Whitney Portal Campground
Inyo National Forest · California · 46 sites
Photos: USDA Forest Service via Recreation.gov
Overview
Whitney Portal Campground is a USDA Forest Service campground in Inyo National Forest, California, with 46 sites in 2 loops. Very shady: nearly every site is under trees. Verizon reports coverage at every site; T-Mobile and AT&T report none.
26 of 29 mapped sites shaded
0 of 29 mapped sites in full sun
0 of 29 mapped sites with clear sky
Map of the campground
Every site from the Recreation.gov listing. Choose a layer to see it across the campground; tap a site to open it in Roam.
Layers
More in Roam Premium
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Questions
Which sites at Whitney Portal Campground are the shadiest?
Nearly all of them. 26 of 29 sites at Whitney Portal Campground have good shade from the trees, including from the hot afternoon sun. These counts cover the 29 of 46 sites with a mapped location.
See the tree canopy in RoamWhich sites at Whitney Portal Campground get the most sun?
None are truly sunny; the sunniest still have trees over about half of the site. These counts cover the 29 of 46 sites with a mapped location.
See the tree canopy in RoamWill Starlink work at Whitney Portal Campground?
Hard. No site has a fully clear gap; 6 have a partial one where Starlink may drop out. These counts cover the 29 of 46 sites with a mapped location. Satellite texting on a phone needs less open sky, but still works best from the most open spot you can find. This is our estimate from tree heights — check with the Starlink app's obstruction check when you arrive.
See the tree canopy in RoamWhich sites at Whitney Portal Campground are the most level?
None of the 29 sites is flat, and 1 has a gentle slope most RVs can level with blocks; 28 are steeper, better for tents. Sites that take RVs or trailers fit rigs up to 35 ft. These counts cover the 29 of 46 sites with a mapped location.
See the slope at each site in RoamDoes Whitney Portal Campground have cell service?
Mostly. Verizon reports coverage at every site; T-Mobile and AT&T report none. That's the coverage each carrier reports to the FCC, not a measured signal, so under trees or below a ridge it can be weaker.
See the coverage map in RoamWhat’s the weather like at Whitney Portal Campground in October?
In October, expect highs around 47°F and lows around 28°F, with about 1.1 inches of rain over the month and 1 inch of snow. Every month’s averages are in Roam Premium.
Open Whitney Portal in RoamCampground facts
- Sites
- 46 in 2 loops
- Kinds
- 26 for RVs or trailers · 17 tent-only · 3 group sites
- Hookups
- None
- Longest rig
- 35 ft
- Elevation
- 7,844–8,056 ft
- Amenities
- Food storage lockers
- Every site
- Pets allowed · Campfires allowed · Check-in 2 PM, check-out 11 AM
- Managed by
- USDA Forest Service
- Booking
- Reserve on Recreation.gov
How we know Sources and limits
Shade, sun and Starlink are our estimates from Meta and the World Resources Institute’s canopy-height model (about 2 m pixels, from satellite imagery calibrated with space lidar; CC BY 4.0). From 2 m above each site we trace 72 lines out to 60 m and note the tallest tree in each direction. Shade counts trees overhead, the canopy within 30 m and how much of the afternoon sky is blocked. Sun counts how open the southern sky is. Starlink needs open sky above 35°, with the northern half counted twice because US dishes tilt north, and we keep the best spot within 8 m of the site’s post. The model sees tree heights only, not trunks, buildings or hills, so check with the Starlink app when you arrive.
Slope is the ground at each site’s post over about 4 m, from USGS 3DEP 1 m lidar: level under 2%, gentle to 4% (most rigs level on blocks), sloped to 8% (fine for a tent), steep beyond.
Cell coverage is from the FCC Broadband Data Collection (carrier filings as downloaded May 2026): each site is tested against each carrier’s modelled outdoor 4G/5G coverage. It is what the carriers report, not a measured signal.
Weather is NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for the campground. Sites and facts are from Recreation.gov’s open data (July 2026). Map imagery: USGS The National Map. Photos: Recreation.gov.
From the campground’s Recreation.gov listing: “The campground is adjacent to Whitney Creek and just down the road from Trailhead Campground. Numerous campsites are arranged on either side of the creek, including three group camping areas and several tent-only sites. Paved roads, vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Bears frequent the area, and campers are required to use the bear-proof food storage lockers provided in the facility (all supplies must fit; dimensions are 18 inches high, 18 inches deep and 50 inches long). Firewood is available for purchase on-site, and a small convenience store with showers is nearby. The facility is situated in a thick pine forest at an elevation of 8,000 ft. Campers can see striking views of the rugged granite peaks surrounding it. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds. This campground is especially prone to bear activity.”
Page data as of October 15, 2026. Full source notes are in each layer’s info in the app.