Onion Valley Campground

Independence, CA 93526, United States

Contact: 7609376070

http://www.recreation.gov/camping/onion-valley/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70303

$22per night

RV/TrailersThis campground allows RVs or Trailers at some campsites

This campground has NO Electric hookups

This campground has NO sewer hookups

This campground has NO water hookups

This campground has NO showers on site

This campground is pet-friendly. Bring your pals!

This campground does NOT have accessibility campsites and features

Updated 2023-01-03

Overview

Nestled at 9,200 feet surrounded by the peaks of the John Muir Wilderness in Inyo National Forest, Onion Valley Campground is renowned for its tranquility and breaktaking mountain views.

The campground is located 13 miles west of the town of Independence. Turn off Highway 395 at Independence, then turn west on Market Street which turns into Onion Valley Road. 13 miles along Onion Valley Road is the campground.

Onion Valley is a primitive campground with no showers or hookups. There are around 30 family campsites available, out of which 7 are walk-in sites, and a few others are tent-only sites.

The rest can accommodate tents, RVs, or tent trailers with vehicles up to a maximum length of 16 or 25 feet depending on the site.

The campgrounds offer vault toilets, running water, picnic tables, and fire rings. This is bear country, so be sure to use the food storage lockers provided in every site.

Because the surrounding woodlands are home to many animals, including black bears, their visits to the campsites can occasionally be expected; thus, you also have access to a bear-proof food storage locker.

The campsite also has some undesignated ADA amenities. In addition, pets are permitted at the campgrounds as long as they are leashed and accompanied. The campground is usually open from late April through the end of October each year, weather permitting.

Best Campsites at Onion Valley Campground

Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at Onion Valley Campground.

Sites: #2 and #15

Standard sites that can accommodate only 1 vehicle of max. length of 16ft
Sites are suitable for 2 to 4 people
There is some shade because it is surrounded by trees and bushes.
Site 2 is close to the beginning of the trailhead.

Sites: #16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, and 25

Walk-in Tent only sites
Sites 18, 19, and 25 have a lot of shade
21 is one of the smallest site in the campground

Sites: # 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 22, 23, 26, 28, 29

Tent-only sites
Access to these sites are walk-in
Sites 1, 26, 28 and 29 are closer to the beginning of the trailhead as well as to the restroom.

Sites: #4 and #10

Accommodates only tents and vehicles up to 16 feet

Sites: # 3, 9, 11, 12, 9,13,14, 20, 27

Allows tents, RVs, and trailers up to 25 feet
Sites 3, 11, and 12 have ample shade in their campsite.

Unique Experiences

Onion Valley Campground is a peaceful place with views of the creek and a number of lakes that you would find through a long hiking trail.

Explore John Muir's stunning wilderness through the hike and/or bike paths that begin a few yards away from the campground, at the Kearsarge Pass Trailhead.
Anglers or swimmers can have a great time at a number of lakes along the Bubbs Creek Trail. The most prominent are Gilbert Lake, Flower Lake, and Kearsarge Lake.
Climb into one of the trail's many mountain summits, such as Mt. Gould, Kearsarge Pinnacles, and others, for some amazing views of the area.
Race through the rugged routes on your mountain bikes at the Rock Creek Area which is a 2-hr drive North from Onion Valley campground.

Onion Valley Campground Campground Rules

Pet Friendly

true

Max Trailer/RV Length

25 feet

Max Length of Stay

14 days

Max People per Site

Max Vehicles per Site

Fires Allowed

true

Onion Valley Campground Reservation Information

Reservations Allowed?

Reservations Required?

Yes

Onion Valley Campground reservations can be made online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777). Reservations are accepted on a rolling basis six months in advance, and you can reserve any time up to four days before your visit.

Each site costs $22 a night, and there is an $8 fee required upon arrival for every second car each night.

You may only reserve campsites for a maximum of 14 days, and you must reserve them for a minimum of two nights on days like Friday or Saturday. Stays with a Friday or Saturday night during a holiday weekend need at least a three-night booking. Holiday weekends include Columbus Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, New Year's Day, President's Day, Veterans' Day, and Christmas.

You may always call the campground's information center at (760) 876-6200 for further information.

Ensure you have the following information to make a reservation:

Park selections
Date you wish to start camping
Type and size of camping equipment
Number of people that will occupy the campsite
Number of nights you wish to camp
Alternative park and camping date choices
Your phone number and area code
Method of payment/Credit card number and expiration date
Mailing address

Group Camping Reservations

There are no group campsites, but 6 people are allowed per site, so you can reserve multiple adjacent sites.

Campsite Reservation Cancellations

You can cancel the reservation at recreation.gov, or by calling 1-877-444-6777. You will be charged a $10 cancellation charge and any non-refundable reservation fees you’ve already paid.

If you cancel a day before your scheduled arrival, you’ll be charged all the fees plus the first night’s fee.

There is also a $10 change fee if you wish to change your dates.

Onion Valley Campground Campground Cost

Standard Campsite

$22

Activities

Backpacking

Bike Trails

Horseback Riding

Hiking

Photography

Fishing

Amenities

RV/Trailers

Hookups

Pull Through Spots

Pet Friendly

ADA Sites

Showers

Campfire Rings

Grills

Picnic Tables

Wood for Sale

Onion Valley Campground Campground Map

VIEW IN FULL SCREEN

Directions

FAQs

What Is The Elevation Of Onion Valley Campground?

Is There Cell Service At Onion Valley Campground?

Are Dogs Allowed At Onion Valley Campground?

Are There Showers At Onion Valley Campground?

Are Fires Allowed At Onion Valley Campground?

Are There Hookups At Onion Valley Campground?

Nearby Campgrounds to Onion Valley Campground

Grays Meadows Campground

Grays Meadows Campground is a larger campground than the Onion Valley campground. It is divided into upper and lower campgrounds, with a total of about 87 sites compared to Onion Valley’s 30.

The sites are larger and allow two vehicles, including trailers and RVs, with a maximum length of 32 feet, which is about double the maximum size permitted at some Onion Valley sites. Gray Meadows have flush toilets while Onion Valley only has vault toilets.

Whitney Portal Campground

Both campgrounds are similar in size, with Whitney Portal having 43 and Onion Valley having 30. Whitney Portal has a tent-only group site costing $85 while Onion Valley has no group facilities. Standard sites cost $28 while Onion Valley fees are $22.

Both can accommodate tents and RVs, and although Whitney Portal is also a primitive campground, it has nearby shower facilities while Onion Valley has none. They both have vault toilets.

Lone Pine Campground

Lone Pine campground has a group site costing $70 for up to 15 people while Onion Valley doesn’t have any group camping facilities. Standard sites at Lone Pine cost $26 while it is $22 at Onion Valley.

Lone Pine can accommodate vehicles up to 30 feet in length, while some Onion Valley sites can only accommodate 16 feet and others 25 feet. There’s also a shower near Lone Pine but none near Onion Valley.

Big Pine Creek Campground

Having 30 sites each, both campgrounds are of similar size. A primitive campground, Big Pine Creek also has vault toilets only. Pay showers are available nearby while there are none in Onion Valley.

They are priced similarly, with Big Pine Creek costing $23 and Onion Valley costing $22.