Connectivity
No community carrier report is currently published for this campground.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Big Pine Canyon
Inyo National Forest, California
About this campground
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.
Big Pine Canyon Recreation Area includes two group campground sites.
Big Pine Canyon is heralded for having both the largest and southern most glaciers in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 37.128333° N
- Longitude
- 118.422222° W
Know before you arrive
Access, sites & campground features
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Access
- Drive-in
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Group sites
- Standard campsites
Features
For campers
- Showers
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Alcohol allowedCommunity report
- Drinking waterCommunity report
- Firewood availableCommunity report
- ToiletsCommunity report
- Trash serviceCommunity report
- Pets allowedDogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
- Reservable
For vehicles
- Back-in sitesCommunity report
Official campground guide
Plan with the full campground details
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
Overview
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.
Facilities
The Clyde Glacier standard campsite fits up to 25 guests. Parking includes two 35-foot and six 20-foot paved spaces. Palisades Glacier campsite is also paved and can accommodate 25 people for tent camping only.
Campfire rings and grills are provided.
Recreation
Fishing is a popular activity in the creek and nearby lakes. Climbers make use of the steep, glacier-carved canyon walls for excellent climbing opportunities.
The North Fork Trail climbs past waterfalls and zigzags through Jeffrey pine, manzanita and sage before it reaches Big Pine Lakes with views of Palisade Glacier, the largest glacier.
The South Fork Trail climbs to small lakes fed by glacial waters from Norman Clyde and Middle Palisade Glaciers, the southernmost glaciers.
Natural Features
Big Pine Canyon is heralded for having both the largest and southern most glaciers in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Palisade Glacier, the largest, sits above Big Pine Lakes. These impressive glacial lakes at around 10,000 feet elevation are the source of the North Fork of Big Pine Creek. The South Fork is bordered by the Palisade Crest with peaks over 14,000 feet and Middle Palisade Glacier, the southernmost glacier.
Nearby Attractions
The glaciers in the nearby John Muir Wilderness provide an exciting hiking destination. A commercial pack station is within close proximity for horse enthusiasts looking for an outdoor adventure. A general store, pay showers and pond fishing can be found at a nearby resort.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Camping
Amenities and facility features
- Showers
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric
1 site- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- Tent
- Maximum people
- 25
- Maximum vehicles
- 5
- Maximum vehicle length
- 20 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 11:00 AM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Group Standard Non-Electric
1 site- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 25
- Maximum vehicles
- 8
- Maximum vehicle length
- 35 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 11:00 AM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Site rules, inventory & rates
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Site rules
- Has Taxes
- 1
- Maximum stay
- 14 consecutive nights
- Minimum stay
- 1 consecutive nights
- Holiday-weekend minimum
- 0 days
- Weekend minimum
- 0 days
- Reservation cutoff
- 3 days before arrival
- Maximum published occupancy
- 25 people per site
- Maximum published vehicles
- 8 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 11:00 AM
- Food storage
- Big Pine Canyon's official facility record checked 2026-10-16 does not publish a food-storage method; confirm the posted rule with Inyo National Forest.
- Fire and stove use
- Big Pine Canyon's official facility record states: Campfire rings and grills are provided.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
Inventory window
Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.
- Currently bookable through
- Oct 3, 2026
- Next release
- Nov 14, 2026, 7:00 AM PST
- Next book-through date
- May 14, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Oct 2, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonMay 15, 2026 – Oct 3, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $90 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 15, 2026 – Oct 3, 2026 | Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric | $90 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 14, 2027 – Oct 2, 2027 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $90 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 14, 2027 – Oct 2, 2027 | Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric | $90 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 12, 2028 – Sep 30, 2028 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $90 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 12, 2028 – Sep 30, 2028 | Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric | $90 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- Please check in with campground host upon arrival
- 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 info about the Inyo National Forest
Getting there & contact
Official directions
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.
Facility contact
760-935-4339