Grays Meadows

Inyo National Forest

Grays Meadows Campground is situated along Independence Creek in the Onion Valley area of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its location on the creek and proximity to the rugged John Muir Wilderness make it a popular hub for hikers, anglers, spring skiers and snowboarders.

Opening and closing dates may be dependent on weather conditions.

The facility consists of an upper and lower campground. The creek borders one side; sites 10, 12, 13, 14, 40, 41, 46 and 51 are closest to the water. Most of the campground is located in a large oak grove, providing shade.

The area is frequented by bears so campers must store food in the bear-proof lockers provided on-site. Firewood is available for purchase at the campground.

Need to Know

• Be bear aware; keep all food out of site in approved containers and remove all food from area after eating; do not leave food in car; always keep a clean camp and do not feed any wild animals; campground is patrolled at night by security teams during periods of high bear activity

• Two pets per site and leashed at all times.

• Please Note: One RV with tow vehicle per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground. 

• Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. 

• Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

• Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

• Click here for more information about Inyo National Forest

Natural Features

Grays Meadows Campground offers a wandering creek, both sunny and shaded campsites and a high-desert landscape. It sits at an elevation 6,100 ft. and is bordered on the west by Mt. Williamson and Mt. Whitney, the highest peaks in the contiguous United States. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine marten, pika and many species of fish and birds.

Nearby Attractions

Campers can enter the John Muir Wilderness, a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially carved terrain, via nearby trails.

Recreation

Majestic mountain scenery and challenging trails draw campers to the Onion Valley area for hiking and horseback riding. The well-known and demanding Shepherd Pass Trail, which can be reached just west of Grays Meadows Campground, heads up to alpine lakes and the high peaks of the John Muir Wilderness.

Independence Creek is regularly stocked with trophy-size rainbow trout. Anglers flock to the creek for its early trout fishing season, which starts the first weekend in March, ahead of much of the area.

Contact Information

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Independence CA

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 760-937-6070

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

Grays Meadows is 6 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) and follow for 6 miles. The first gate accesses sites 36-52. The second gate is 0.25 miles up the road and accesses sites 1-35. Campground manager is at site 7.

Available Campsites

• Site 025, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 043, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 040, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 051, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 041, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 050, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 049, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 046, Loop GRAY, Type Standard Nonelectric

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