Whitney Portal Campgrounds Hiking Mount Whitney

Sitting at over 8,000 feet up in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, straddling the boundaries of Sequoia National Park and Inyo National Forest, Whitney Portal is the gateway to lofty Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States with an elevation of 14,505 feet.

Set against towering pines and rugged granite peaks, Whitney Portal, formerly known as Hunter Flat and Hunters Camp, is located 13 miles west of the quaint town of Lone Pine and serves as the trailhead for the Mount Whitney Trail and the access point for the John Muir Wilderness Area, as well as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

Aside from its natural beauty, the entry road to Whitney Portal is also known as the backdrop for at least two American feature films, including the 1953 comedy The Long Long Trailer starring Lucille Ball and 1941’s High Sierra with Humphrey Bogart.

With numerous RV and tent campgrounds only a half-mile from three major trailheads, spacious parking area areas, food storage facilities, a store, and a restaurant. Whitney Portal provides all the facilities and services for an enjoyable adventure in the spectacular Eastern Sierras.

The area is teeming with wildlife, including black bears, mule deer, mountain lions, and a host of birds and fish in the area’s numerous lakes, streams, and small ponds, making it a perfect environment for critter lovers and anglers alike.

Mount Whitney Summit Hike

The biggest draw to Whitney Portal is hiking, and to make the trek to the top of Mt. Whitney itself, one must acquire a permit, available only by lottery. The round-trip hike is 22 miles and ascends just over 6,000 feet.

This is a non-technical ascent and, therefore, often accomplished by even non-experienced hikers. It is suggested to camp for at least one night at Whitney Portal to get your body acclimated before setting out.

A one-day trip up the mountain usually starts before dawn. The hike to the summit can take anywhere from 5 – 15 hours. Because of the distance and high altitude, a single day requires excellent fitness and endurance. Many make this a two-day hike camping at Outpost Camp or 12,000 ft Trail Camp.

Permits for Mt. Whitney

Permits to hike to the summit of Mt. Whitney are reserved online due to high demand and are randomly issued by a lottery. To enter the Whitney Zone, a permit is required. Wilderness permits are always required to use the Mt. Whitney trail below the zone. Wilderness permits can be made at the Mount Whitney Ranger Station.

For those not interested in hiking Whitney, there is still much to take pleasure in, and campers can enjoy John Muir Wilderness, with its snow-capped peaks, yawning canyons, and enormous mountain meadows year-round.

Aptly named after one of the Sierra’s most devoted advocates, the more than half a million acres of John Muir Wilderness also requires a Wilderness Permit and can be obtained from two locations, depending on where you plan to enter the Wilderness.

John Muir Wilderness

The area is accessible from both sides of the Sierra Nevada, with various points of entry along Highway 395, from the town of Mammoth in the north to Lone Pine in the south. The more popular side of the entrance is through the Inyo National Forest from the east, near North Lake above the nearby town of Bishop.

With its crisp, clean air, clear blue skies, and stunning views, Inyo National Forest is also home to Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes Basin, and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. There are many recreational opportunities, including camping, picnicking, hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding, and several areas designated for off-highway vehicle use.

Getting to Whitney Portal

Whitney Portal is about a 4-hour drive from Los Angeles via U.S. Highway 395 north to the town of Lone Pine. The campground is 13 miles west of Lone Pine on Whitney Portal Road.

California’s High Sierra Destinations

Inyo County Day Trips

Muir Woods National Monument