Stop for a break or set your tent up for the night in this eastern Sierra town.
Situated on State Route 395 between Keough Hot Springs and Fish Springs, the small community of Big Pine is a good place to stretch your legs when heading up to the Inyo National Forest. The Big Pine Band of Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Indians of the Big Pine Reservation have their headquarters in Big Pine. If you want to stay the night, Inyo County Parks & Recreation operate a couple of campgrounds right on the edge of town. These include the Glacier View Campground, right on the highway, and the more tucked-away Baker Creek Campground to the east of town.
Big Pine is within easy reach of the Mojave Desert, which has a number of fantastic protected areas. These include Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and the Mojave National Preserve.
If you need a little Southern California beach time, the Los Angeles County coastline is within day-tripping distance away. If you want to stay the night, Malibu and the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offer plenty of camping options.
A short drive southwest of Big Pine, the southern Sierra Nevada range is a great place to camp, swim, and hike, especially in the summer months. The star attraction, Sequoia National Forest is home to 38 different groves of sequoia trees plus ample opportunities for camping and backpacking.
Temperatures vary greatly in Big Pine, with cold and snowy winters and oftentimes sweltering summers. It's definitely a summer destination, particularly if you're planning on camping, though the weather is usually warm and dry enough during the April-May and September-October shoulder seasons. If you do decide to visit in late summer or early fall, you may not be allowed to have a campfire, as fire bans are common during the wildfire season.