Big Pine Canyon
Inyo National Forest — lakeside
Location: Big Pine, CA, CA
Price: From $90 per night
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (10 reviews)
Season: May through October
Big Pine Canyon Recreation Area includes two group campground sites. Named for glaciers that can be seen at the end of the valley, Clyde Glacier Group Site and Palisade Glacier Group Site sit along Big Pine Creek.The Clyde Glacier standard campsite fits up to 25 guests. Parking includes two 35-foot and six 20-foot paved spaces.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Showers
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/big-pine-canyon to be notified when sites open up.
Big Pine Canyon offers excellent fishing in Big Pine Creek and nearby lakes, plus access to steep glacier-carved canyon walls ideal for climbing. The North Fork Trail provides scenic hiking through Jeffrey pine and manzanita with waterfall views.
Wildlife alert: Steller's Jays and Spotted Towhees are present in the area; typical campground wildlife behavior applies.
Insider tips for Big Pine Canyon: This is a federal campground with only 2 group sites total—book well in advance during peak season RVs must be self-contained; there are no hookups, so plan water/waste accordingly Access via Crocker Street/Big Pine Road is 9 miles west from Highway 395 at the flashing yellow light in Big Pine
Skip Big Pine Canyon if: You need RV hookups—none are available. You're visiting outside May-October—seasonal closure. You want a private or small site—only 2 group sites exist.
Best time to visit Big Pine Canyon: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Big Pine Creek Campground (Big Pine, CA), Table Mountain (Inyo) (Bishop, CA), Four Jeffrey (BISHOP, CA), Forks Campground (Inyo) (Bishop, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Big Pine Canyon
Cell signal at Big Pine Canyon (Big Pine, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Big Pine Canyon Recreation Area includes two group campground sites. Named for glaciers that can be seen at the end of the valley, Clyde Glacier Group Site and Palisade Glacier Group Site sit along Big Pine Creek.The Clyde Glacier standard campsite fits up to 25 guests. Parking includes two 35-foot and six 20-foot paved spaces.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryThis is a federal campground with only 2 group sites total
book well in advance during peak season
RVs must be self-contained; there are no hookups, so plan water/waste accordingly
Access via Crocker Street/Big Pine Road is 9 miles west from Highway 395 at the flashing yellow light in Big Pine
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Highway 395 in Big Pine, California, turn west at flashing yellow traffic light and continue on Crocker Street/Big Pine Road for 9 miles. The group campground is just above Upper Sage Flat Campground on the left.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Inyo National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Inyo National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Big Pine Canyon cost per night?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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