Upper Sage Flat

Inyo National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking

Location: Big Pine, CA, CA

Price: From $29 per night

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (151 reviews)

Season: May through October

Take the family to Upper Sage for a pleasant camping trip along the banks of Big Pine Creek. Here, visitors can experience the beauty of the creek that runs along the base of a narrow canyon. Visitors can swim or fish, in the creek that is stocked annually with trout, or head to a nearby lake for power boating.Rainbow, brown, brook and alpers trout swim in the stream, enticing anglers.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.

Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/upper-sage-flat to be notified when sites open up.

Upper Sage Flat offers beautiful creek-side camping along Big Pine Creek with excellent fishing for stocked trout and access to the scenic Big Pine Creek Trail. Campers praise the natural beauty and nostalgia of this long-established campground with a 4.8/5 rating.

Wildlife alert: Panamint Rattlesnake present in area; also Douglas' Squirrel, Steller's Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Western Fence Lizard, and Sierra Alligator Lizard documented nearby.

Insider tips for Upper Sage Flat: Book early — this is a popular federal campground with limited 20 sites. Request campsites away from restrooms (e.g., site 16) for better privacy and creek proximity. Bring a level — sites are rocky with uneven ground, particularly challenging for tents.

Skip Upper Sage Flat if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available; only self-contained RVs suitable.. You prefer spacious, private sites — sites are small and close together.. You're visiting outside May-October — campground operates seasonally..

Best time to visit Upper Sage Flat: May-October — Official operating season for this federal campground..

Nearby campgrounds: Big Pine Creek Campground (Big Pine, CA), Big Pine Canyon (Big Pine, CA), Table Mountain (Inyo) (Bishop, CA), Four Jeffrey (BISHOP, CA).