Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board First Come Camping Sights, how often available?

Whats the deal on FF camping sites. We just show up and hope to get lucky? I really don't want to drive hundreds of miles and then find out there is no where to camp except Alabama Hills. Looking for a Fri/Sat, possibly Thur/Fri/Sat nite. Yes I am on the scheduling and nothing available for months.

Any advice appreciated on how to get a camping spot anywhere in the portal area before the temps drop below 60F during the day......Well except for the sites to far from an out house as we are getting older and peeing in the middle of the night in bear country has the wife concerned......

Last visit, 50 years ago!
Thanks in advance
Scott

Scott,
The FF campsites are pretty iffy right now up and down the Owens Valley. First off they are not vacated any faster than the limit of stay -often 7-14 days depending on the campground so it takes some luck especially at a place like Whitney Portal. I live further north outside of Bishop on Highway 168 and we are seeing a very robust camping interest along with having a reduced number of facilities open. If I were you I would be ready to check out places like the Tuttle Creek site. I know it is lower than most Whitney folks want but it is fundamentally a good campground. After that I would consider the private Boulder Creek RV "resort".
Scott M.