Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Trailhead Overnight Parking

I don't have a res. to camp at Whitney Portal and it looks full up for tomorrow. Can we sleep in my car in the trailhead lot the night before we pack in?

Anyone?

Thanks.

Officially there is no camping outside of the campground up in the Whitney Portal area. However, I have noticed people laying next to their cars or in their cars during the night. If you choose to do that keep a low profile, wait until dark and leave early. If you do, no one will probably notice.

If you get to Whitney Portal Campground early in the day, like about 10:00 am, there are often walk in sites still available. It seems about half of the campgrounds are reserved in advance. The rest are first come first serve

Thanks Tiffany!

Not officially allowed, but people do it. Just be sure to put all your smelly stuff (food and non-food) into a nearby bear box if you do. A bear will smell what's in the car whether or not you're in it.

CaT

Don't forget that there is a "backpacker's campground", just across from the trailhead. I spent a week at the Portal last august, and it was not full any nite.

Oh okay thanks. I didn't know about that. I'll look for it.

I haven't had a problem sleeping in my truck up there - I've parked in the overflow parking area when I've slept at the Portal because it's just a bit quieter than the higher parking area and you can find fairly level parking. Bears do wander around the Portal, so as the other have said - put your food in the bear box.