Authors Note: We are confident this is the ultimate Adventure Van Camping trip that can be done in a week or less with no back breaking long distance drives between locations starting from San Diego. There is a condensed itinerary at the end of the article. There are so many incredible spots along Highway 395, it is difficult to fit it all in. This trip is missing Death Valley, which is North of Trona Pinnacles and South of Alabama Hills. Some would call it blasphemy to skip such an iconic location. It is possible to skip any of these and substitute Death Valley instead.
Watch your speed, Highway 395 is a major speed trap…pay close attention to the speed limit!
Day 1: Trona Pinnacles – Into Another World
Pack the Van Voyage Adventure Van and head-out from San Diego before dawn, ready for a week of rugged landscapes, alpine lakes, and starlit nights. First stop? Trona Pinnacles…a Martian like playground of towering rock spires in the middle of nowhere. After a 4 hour drive, the dirt road leading to the pinnacles feels like an entrance to another planet. Set up camp before the sun dips below the horizon, painting the tufa formations in golden hues. This is BLM camping zone so there are plenty of options. With zero light pollution, watch the Milky Way explode above you, making for one of the most surreal night-scapes you will ever witness. Paste into google and click on Maps (35.61781873330889, -117.3681310858576)
Day 2: Alabama Hills – Boulders & Whitney Views – 2nd Night
Morning coffee with a desert sunrise never disappoints! Hit the road and cruise two hours north from Trona Pinnacles to Alabama Hills, where Mobius Arch perfectly frames the mighty Mt. Whitney in the background. Spend the day scrambling up unique rock formations, driving the legendary Movie Road, and soaking in the cinematic beauty of this iconic landscape. Find a dispersed BLM campsite beneath the looming peaks, and watch the stars ignite once again, embracing the raw, untamed wilderness of the Eastern Sierra. Paste into Google and click maps (36.622687813603726, -118.11641156728379) for movie road dispersed camping. Tuttle Creek Campground and Lone Pine Campground are additional options you will love!
Day 3: Big Pine Creek Campground – Gateway to Alpine Bliss at the Big Pines Lakes – 2 Nights Here
After waking up to the crisp mountain air, make your way 1.25 hours north to Big Pine Creek Campground, home to one of the most spectacular alpine hikes in California! Luckily, there is dispersed camping allowed around Big Pine Lakes in addition to the campground, but it’s crucial to be aware of regulations and restrictions, including a requirement to camp at least 100 feet from the lakes and storing food in bear-proof canisters. A short warm-up hike to First Falls will give you a taste of what was to come: glacier-fed streams, jagged cliffs, and lush pine forests. Set up camp, conserving energy for the next day’s biggest adventure of the trip.
Day 4: The Legendary Big Pine Lakes Hike
This was the day you have been waiting for! The Big Pine Lakes hike is legendary for a reason. The 16 mile round-trip trek leads you past roaring waterfalls, steep switchbacks, and jaw-dropping mountain views. Then, the moment of magic…Lake 2, an unreal shade of turquoise, reflecting the dramatic silhouette of Temple Crag. Soak in all that glacial beauty before heading back to camp, completely exhausted but forever changed by the landscapes you will witness.
Day 5: Convict Lake & Mono Lake – Hot Springs & Mirror Like Reflections
Hit the road early with stopping first at Convict Lake, a pristine alpine oasis with towering peaks reflecting perfectly on its glassy surface. A short hike along the lake’s shoreline reveals breathtaking views at every turn. From there, head to Wild Willy’s Hot Springs, a hidden gem where you can soak in naturally heated pools, surrounded by sweeping views of the Sierra Nevada. As golden hour approaches, you can drive to Mono Lake, where you can watch the incredible tufa towers rise from the still waters, glowing in the fading light. Go for a SUP paddle and be blown away by the serenity of Mono Lake! Once again, dispersed camping is allowed in the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area around Mono Lake, but you need to camp above the 1941 shoreline (roughly where the brushy vegetation begins) and obtain a campfire permit if you plan to have an open flame. Additionally, there are a ton of campgrounds and dispersed camping options in this area. A valid California State Campfire Permit can be obtained free of charge at any Forest Service, BLM, or California Department of Forestry office or on-line at www.preventwildfireca.org. It’s just a short video and a 5th grade level test.
Day 6: Red Rock Canyon State Park – Desert Dreams – Last night
The journey now continues back South to Ricardo Campground in Red Rock Canyon State Park which means you are headed home. This place is filled with dramatic landscapes of painted cliffs, slot canyons, and towering rock formations. After exploring the labyrinth of red-hued rocks, you can set up camp for the final night on the road. As the sun dips below the jagged ridges, sit around the fire, feeling a deep connection to the wild places you had traveled through. Since Riacrdo’s does not take reservations, and can be busy on the weekends in the high season, the backup spot is Jawbone Canyon OHV area, which if you leave Ricardos to head home, go 6.5 miles and go right on Jawbone Canyon Road, then go about 2 miles or more and start looking for turnoff places to camp.
Authors Note: If tired or running late, you can always stop with a guaranteed van campsite available at Fossil Falls which is north of Red Rock Canyon by 45 minutes. The Fossil Falls Campground, a Bureau of Land Management site, is known for its unique volcanic landscape, including a dry ravine created by a 20,000-year-old lava flow, making it a popular destination for hiking, biking, rock climbing, and camping. The short Fossil Falls Trail leads to the lava flow, providing an easy and scenic hike, and the flow itself is a popular spot for rock climbers.
Day 7: The Final Stretch – Homebound
Condensed 7-day version
Day 1: San Diego → Trona Pinnacles (First Night) – Depart early (4 hour drive)
• Explore the otherworldly rock formations and enjoy sunset + astrophotography
Day 2: Trona Pinnacles → Alabama Hills (2 hour Drive North)
• Explore Mobius Arch, Movie Road, and epic rock formations
• Find a scenic dispersed campsite with a view of Mt. Whitney
Day 3: Alabama Hills → Big Pine Creek Campground (1.25 hours North)
• Settle into camp and do a short warm-up hike (e.g., First Falls Trail)
Day 4: Big Pine Lakes Hike (Camp at Big Pine Creek Again)
• Full-day hike to Big Pine Lakes (16 miles roundtrip or other shorter options)
Day 5: Big Pine → Convict Lake & Wild Willy’s Hot Springs → Mono Lake
• Drive 1.25 hours to Convict Lake for a scenic stroll or paddle
• Drive 20 minutes to Wild Willy’s Hot Springs for a soak
• Continue 45 minutes to Mono Lake for sunset at the tufa formations
• Camp near Mono Lake
Day 6 – Mono Lake → Ricardo Campground in Red Rock Canyon State Park (3.5 hours drive SOUTH)
• Explore the colorful cliffs and canyons of Red Rock Canyon
• Last night camping under the stars
Day 7: Red Rock Canyon → San Diego (3.5 hours drive)
Alternative Campsites
Tuttle Creek Campground: Near Lone Pine
Taboose Creek Campground: Near Big Pine
Crowley Lake BLM Campground: 28 miles Northwest of Bishop
Glass Creek Campground: 9 miles North of Mammoth Lakes Turnoff
Lower Lee Vining Campground: Near Mono Lake
Aspen Campground: Near Mono Lake
Sawmill Campground: Near Mono Lake
