Can you reserve a site at Whitney Portal?

Yes, Whitney Portal is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Whitney Portal have?

47 sites in total, of which 46 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Whitney Portal?

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

Are pets allowed at Whitney Portal?

Yes, pets are allowed at Whitney Portal.

Are campfires allowed at Whitney Portal?

Campfires are allowed at Whitney Portal. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Whitney Portal, California — 46 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Whitney Portal Campground is in a prime location within the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains - at the base of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States.

With hiking trails to Mt. Whitney and the John Muir Wilderness less than a mile away, the campground is a popular home base for hikers, as well as family, RV and tent campers who wish to explore the area's activities and enjoy unparalleled scenery.

Recreation

Hikers are drawn to the majestic scenery and challenging trails of the Whitney Portal recreation area. Nearby trails lead into the John Muir Wilderness and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

The campground is only 0.5 miles from trailheads to Mt. Whitney, Meysan Lake and other popular destinations. Visitors should be aware that hiking in this area may require a permit.

Visitors can also hike, fish and picnic in the area around the campground. There are numerous lakes, streams and a small pond in the area for trout fishing.

Facilities

The campground is adjacent to Whitney Creek and just down the road from Trailhead Campground. Numerous campsites are arranged on either side of the creek, including three group camping areas and several tent-only sites. Paved roads, vault toilets and drinking water are provided.

Bears frequent the area, and campers are required to use the bear-proof food storage lockers provided in the facility (all supplies must fit; dimensions are 18 inches high, 18 inches deep and 50 inches long). Firewood is available for purchase on-site, and a small convenience store with showers is nearby.

Natural Features

The facility is situated in a thick pine forest at an elevation of 8,000 ft. Campers can see striking views of the rugged granite peaks surrounding it.

The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds. This campground is especially prone to bear activity.

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. Mt. Whitney is within the wilderness area and entry is available by lottery for experienced hikers.

John Muir Wilderness

Contact Info

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

The facts

46 bookable sites
47 sites in total, including non-bookable
Vehicles up to 35 ft
Up to 15 people per site
Loops: PORT, WHIT

Site types

26 Standard Nonelectric
16 Tent Only Nonelectric
3 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
1 Management
1 Walk To

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Shade
Pets allowed

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

Book on Recreation.gov

47 campsites at Whitney Portal

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
G1	PORT	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	15	🐾
G2	PORT	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	15	🐾
G3	PORT	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	15	🐾
001	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	35 ft	6	🐾
002	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
003	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	26 ft	6	🐾
004	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
005	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	6	🐾
006	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
007	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	6	🐾
008	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	6	🐾
009	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	6	🐾
010	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	32 ft	6	🐾
011	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	6	🐾
012	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
013	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	6	🐾
014	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
015	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	6	🐾
016	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
017	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	28 ft	6	🐾
018	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
019	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	22 ft	6	🐾
020	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
021	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	6	🐾
022	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
023	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	—	6	🐾
024	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
025	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	24 ft	6	🐾
026	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
027	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	26 ft	6	🐾
028	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
029	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	28 ft	6	🐾
030	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
031	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	22 ft	6	🐾
032	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
033	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	30 ft	6	🐾
034	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
035	WHIT	Management	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
036	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
037	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	26 ft	6	🐾
038	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	16 ft	6	🐾
039	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	6	🐾
040	WHIT	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	18 ft	6	🐾
041	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	6	🐾
042	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	6	🐾
043	WHIT	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	6	🐾
044	WHIT	Walk To	Back In	Paved	—	6	🐾

Getting there

From U.S. Highway 395 in California, travel to the town of Lone Pine. The campground is 13 miles west of Lone Pine on Whitney Portal Road.

36.58986, -118.22978 · 36°35'23.5"N 118°13'47.2"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, 14.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Whitney Portal

Can you reserve a site at Whitney Portal?: Yes, Whitney Portal is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Whitney Portal have?: 47 sites in total, of which 46 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Whitney Portal?: 35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Whitney Portal?: Yes, pets are allowed at Whitney Portal.
Are campfires allowed at Whitney Portal?: Campfires are allowed at Whitney Portal. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Whitney Portal also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Whitney Portal's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

$32.00 per night

Restrictions:

Active bear area, bear boxes are provided and must be used (typical bear box size 48" x 30" x 36").

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Whitney Portal

Lone Pine 2.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Tuttle Creek Campground 6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Grays Meadows 12.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Onion Valley 14.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cold Springs Campground (CA) 23.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mt. Whitney Trailhead Campground 0.6 mi · Campground
Cottonwood Lakes Walk in Campground 10 mi · Campground
Cottonwood Pass Walk in Campground 10.4 mi · Campground
Block 14 10.5 mi · Visitor Center
Lower Grays Meadow Campground 13.6 mi · Campground
Upper Grays Meadow Campground 13.7 mi · Campground
Mineral King Ranger Station 23.2 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 760-937-6070
Book Recreation.gov

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

Whitney Portal