I was on a mission. A mission to hike one of the most spectacular trails in California’s Eastern Sierra mountain range.
The Background
Our backpacking crew had been researching Sierra Nevada adventures for months, and two hikes consistently appeared at the top of every “best hikes in California” search, whether on Google, hiking forums, or ChatGPT: Rae Lakes Loop and Big Pine Lakes Trail.
After plenty of debate, we decided to pursue permits for Rae Lakes Loop. The deciding factor was simple. Open fires are not permitted in the Big Pine Lakes backcountry, and there’s something special about ending a long day on the trail around a campfire. Big Pine Lakes became our backup plan in case we couldn’t secure permits.
If you’ve ever tried to obtain permits for popular Sierra backpacking routes, you know the struggle. After failing eight separate times during the infamous 7:00 AM permit release scramble, we finally secured Rae Lakes permits on our last attempt.
Success should have ended the story.
Instead, it created a new problem.
Big Pine Lakes remained unfinished business.
With a rare window where the family was out of town, work was quiet, and my adventure calendar was wide open, I loaded up the van and headed north on an impromptu Eastern Sierra road trip. Sometimes the best adventures are the ones you don’t overthink.
Why Big Pine Lakes Is One of California’s Best Hikes?
The Big Pine Lakes Trail is a stunning 10 to 15-mile out-and-back hike located within the John Muir Wilderness near Big Pine, California. Famous for its seven glacier-fed turquoise lakes, towering granite walls, and dramatic views of Temple Crag, it is widely considered one of the most beautiful hikes in the Sierra Nevada.
The trail follows the North Fork of Big Pine Creek, climbing from approximately 7,800 feet to over 10,000 feet in elevation. Depending on how far you continue beyond Second Lake, hikers can expect between 2,500 and 3,800 feet of elevation gain.
Most day hikers turn around at Second Lake, which sits roughly five miles from the trailhead. This is the iconic viewpoint you’ve likely seen on Instagram, featuring vibrant turquoise water framed by the jagged granite walls of Temple Crag.
If you have extra energy, continuing to Lakes Three through Seven rewards you with increasingly impressive alpine scenery and close-up views of the Palisade Glacier, the largest glacier in the Sierra Nevada.
Expect the hike to take between six and nine hours depending on pace and how many lakes you choose to visit.
The trail is exceptionally well marked. Between the signage, established path, and steady flow of hikers, getting lost would be extremely difficult.
The only real downside is the lack of campfires in the backcountry. But standing beside those turquoise lakes beneath Temple Crag makes that sacrifice feel pretty insignificant.
Camping Near Big Pine Lakes
One of the biggest advantages of traveling by camper van is the flexibility to stay close to the trailhead.
For this trip, I booked Site 9 at Big Pine Creek Campground, which happened to be the only reservable site available. From the photos, I suspected the parking pad might be sloped, and unfortunately, I was right. It wasn’t ideal for sleeping in a camper van.
Fortunately, after talking with the campground host, I learned several First Come, First Served sites were available: they are sites 2-5.
Site 4 turned out to be nearly perfect for van camping and was open when I arrived. If you’re planning a camper van trip to Big Pine Lakes, I highly recommend checking availability for the following sites:
- Site 4 (excellent for vans)
- Site 6
- Site 10
- Site 24 (arguably one of the best in the campground)
Local Campground Insider Tips
While exploring the area, I also checked out several nearby campgrounds.
Upper Sage Flat Campground may be the hidden gem of the canyon. Sites 18 and 19 are beautifully positioned near the creek and would be my first choice. Sites 4, 6, and 8 are also excellent.
Further down the canyon, Sage Flat Campground offers several strong options, including Sites 12, 18, 20, 23, and 25. Among those, Sites 18 and 23 stand out.
There are also two group campgrounds nearby:
- Palisade Glacier Group Campground
- Big Pine Canyon Group Campground
Personally, neither impressed me enough to recommend over the other campground options in the area.
The Highway 395 Journey
I loaded up The Drifter Van from Van Voyage and hit the road at 10pm.
The original plan was to drive a few hours, find a quiet place to sleep, and finish the journey the following morning. Instead, I found myself rolling north through the night and eventually pulling over near Victorville around 1:00 AM.
After a few hours of sleep, I pointed the van toward one of California’s greatest road trip routes: Highway 395.
For anyone considering a California camper van rental adventure, Highway 395 is pure magic. The route follows the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada, delivering endless views of granite peaks, desert valleys, and wide-open spaces.
After passing Lone Pine, I continued north toward Big Pine before turning west into the canyon. The road winds through a quiet residential area before beginning its steady climb into the mountains.
And climb it does.
The road twists higher and higher until finally reaching Big Pine Creek Campground at the end of the canyon.
If you arrive at Glacier Lodge, a rustic collection of cabins and RV sites, you’ve gone just slightly too far. The campground and lodge are practically neighbors.
Final Thoughts
I spent two nights at Big Pine Creek Campground, enjoying campfires, star-filled skies, and cool mountain air.
The hike itself exceeded every expectation.
The turquoise lakes are every bit as stunning as the photos suggest, and Temple Crag creates one of the most dramatic alpine backdrops I’ve ever seen. Between the scenery, accessibility, and overall experience, the Big Pine Lakes Trail ranks as the single best day hike I have ever completed.
If you’re planning an Eastern Sierra road trip, a Highway 395 camper van adventure, or looking for the perfect destination for a California family camping trip, Big Pine Lakes deserves a spot at the very top of your list.
For those traveling by camper van, it is nearly the perfect combination of epic scenery, convenient camping, and unforgettable hiking. It’s exactly the kind of adventure that reminds you why you hit the road in the first place.
And if you’re looking for a fully-equipped San Diego camper van rental, family camper van adventure, or Highway 395 road trip van rental, Van Voyage was built for experiences just like this.
Check out the following Blog posts for some additional inspiration:
Eastern Sierras via Highway 395
Highway 1 to Big Sur including Santa Barbara + San Simeon
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