Diaz Lake Campground

Lone Pine, CA — swim, fish, and boat at $14/night

Location: LONE PINE, CA, CA

Price: From $14 per night

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (180 reviews)

Season: Year-round

Diaz Lake Campground is a hidden gem just outside Lone Pine, CA — a perfect midpoint between Reno, NV and San Diego, CA. Set at the base of the Sierra Nevada with views toward Mt. Whitney, the campground offers roughly 50 primitive sites with mature shade trees, picnic tables, fire rings, and flush restrooms. The lake is ideal for swimming, fishing, and boating, and the water warms up nicely by July. The town of Lone Pine is just 2 miles away for supplies, gas, and food. Whitney Portal — the gat

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T. Verizon 4G: 0%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.

Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Swimming, Fishing, Boating, Shade Trees

Diaz Lake sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada just outside Lone Pine — the only campground where you can swim in a lake, stare at Mt. Whitney, and sleep for $14. It’s a genuine hidden gem on the Reno–Los Angeles corridor: most road trippers speed past on US-395 while regulars quietly book the shaded sites every weekend.

Sites on the west side of the lake catch the Sierra Nevada’s evening shadow — you’re in cool shade by 3pm while the east side is still baking. Same price, radically better afternoon. Ask the host when you arrive.

What is new at Diaz Lake Campground: Diaz Lake is operated by the City of Lone Pine. Rates have been $14/night. No reservation system — first-come, first-served. Check with Lone Pine Parks Department for seasonal updates.

Wildlife alert: High desert wildlife including rattlesnakes — watch where you step around rocks and brush, especially at dusk. Coyotes are common at night but not dangerous. No bear issues at this location.

Fire rules: Fire rings provided at each site. Check Inyo County fire restrictions before arrival — Stage 1 or Stage 2 restrictions are common July–September in this region.

Things to do near Diaz Lake Campground: Alabama Hills sunrise — 5 minutes from camp, otherworldly rock formations used in 200+ Hollywood films. Whitney Portal Road for Sierra Nevada views (13 miles up, free to drive). Fishing the lake at dusk for trout and bass — bring a light rod. Lone Pine Film History Museum — surprisingly excellent, less than 2 miles away. Manzanar National Historic Site — 10 miles north, one of the most important WWII sites in the US.

Insider tips for Diaz Lake Campground: First-come, first-served on weekdays — no reservation system, just show up and pay the host. Lone Pine has a real grocery store and Seasons Restaurant for a post-hike meal — don’t starve. Lake water is warm enough for swimming July through September. Bring an inflatable.

Skip Diaz Lake Campground if: You need hookups — this is primitive tent and self-contained RV camping only. You need cell service for work — signal exists but isn’t reliable for video calls. You expect a lush, forested setting — this is Eastern Sierra high desert.

Best time to visit Diaz Lake Campground: Spring (Apr–May) — Wildflowers in Alabama Hills, mild temps, uncrowded. Best photography light.. Fall (Sep–Oct) — Cool nights, warm days, stunning Eastern Sierra light. Lake still swimmable in early September.. Summer — Lake swimming is excellent but midday heat can be intense. Arrive early for shade sites..

Common issues at Diaz Lake Campground: No hookups of any kind. Bring a fully charged battery bank or solar. Generator use allowed during daytime hours. Hot midday temperatures in summer. Book a west-side lake site for afternoon shade. The lake itself is the best cooling strategy.

What campers say about Diaz Lake Campground: "Best $14 I’ve ever spent camping. Woke up to Mt. Whitney right in front of me." — AllStays reviewer "Perfect midpoint on a Reno to San Diego drive. We stopped here instead of a motel and woke up on a lake." — CamperWatch community "Bring plenty of water and shade provisions — it gets hot by 11am. But the lake breeze helps." — The Dyrt reviewer

Do I need a reservation? No. Diaz Lake is first-come, first-served. Just show up and pay the camp host. Arrive by noon on summer weekends to secure a shaded site.

Nearby campgrounds: Tuttle Creek Campground (Lone Pine, CA), Lone Pine (LONE PINE, CA), Whitney Portal (LONE PINE, CA), Grays Meadows (Independence, CA).