Can you reserve a site at Grays Meadows?

Yes, Grays Meadows is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Grays Meadows have?

53 sites in total, of which 31 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Grays Meadows?

40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Grays Meadows?

Yes, pets are allowed at Grays Meadows.

Are campfires allowed at Grays Meadows?

Campfires are allowed at Grays Meadows. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Grays Meadows, California — 31 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Grays Meadows Campground is situated along Independence Creek in the Onion Valley area of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its location on the creek and proximity to the rugged John Muir Wilderness make it a popular hub for hikers, anglers, spring skiers and snowboarders.

Opening and closing dates may be dependent on weather conditions.

Recreation

Majestic mountain scenery and challenging trails draw campers to the Onion Valley area for hiking and horseback riding. The well-known and demanding Shepherd Pass Trail, which can be reached just west of Grays Meadows Campground, heads up to alpine lakes and the high peaks of the John Muir Wilderness.

Independence Creek is regularly stocked with trophy-size rainbow trout. Anglers flock to the creek for its early trout fishing season, which starts the first weekend in March, ahead of much of the area.

Facilities

The facility consists of an upper and lower campground. The creek borders one side; sites 10, 12, 13, 14, 40, 41, 46 and 51 are closest to the water. Most of the campground is located in a large oak grove, providing shade.

The area is frequented by bears so campers must store food in the bear-proof lockers provided on-site. Firewood is available for purchase at the campground.

Natural Features

Grays Meadows Campground offers a wandering creek, both sunny and shaded campsites and a high-desert landscape. It sits at an elevation 6,100 ft. and is bordered on the west by Mt. Williamson and Mt. Whitney, the highest peaks in the contiguous United States. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and many species of fish and birds.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (602) 726-1102.

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.

The facts

31 bookable sites
53 sites in total, including non-bookable
4 accessible sites
Vehicles up to 40 ft
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: AREA GRAYS MEADOWS, GRAY

Site types

31 Standard Nonelectric
22 Management

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

53 campsites at Grays Meadows

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
002	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
004	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
006	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
007	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
008	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
011	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
016	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
022	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
024	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
026	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
028	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
030	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
032	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
034	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
036	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
038	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
042	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
044	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
045	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
048	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
052	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	—	—	—	—
XXX	AREA GRAYS MEADOWS	Management	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	6	🐾
001	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	6	🐾
003	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	6	🐾
005	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	6	🐾
009	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	25 ft	6	🐾
010	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	25 ft	6	🐾
012	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	25 ft	6	🐾
013	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	25 ft	6	🐾
014	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	6	♿ 🐾
015	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	6	🐾
017	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	6	♿ 🐾
018	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	6	🐾
019	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	25 ft	6	🐾
020	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	6	♿ 🐾
021	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	6	♿ 🐾
023	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	6	🐾
025	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	35 ft	6	🐾
027	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	6	🐾
029	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	6	🐾
031	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	6	🐾
033	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	6	🐾
035	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	40 ft	6	🐾
037	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	6	🐾
039	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	6	🐾
040	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	25 ft	6	🐾
041	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	20 ft	6	🐾
043	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	6	🐾
046	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	25 ft	6	🐾
047	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	35 ft	6	🐾
049	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	6	🐾
050	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	35 ft	6	🐾
051	GRAY	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	6	🐾

Getting there

Grays Meadows is 6 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) and follow for 6 miles. The first gate accesses sites 36-52. The second gate is 0.25 miles up the road and accesses sites 1-35. Campground manager is at site 7.

36.76889, -118.29500 · 36°46'8.0"N 118°17'42.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 102°F in Jul, down to 57°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	58	61	69	76	85	96	102	101	93	81	67	57
Low °F	30	33	39	44	53	62	67	65	58	48	36	29
Precip in	1.4	0.9	0.7	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.5	0.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Grays Meadows

Can you reserve a site at Grays Meadows?: Yes, Grays Meadows is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Grays Meadows have?: 53 sites in total, of which 31 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Grays Meadows?: 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Grays Meadows?: Yes, pets are allowed at Grays Meadows.
Are campfires allowed at Grays Meadows?: Campfires are allowed at Grays Meadows. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Grays Meadows

Onion Valley 2.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Whitney Portal 12.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lone Pine 13.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Goodale Creek Campground 15 mi · Campground · we watch it
Tuttle Creek Campground 16.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Sheep Creek Campground 20.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Moraine Campground (CA) 20.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Canyon View Group Sites 20.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Upper Grays Meadow Campground 0.9 mi · Campground
Lower Grays Meadow Campground 1 mi · Campground
Block 14 8.5 mi · Visitor Center
Mt. Whitney Trailhead Campground 12.9 mi · Campground

Contact

Phone 760-937-6070
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Grays Meadows