Independence Creek Road (FR 13S17) in CA -- Camping Rules & Access
Independence Creek Road (FR 13S17) in CA
Road corridorInyo NF, Mt. Whitney Ranger District
20 mi from Lone Pine
4.7 mi off US 395 (straight line)
Maps 6,943 ft
Dispersed camping generally allowed
U.S. Forest Service default; a local order can restrict it.
Stay limit: 14 consecutive days · 28 days total per calendar year · then move 10 mi
VerizonNONE
AT&TNONE
T-MobileNONE
StarlinkEXCELLENT
Road Access
Difficult
- 1.1 of this road’s 1.6 miles are maintained for high-clearance vehicles, 1.1 miles of it dirt.
- Near Tub Springs.
- Estimated climb: 310 ft over 1.6 miles through 6 switchbacks, with sustained grades near 14%.
- Terrain estimates show roadside drops of up to ~110 ft on the downhill side.
- Terrain estimates suggest little level ground beside this road.
- Dead-end road; turnaround space is not mapped.
- Gates 0.7 and 1.4 miles along the road.
Setting
Limited privacy
- Limited separation from through roads or other sites here, with the nearest through road 0.1 miles off.
- Kearsarge Peak stands 5,704 ft above the map pin, 2.3 miles west.
- Tub Springs lies 0.6 mi off.
Rules
- Within a 10-mile radius of any undeveloped campsite for a period longer than 14 consecutive days. … Anywhere within the Inyo National Forest for more than 28 total days during a calendar year. … Camping within an Inyo National Forest Recreation Restriction Area, except within the campsites located in developed campgrounds or in the posted overflow areas.
- Camping rules
Climate averages
October normals 38–66°F, 0.3″ precipitation. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.