Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Camping between Lone Pine and Portal

Can we pull up the evening before we hike and set up camp anywhere? reservations? cost? Last imte we stayed at the Dow Villa. We'd like to do it rougher and cheaper this time. : )
Thanks for the help!

You can camp in the Alabama Hills for free (BLM land/no facilities) or camp at either Portagee Joe, Diaz Lake (county $10), Lone Pine Creek ($12), or Tuttle Creek (BLM campground...donation). Diaz Lake is nice and has solar showers!

JerLund,
I can't speak from experience, but I've done a ton of research(mostly because of this addictive messageboard!!!)
Try this link. http://pub4.caso.ca.blm.gov/bishop/tuttle.html

From what I hear Tuttle Creek campground is down the canyon at 5,000ft and is rarely full. I'm planning on camping there the night after our climb in Sept. I believe there is a Lone Pine campground as well a bit closer to town.

However, I believe there are about 16 non-reservable spots at Whitney Portal specifically for Whitney hikers. So if you get there early you might be OK.

Good luck and Happy Trails

perfect! thanks for the information.

Reiksgib, you're right this is addictive!

one of the best places ever to get used to the alitude is 30 minutes away from the portal,
horeshoe meadows 10,000 ft
camp for $6.00
or if you have a overnite permit
Arrive at the portal around 4 or 5pm ask around where the ranger is stopping folks and if none, head up to outpost camp and spend the nite there.
there is always and I repeat always pleanty of roon.

Does anyone know how late you can check in at the Lone Pine Campground? I'm going to be leaving the OC area around 5 and just made a reservation at the Lone Pine campground for Friday. Do you think I can make up before thay close? ReserveAmerica just refers you to the Ranger Station Number 760-873-2500 and they charge you 20 bucks if you are a no show!!! How can I contact The campground directly??

I stay at Tuttle Creek usually. The creek is stocked with trout both just below the campground and also near site 73/74 if you are into that sort of thing. Your stay is BLM and donation.

Diaz Lake is indeed a nice place to cool off but it's more conducive to RVs though I'm sure along the west edge you can pitch a tent.

South of Diaz Lake you can take a short cut between 395 and Horseshoe Meadow Road called Lubken Canyon Rd. It is a little bit treacherous in spots but it's better than going all the way to Lone Pine and doubling back if you're coming from the south.

I think with school starting in session for many high schools on Aug. 25 you will see the campground action slow way, way down.

Thanks for the reply Hike of Your Life!

I may use Tuttle Creek for the night after we climb Whitney next month since I hear the Protal can be quite noisy on a Friday night. We are going to be ready to sleep soundly after the climb.

Thanks again!

Reiksgib,

If they operate Lone Pine Campground like they do Whitney Portal Campground, then what they do is post a sign at each campsite with the date(s) and person who made the reservation. I was at Whitney Portal Campground this past Friday night. It looks like they post a week at a time. There was no kiosk for check-in at the Whitney Portal Campsite. I don't know how they know whether you show up or not. There was a campsite host, but if you didn't go talk to him, he didn't come around either.

Thanks icantiwont!

ReserveAmerica says they charge you $20 if you are a no show!

I confirmed with the ranger yesterday that you just show up and set up camp....no check in necessary. Like you said I'm not sure how they know if you showed up or not unless they patrol when you are sleeping. Thanks!!!1