Portuguese Joe Campground. 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 Portuguese Joe Campground?

Portuguese Joe Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Dump Station, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Portuguese Joe Campground?

Popular activities at Portuguese Joe Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing, Climbing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Portuguese Joe Campground

3.95

76 reviews

1360 N. Main St., BISHOP, California, 93514, United States

Top 16% in CASummer

Scenic ViewsStargazing

Featured in:Spring Camping California

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,334 ft

Price

$14/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Inyo County Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,334 ft

Price

$14/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Inyo County Official Website

Get Directions

Portuguese Joe Campground

$14.00 - $14.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The campground charges $14 per night per site, payable through a solar-powered machine using cash or card. A receipt is issued to display on site...

Standard Site Fee$14.00

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Provider

7608735577

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

1360 N. Main St., BISHOP, California, 93514, United States

Portuguese Joe Campground

1360 N. Main St., BISHOP, California, 93514, United States

Nearby places

Lone Pine (1 mile, approximately 5 minutes), Independence (16 miles, approximately 20 minutes), Bishop (42 miles, approximately 50 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Supplies can be found in Lone Pine, just 1 mile away, which offers grocery stores, fuel stations, and camping supplies.

Weather at Portuguese Joe Campground

Best Time to Camp at Portuguese Joe Campground

Summer brings the most reliable conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-90s°F and cool nights in the 50s–60s°F. This is peak season for accessing trails and viewpoints, though the 20-site campground fills up on weekends. The creek provides welcome relief during hotter stretches. Winter days average around 48°F, nights drop to 33°F. Rain and snow are rare. Spring and fall offer moderate temperatures and lighter crowds.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 16% in CA

Summer offers most reliable conditions, peak season for trails and viewpoints.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: No specific peak season dates mentioned.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round.

About Portuguese Joe Campground

Portuguese Joe Campground sits along a year-round creek at 4,334 feet, offering 20 sites between the Alabama Hills and Mt. Whitney. Fees run $14 per night. Some sites are reservable, others first-come, first-served. The creek and cottonwood shade create a pleasant basecamp, though campers note that sites can feel close together.

Portuguese Joe Campground offers only standard non-electric campsites. The sites are a mix of reservable and first-come, first-served options.

Historical Significance

The campground takes its name from a Lone Pine resident. Nearby Manzanar National Historic Site preserves the history of Japanese American incarceration during World War II. The Lone Pine Museum of Western Film documents the area's role as a filming location for hundreds of Western movies, many shot against the Alabama Hills backdrop.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the most reliable conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-90s°F and cool nights in the 50s–60s°F. This is peak season for accessing trails and viewpoints, though the 20-site campground fills up on weekends. The creek provides welcome relief during hotter stretches. Winter days average around 48°F, nights drop to 33°F. Rain and snow are rare. Spring and fall offer moderate temperatures and lighter crowds.

ElevationPerched in the dramatic Sierra foothills, Portuguese Joe occupies that perfect sweet spot where desert meets mountain. This moderate elevation provides the best of both worlds—accessible year-round camping without the extreme conditions of higher altitudes, yet close enough to the peaks to feel their majestic presence and enjoy cooler temperatures than the valley floor below.

Natural Features and SceneryA creek fed by the Los Angeles Aqueduct runs through the campground, providing constant water sounds and cottonwood shade. The Alabama Hills' rounded granite boulders sit nearby, and Mt. Whitney. The highest point in the lower 48. Dominates views to the west. Deer, rabbits, and various birds frequent the area. The high desert setting means dramatic contrasts: water and greenery in the immediate campground, arid terrain and weathered rock formations just beyond.

Geological RegionPortuguese Joe sits at the crossroads of geological wonders, where the weathered granite spires of the Alabama Hills meet the soaring Sierra Nevada range. This remarkable landscape showcases millions of years of Earth's sculptural work—from the ancient, rounded boulders that have served as backdrops for countless Western films to the sharp, glacially-carved peaks of Mt. Whitney, standing proud as the highest point in the contiguous United States. The controlled waters of the Los Angeles Aqueduct have transformed this high desert terrain into an unexpected oasis, where mountain streams flow year-round through a land of extremes.

Scenic ViewsThe campground offers incredible views of the Sierra Nevada mountains and Alabama Hills. "Holy stars! I haven’t seen a night sky like this in a long time," one user review states.

Lodging & AccommodationsOnly standard non-electric campsites are offered at this campground. No cabins, lodges, or glamping options are available.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are noted in the materials.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

No specified check-in time.

Check-out

No specified check-out time.

Stay Limit

No explicit stay limit defined.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 6 people per site.

Groups

No group sites are available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSites accommodate RVs up to 30–40 feet. Spacing varies. Walk-in sites toward the back spread out more, while reservable sites cluster closer together. Some campers mention feeling crowded during busy periods.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made at the campground's solar-powered payment machine on-site, but not reliably online according to user reviews.

Walk-in AvailabilityHalf a dozen sites (1, 2, 17, 18, 19, and 20) are held for first-come, first-served use, as mentioned in user reviews. Sites may fill quickly during holidays.

Cancellation PolicyNo cancellation policy details provided.

Site SizeThe campsites are standard size, with maximum equipment lengths varying between 30 to 40 feet.

PrivacyPrivacy varies across the sites. Some sites, like the high-numbered walk-in sites, are more spacious and private, while the reservable sites are closer together.

Total Campsites20 campsites

Recommended SitesFor a quieter experience with better spacing, choose higher-numbered walk-in sites. Sites near the creek, like 16 and 17, provide the relaxing sound of running water.

Best CampsitesSites 16 and 17 sit closest to the creek. Site 18 has two picnic tables but no fire pit. Site 19 comes with two picnic tables and two fire pits. High-numbered walk-in sites offer more spacing and privacy than the reservable sites closer to the entrance.

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Amenities available

Portuguese Joe Campground has a range of basic amenities suitable for campers looking for a simple yet scenic outdoor experience. The amenities include picnic tables, potable water, a clean water spigot, vault toilets, and a small stream running through the campground. Additionally, there are trash and recycling facilities.

Potable water

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Portuguese Joe Campground offers a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and ATV riding. The creek that runs through the campground provides a serene ambiance, although it is noted to be shallow and not popular for fishing.

Hiking

Climbing

Fishing

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include ants, local stray dogs, and shallow water in the creek, which limits fishing opportunities. Some sites have large trees, making them challenging for larger rigs. Users have reported occasional issues with payment machines.

No Flush ToiletsNo flush toilets are available.

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 Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyCampfires are permitted, but campers must buy firewood locally.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are No defined quiet hours mentioned.

Emergency ServicesClosest hospital: Southern Inyo Hospital in Lone Pine (approximately 1 mile away). Police station and ranger station also located nearby in Lone Pine.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and bottle-and-can recycling are available on-site.

Water FeaturesThe campground is adjacent to a small stream with controlled runoff.

Camp HostNo specific mention of hosts.

Cell CoverageThere is no explicit information available about cell phone service at the campground.

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

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.0

76 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Portuguese Joe Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Mixed reviews with some highlighting the scenic creek, clean facilities, and proximity to key attractions, while others criticize the lack of spaciousness between campsites and the condition of amenities like fire pits and tables.

Review Summaries

Based on 76 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic views, clean and well-maintained bathrooms, proximity to attractions like Alabama Hills and Mt. Whitney, and the relaxing ambiance of the creek.

Based on 76 reviews

Common Concerns

Campsites are close together, limited amenities, shallow creek, and some users reported issues like ants and stray dogs.

Based on 76 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites 16 and 17 are noted for their strong creek noise and extra amenities. Site 18 lacks a fire pit or BBQ but has extra picnic tables. High-numbered walk-in sites are more spacious and private.

Based on 76 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Choose high-numbered walk-in sites for more privacy and spacing. Be prepared for basic facilities as there are no showers or hookups available.

Based on 76 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are popular but can be busy, and occasional issues with campsite overbooking were reported. Winter visitors appreciated the quiet atmosphere.

Based on 76 reviews

Camper Quotes

“The stream running through the middle was very relaxing.” - John Graham; “Very nice campground…clean bathrooms and can’t beat the incredible view!” - Angela Sandhu; “You pay at a machine here…” -...

Based on 76 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews address accessibility features.

Based on 76 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but some users caution about stray dogs wandering the area.

Based on 76 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Alabama Hills photographers, Whitney trail-preppers, and stargazers who want a cheap launch pad near Lone Pine's supplies. Grab the high-numbered walk-in sites for real breathing room; sites 16 and 17 deliver strong creek sound if that's your sleep aid.

Skip if

Hookups, showers, or elbow room between neighbors are non-negotiable. The reservable sites cluster tight, the creek's too shallow to fish seriously, and stray dogs plus ants are recurring complaints from reviewers.

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Tuttle Creek Campground

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Tuttle Creek Campground sits at the base of the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, offering direct access to Mount Whitney views and sculpted granite formations. Managed by the BLM Bishop Field Office, this large campground accommodates tent, RV, primitive, and group camping with basic amenities including vault toilets, potable water, and a dump station. Visitors hike the Alabama Hills trails, photograph the Sierra Nevada backdrop, and stargaze under some of California's darkest skies.