Onion Valley
Inyo National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Independence, CA, CA
Price: From $31 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (262 reviews)
Season: May through October
This quiet campground is set amidst breathtaking scenery of rugged mountain peaks, thick forests and waterfalls in the Onion Valley area of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its location on the creek and proximity to the John Muir Wilderness make it a popular hub for hikers, anglers, photographers and those who want to relax in a peaceful, natural setting.For facility specific information, please call (602) 726-1102.The campground is tucked away near the end of Onion Valley Road. Campsites ar
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Bear Boxes, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/onion-valley to be notified when sites open up.
Onion Valley is a popular hub for hikers and anglers set amidst breathtaking scenery of rugged mountain peaks, thick forests and waterfalls in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, with proximity to the John Muir Wilderness and a 4.7/5 rating from 176 Google reviews.
Wildlife alert: White-tailed Jackrabbit, American Pika, Gray-headed Pika, Tule Elk, Mule Deer, Fox Sparrow, Mountain White-crowned Sparrow, Great Basin Gopher Snake, Mountain Garter Snake, Sierra Alligator Lizard
Insider tips for Onion Valley: Bring bed leveling supplies as many sites are slanted No potable water available - bring a filter Book early as this is a federal campground with high demand
Skip Onion Valley if: You need hookups - no hookups available, only suitable for self-contained RVs. You require potable water at your site. You visit outside May-October seasonal window.
Best time to visit Onion Valley: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October.
Nearby campgrounds: Grays Meadows (Independence, CA), Whitney Portal (LONE PINE, CA), Goodale Creek Campground (Independence, CA), Lone Pine (LONE PINE, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Onion Valley
Cell signal at Onion Valley (Independence, CA): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
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.
This quiet campground is set amidst breathtaking scenery of rugged mountain peaks, thick forests and waterfalls in the Onion Valley area of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its location on the creek and proximity to the John Muir Wilderness make it a popular hub for hikers, anglers, photographers and those who want to relax in a peaceful, natural setting.For facility specific information, please call (602) 726-1102.The campground is tucked away near the end of Onion Valley Road. Campsites are private and primitive, and every site has a scenic view.
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 entryBring bed leveling supplies as many sites are slanted
No potable water available - bring a filter
Book early as this is a federal campground with high demand
Campground operates seasonally May through October
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
The campground is 13 miles west of the town of Independence, California. Take U.S. Highway 395 to Independence. Turn west on Market Street, which turns into Onion Valley Road. Follow Onion Valley Road for 13 miles to the campground.
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.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Onion Valley cost per night?+
What season is Onion Valley open?+
Does Onion Valley have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Onion Valley?+
How do I make reservations at Onion Valley?+
What is the cell service like at Onion Valley?+
What season is Onion Valley open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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