Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Portal Campground Info?

I just reserved online at the Portal campground for Oct. 11-12. Can someone tell me if this is a walk-in campground or if you can drive a vehicle in. I reserved one of the group sites and it says that there is no driveway, yet the campground description says that the roads are paved.

Also, does anyone know if the campground is closed effective Oct. 13th. That is the info that the reservation system has. I called the Whitney info line, but the woman who answered was quite rude and went out of her way to be most unhelpful.

Thanks!

Okay, did a search and I think I understand that there is both a drive in campground (the one I hope I reserved at) and a walk-in, the walk-in being right at the trailhead. So if the Family campground closes on the 13th, then I guess we can move our stuff to the walk-in one. Hopefully. Are the walk-in sites quite a distance from the parking area and is there running water of any sort there?

Thanks......

The sites at the walk-in campground are near the parking and there is at least one water spigot.

Thanks Bill. Is it potable water?

Yes it is

Please keep in mind that the water is normally turned off when the campground closes. This also may be true for the faucet near the walkins. The reason for this is that as we approach winter the temperatures drop and there is the potential for pipes to burst. I am not sure what the current overnight or morning temperatures are like, but is they are approaching freezing, I wouldn't be all that surprised that the water is turned off.

Anyway, just thought I would throw that in so that you are aware.

Have a good hike.

iscobie- the backpacker spot just next to the trailhead has 8 spots for packers. you are allowed to spend one nite only and they are first come first serve.
the campground below the store run privatly is a drive in.
As winter approachs both spots will be quieter at night.
unfortunatley the backpack spot can be nightmare in the summer as people arrive thru the night and yell and slam doors getting ready for their hike.
This can be heard at the campground below the store as well.

Thanks for all the feedback. We will make sure to bring enough water in case they have been turned off by this weekend.