Tuttle Creek Campground
BLM
Write a Review Horseshoe Meadow Rd. Lone Pine, CA 93545 760-872-5000 Official WebsiteGPS: 36.5665, -118.1237
Overview of Tuttle Creek Campground
Some campsites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 ft. in length. Potable water is available seasonally. Dump station fee is $5 and closed in winter.
Last Price Paid: $10
Reported by camper-923740 on 4/29/2024
Longest RV Reported: 40 feet (Toy Hauler Fifth Wheel)
Reported by Meanderings on 3/11/2022
Monthly Rate Yes
Number of Sites 83
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 4,954 ft / 1,509 m
Max Stay 14
Max Length 30 ft
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Tuttle Creek Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 760-872-5000
QQQboutique asked on 1/27/2021
Is the campground still open and will it be open on February?
Joni asked on 3/15/2022
I see on everyone’s review that they paid some fee to stay at Tuttle Creek Campground. Where & who do we pay? Thanks!
Stevie asked on 9/23/2021
Has anyone camped here in November, and what was the weather? I'm interested in what the low temperatures are, as a...
Shaxyz99 asked on 8/10/2021
Are there bear boxes at turtle creek campground? Thanks in advance from a tent camper
Ecolaine asked on 8/4/2021
We are planning to stay at Tuttle Creek 8/5/2021 on our way home from Las Vegas. Heat has been brutal, trying to find...
Laurob1234 asked on 7/6/2021
I see it's 'no reservations' - any tips (and what are the chances) for getting a site here midweek in August?
C.L. asked on 6/4/2020
Does anyone know if there is good hiking near Tuttle Creek Campground?
Hello Freedom asked on 2/2/2020
Big Rig Friendly? I see plenty of big rigs in the photos here on Campendium, but the official BLM website says "maxim...
Reviews of Tuttle Creek Campground 101 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 62 Users
Last reported 4/14/2024
Confirmed by 30 Users
Last reported 4/29/2024
Confirmed by 9 Users
Last reported 4/23/2024
Reviewed 6/18/2017
| Nightly rate: | $5 |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 48 |
| RV Length: | 16' |
Overall Rating
Just west of the intersection (the only intersection) in Lone Pine, CA. We chose this one after reading about it on Campendium and in many blogs on the internet. We began our trip up Highway 395 here. After driving through Death Valley, our first time, we got here at about 2 pm and expected a crowd. But it was essentially empty. W... more
Just west of the intersection (the only intersection) in Lone Pine, CA. We chose this one after reading about it on Campendium and in many blogs on the internet. We began our trip up Highway 395 here. After driving through Death Valley, our first time, we got here at about 2 pm and expected a crowd. But it was essentially empty. We had our choice of sites but chose the one that had the rush of the creek behind out spot and we could see the water. Snowmelt was big this year so the sound actually sounded like the beach. Site #48. There are a few others which we would choose for the same reason, water rushing in: #10,9,8,7. It sounded like we were at the beach t was sooo nice. There are other sites which are just as nice.
As for level, well they aren’t that level, you’ll need the wood/levelers. We were only staying for two nights so we didn’t unhitch but with two boards we were still rolling downhill in our bed at night a bit. You can’t beat the views of Mt. Whitney and friends and the Owens Valley below. There are pit toilets that we didn’t use, but the tent campers did. They say there is water but we came full. The walk down to the trash if you are in any upper spots is a trek but no big deal. The road when we were there was a bit dusty but easy. One note: no trees or cover. Maybe a few sites had a tree, but I’d go with the no tree campground. We heard a few flight jet noises but didn’t see anything. It was a naval base that flies into the canyons of DVNP near Father Crowley point. If you drive through DVNP you might see them!!
There is an easy little trail that goes around the CG from one loop to the other and over the creek – either over a footbridge or a culvert. Ask me if you want to know more. Biggest plus: great cell service. No retirement in this rig yet!
Alabama Hills BLM
We didn’t stay here but we popped over in the morning for a quick walk to see the Mobius Arch. ¼ mile in and another out. The area is mostly BLM and you can basically park anywhere on any of the dirt roads. The lure here is the cool rocks and dusty sandy spots.
Thanks to all the other reviewers!!!!
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Cheap and beautiful”
Reviewed 5/24/2017
| Nightly rate: | $5 |
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| Days stayed: | 5 |
| RV Length: | 26' |
Overall Rating
Loved it. 5 bucks/night for a site that easily accomodated my 25' TT and truck, with plenty of space between me and my neighbors. Gorgeous views. Neighbors can be hit or miss. Several barking dogs during my stay but friendly people. Verizon serivce was fast. Town is an easy drive, although the market in Lone Pine is not good. Advise st... more
Loved it. 5 bucks/night for a site that easily accomodated my 25' TT and truck, with plenty of space between me and my neighbors. Gorgeous views. Neighbors can be hit or miss. Several barking dogs during my stay but friendly people. Verizon serivce was fast. Town is an easy drive, although the market in Lone Pine is not good. Advise stocking up elsewhere. This CG has a new host and he seems to be keeping the place up nicely. Bathrooms and dump station were very clean. Road in has really big speed bumps but they're easy when taken slow. Great spot.
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Verizon 4G
Teo would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great views and site with fast Verizon”
Reviewed 5/17/2017
| Nightly rate: | $2 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 10 |
| Site Number: | 9 |
| RV Length: | 22' (Class B) |
Overall Rating
We stayed at Tuttle Creek after the visitor center in Lone Pine said they are asking big rigs not to use the Alabama Hills to protect the ground cover. When we checked out the campground and found fast Verizon LTE and a nightly rate of $2.50 with the access pass, we decided to stay here instead. We got 4 bars Verizon with our booster a... more
We stayed at Tuttle Creek after the visitor center in Lone Pine said they are asking big rigs not to use the Alabama Hills to protect the ground cover. When we checked out the campground and found fast Verizon LTE and a nightly rate of $2.50 with the access pass, we decided to stay here instead. We got 4 bars Verizon with our booster and at least 10mbps (and often much more) download speeds during our stay. There is a creek that runs through the center of the campground and our site, #9, even had a little offshoot running through a culvert directly under the back of our site. All the sites seem unlevel due to the slope up to the Sierras, but our hydraulic jacks had no problem getting us level. The sites are well spaced out and have a concrete picnic table, fire ring and lantern post. There are several pit toilets (including one across from our site) and a few public water spigots. There is also a dump station with potable water, but we did not use that because we were heading to full hookups. Quiet time is 10pm to 6am. The access to Alabama Hills, Whitney Portal and the city of Lone Pine are all quick and easy. They do get busy on the weekends. The entrance road is paved with asphalt and has 5 GIANT speed bumps that are all angled and unavoidable. It says the speed limit is 10, but you have to take these at about 2mph, unless you want a good shake. There were several windy days while we were here in May. We loved our site, the outstanding view and the location at the foot of the Sierras and would definitely come back again.
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Verizon 4G
Ride, Dive and Be Murray would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“OMG - It doesn't get any better than this!!!”
Reviewed 4/20/2017
| Nightly rate: | $5 |
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| Days stayed: | 14 |
| Site Number: | 58 |
Overall Rating
Incredible views of the Sierra Mountains, Alabama Hills and Owens Valley. HUGE sites (at least 1/2 acre with 100 foot or more separation from your neighbors.) Onsite water and dump available. Did I mention $5.00 per night? And it's only $2.50 if you have the Golden Age Pass! Super quiet. And you get to stay in one of America'... more
Incredible views of the Sierra Mountains, Alabama Hills and Owens Valley. HUGE sites (at least 1/2 acre with 100 foot or more separation from your neighbors.) Onsite water and dump available. Did I mention $5.00 per night? And it's only $2.50 if you have the Golden Age Pass!
Super quiet.
And you get to stay in one of America's top recreation outdoor areas for hiking, mountain climbing, bouldering, fly fishing, mountain biking, and on and on...
Lone Pine is about seven or eight miles away and offers a nice small grocery store and a number of decent restaurants as well as several outdoor shops who can outfit you for your outdoor adventure or steer you in the right direction for a great hike or whatever you desire.
Excellent Internet, fast enough for streaming HD video; good cell phone signal. No over the air TV however (we have Dish so we don't care!)
There are two basic loops, we chose the southern most one as it offered the best views of Owens Valley to the south. But honestly, you'd have to work very hard to find a site with a bad view in this campground.
The sites are generally level left to right but some of the sites are fairly steep to get into so if you have a long Class C or a Class A you might have some challenges getting level front to back. But there are plenty of sites that will work for longer rigs, you might just have to look more carefully.
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Verizon 4G
Bob Martel would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great View Of The Stars”
Reviewed 4/7/2017
| Nightly rate: | $5 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| RV Length: | 35' |
Overall Rating
Our plan was to boondock in the Alabama Hills just outside Lonepine, CA. The problem was we had one of those really fun travel days that you have in an RV ever so often and we got in really late, after dark anyways. It wasn't really a good time to go finding a boondocking spot. So we pulled into the Tuttle Creek Campground. T... more
Our plan was to boondock in the Alabama Hills just outside Lonepine, CA. The problem was we had one of those really fun travel days that you have in an RV ever so often and we got in really late, after dark anyways.
It wasn't really a good time to go finding a boondocking spot.
So we pulled into the Tuttle Creek Campground. The campground was nice and quiet. Spaces were well spaced out. Views of the mtns were great and the stars were beautiful.
The space we found easiest to pull into was horrible unlevel. It was a pull through as you were headed down hill. So we had to put the front jacks on blocks and extend them all the way to keep the rig level. One of the most unlevel sites we had ever been. I am sure there are more level sites but this was the quickest easiest to get into late at night.
The next morning we left our rig there while we went and found a boondocking spot and then we headed back to grab the rig and spent a week in the Alabama Hills.
I said I would not stay here again but that is ONLY because we would rather boondock out in the Alabama Hills themselves if possible. If that isn't possible or isn't your thing I highly recommend this campground, especially at the $5 a night price.
[Actual date stayed 03/04/16]
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great views”
Reviewed 11/15/2016
| Nightly rate: | $5 |
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| Days stayed: | 6 |
Overall Rating
The views here of the mountains and valley are pretty spectacular. At $8 per day this is a bargain even in winter when they turn off the water and close the dump station. Our 36 foot RV fit nicely into our site which was a little unlevel but nothing a few blocks couldn't handle. The sites are well spaced out so even on an almost full w... more
The views here of the mountains and valley are pretty spectacular. At $8 per day this is a bargain even in winter when they turn off the water and close the dump station. Our 36 foot RV fit nicely into our site which was a little unlevel but nothing a few blocks couldn't handle. The sites are well spaced out so even on an almost full weekend it didn't feel too crowded.
The speed bumps coming in require an almost full stop.
Edit - Second time back here and I've bumped the review up to 5 stars. This is one of the nicest government managed campgrounds we have stayed in. So much to do in this area.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
Scott would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Reviewed 10/30/2016
| Nightly rate: | $5 |
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| Days stayed: | 14 |
| Site Number: | 2 |
| RV Length: | 27' |
Overall Rating
Love the views, love the cell service, love it! Some sites are more level than others but for the most part, you can get level. The speed bumps were no issue when taken at the speed limit of 10 mph. Potable water is available on the upper loop near the back of the loop (its brown and somewhat hidden) at the Y-intersection. Another ... more
Love the views, love the cell service, love it! Some sites are more level than others but for the most part, you can get level. The speed bumps were no issue when taken at the speed limit of 10 mph. Potable water is available on the upper loop near the back of the loop (its brown and somewhat hidden) at the Y-intersection. Another potable water source is on the lower loop and isn't as hidden.
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Verizon 4G
Jen and Mace Man Fancy Pants would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great campground!”
Reviewed 9/5/2016
| Nightly rate: | $5 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 14 |
Overall Rating
We stayed here one night over the holiday weekend. Our campsite was near the restrooms, right near the creek, and had ample space for two trucks, a trailer, and a tent. The sites are first come first serve but there are a lot of sites to choose from. It did get busy, but we arrived late in the evening and there were plenty of campsites... more
We stayed here one night over the holiday weekend. Our campsite was near the restrooms, right near the creek, and had ample space for two trucks, a trailer, and a tent. The sites are first come first serve but there are a lot of sites to choose from. It did get busy, but we arrived late in the evening and there were plenty of campsites available.
The creek is small but sounds wonderful, great to sit by and relax. There is a trail up to the abandoned cabin, approx. 1.25 miles each way, that is a great way to spend your time in the area.
No running water. You pay cash at the entrance when you arrive. The speed bumps are a doozy - make sure you're driving the posted speed limit!
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AT&T 4G
Wellsam would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Incredible views, low price, good cell coverage”
Reviewed 5/31/2016
| Nightly rate: | $2 |
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| Days stayed: | 10 |
| Site Number: | 9 |
Overall Rating
This goes right on up there among our favorite campgrounds ever. When we drove up, it was almost night, but we were still totally wowed by the scenery. With the Alabama Hills and Lone Pine below and the Eastern Sierras above, it doesn't get more striking than this. There is a good amount of space between each campsite, most of which ar... more
This goes right on up there among our favorite campgrounds ever. When we drove up, it was almost night, but we were still totally wowed by the scenery. With the Alabama Hills and Lone Pine below and the Eastern Sierras above, it doesn't get more striking than this. There is a good amount of space between each campsite, most of which are plenty long for any size rig plus a tow car/toad. Each has a picnic table, too. There are chemical toilets around the campground, as well as a dump station at the exit (no hookups at the sites).
There is great cell coverage here, which was not possible at the free boondocking in Alabama Hills. Also, it's very quiet--a nice change of pace from the Los Angeles noise we were battling before we arrived.
Some sites are unlevel, but we didn't have any issue with site 9, which was plenty long for us, was right across from the bathroom, and had Tuttle Creek running through our back yard.
The only concern with the campground is access.
First, there are five huge speed bumps set at a diagonal angle along the already-narrow entrance road. This makes for very slow going with a rig. Fortunately, there are a good number of pull-outs along the road for oncoming traffic to get out of the way as you lumber in.
Second, there are two ways to get to the campground entrance, and both require dealing with a narrow road. The northern route is off of Whitney Portal Road. As soon as you get to the edge of town, the road will narrow to one lane to pass over a bridge over the LA Aqueduct. The bridge doesn't last long--maybe 30-50 feet--but it's something to be aware of. From there, the road gets very windy and hilly until it emerges near the Movie Flats section of Alabama Hills, and you take a left to get to the campground. The southern route is off of Lubken Canyon Road, which narrows to a single lane for about half a mile. We were actually in the process of unhitching the toad to turn around when the man who owns a house along the road stopped his truck to let us know that we'd be able to make it. We proceeded, nervously, and did make it, but we had a hairy moment where someone was trying to pass us going the other way, and we built up quite a line behind us along the narrow stretch. When we got to the top, we turned right and made our way to the campground entrance.
Either way, you're dealing with a one-lane section of road and five evil speed bumps. Be prepared. But it's worth it, 100%!
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
Ardent Camper would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Awesome views, quiet and spacious ”
Reviewed 5/13/2016
| Nightly rate: | $2 |
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| Days stayed: | 12 |
| Site Number: | 10 |
| RV Length: | 26' |
Overall Rating
Actually I paid $2.50/night with the Golden Access Pass. Sites are spacious, however have no hookups. There is water and a dump. It's my kind of camping although I thought of staying in the Movie Flats area of Alabama Hills, however, the cell service isn't good there and it is good here. I stayed in an upper loop in site #10. Gotta ... more
Actually I paid $2.50/night with the Golden Access Pass. Sites are spacious, however have no hookups. There is water and a dump. It's my kind of camping although I thought of staying in the Movie Flats area of Alabama Hills, however, the cell service isn't good there and it is good here. I stayed in an upper loop in site #10.
Gotta watch out for pack rats nesting in your engine if you stay a bit. I did find some evidence of an attempt at nesting and so I left my hood up in my class C motorhome. There are lots of things to do around here which have been covered in the other reviews. The road up to Mt. Whitney is being worked on till Oct. 2016 I'm told so I had to follow a car up and down the mountain the other day when I went.
I did have trouble finding the place as my Garmin thinks one should go up Granite View Drive to get to the campground and it's wrong. Don't do it. It's a narrow one lane road which doesn't end in the campground. The entrance is off of Horseshoe Meadows Rd and there is a sign pointing the way.
Sites can be a bit un-level but not impossibly so.
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Verizon 4G
Andrea E. would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Page 9 of 11
1 review not included in the overall rating
The reviews below are not up to Campendium's standards for quality and reliability and therefore are not counted toward the overall star rating. Please see our FAQ page for more information.
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- fishing
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- big rig
- fire ring
- picnic table
- pull thru
- view sites
Facilities
- dump station
- group sites
- horse corral
- recycle
- restrooms: vault
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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