Onion Valley campground
Onion Valley
Reservations are not accepted at Onion Valley camping area, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis. As a result, it is advisable to arrive early, especially during weekends and peak seasons, to secure a campsite. The best time to visit this camping area is generally during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is most favorable. However, campers should be prepared for cool temperatures, as the campground is situated at an elevation of around 9,200 feet.
Onion Valley camping area is a gateway to numerous hiking trails, including the popular Kearsarge Pass Trail and the John Muir Trail. These trails offer breathtaking scenery, alpine lakes, and opportunities to spot local wildlife. However, visitors should be cautious of the high elevation and steep terrain, which may present challenges for some hikers. It is essential to come prepared with proper gear, including sturdy hiking boots, warm clothing, and plenty of water. Additionally, campers should be mindful of the local wildlife and follow guidelines to ensure their safety and the preservation of the surrounding nature.
What's on-site at Onion Valley
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Onion Valley, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onion Valley Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Upper Grays Meadow Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Grays Meadow | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Lower Grays Meadow Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Charlotte Lake Camp Area | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Onion Valley -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Marble Fork Kaweah R Ab Horse C Nr Lodgepole Ca | 159 cfs | → |
| Sf Tule R Nr Cholollo Campground Nr Porterville Ca | 20 cfs | → |
| Sf Tule R Nr Reservation Bndry Nr Porterville Ca | 35 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Onion Valley -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Lake | 2.6 in | 251.4 in | → |
| Cottonwood Lakes | 0.5 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Blackcap Basin Goes | 26.2 in | -2.1 in | → |
| Nohrsc Casa Vieja Meadows | 169.8 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Upper Burnt Corral Meadow | 17.8 in | -0.1 in | → |
| Beach Meadows | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
🌳 Parks
- Manzanar National Historic Site
- Sierra National Forest
- Wilderness Monarch
- Wilderness John Muir
- Wilderness Jennie Lakes
- Wilderness Sequoia-Kings Canyon
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛶 Paddle runs
- Independence Creek
- George Creek
- Tributary Headwaters To Wilderness Boundary
- Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
- Lake 10,559 (Boundary Extend 0.25 Mile On Each Side Of River) To Wilderness Boundary Just Below Tokopah Falls
- Confluence Of Lone Pine And Hamilton (Deer) Creeks (Boundary Extend 0.25 Mile On Each Side Of River) To Wildernes Boundary
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Onion Valley as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Onion Valley
Can I make reservations at Onion Valley?
Yes -- this campground accepts reservations. Snoflo recommends booking early for peak season; check the operator (Recreation.gov / state park system / private operator) for the booking window and cancellation policy.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Onion Valley?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Onion Valley.