Tinemaha Creek Campground
Campground · Eastern Sierra corridor
Tinemaha Creek Campground sits at 4,327 feet in the Eastern Sierra corridor near the Inyo National Forest. A high-desert creekside camp with moderate wind exposure and steady spring-through-fall access.
Wind funnels from the south and west most afternoons, building steadily after mid-morning. The 30-day average wind is 13 mph, with gusts reaching 33 mph. Mornings are calmer; plan creek time and setup before 11 a.m. Afternoon exposure is sharp.
The last 30 days averaged a NoGo Score of 8.0 and 13 mph wind, typical for this elevation and aspect. Temperatures have ranged from 56 degrees average to a low of 38 and a high of 76 across the rolling year. The week ahead follows seasonal spring patterns; watch for afternoon wind ramps and crowding spikes on weekends as lower elevations warm.
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About Tinemaha Creek Campground
Tinemaha Creek Campground lies at 4,327 feet on Tinemaha Creek in the Eastern Sierra, roughly 40 road miles south of Big Pine via US Highway 395. The campground sits on the eastern flank of the Sierra crest, in the rain shadow; access is straightforward and year-round from Highway 395. The location is a Bureau of Land Management site with modest infrastructure. Nearby anchors include Laws Railroad Museum to the north and the town of Big Pine, which offers gas, groceries, and water-fill stations. The site is lower and drier than alpine Sierra destinations but higher and cooler than the Owens Valley floor.
Spring through fall, Tinemaha Creek runs snowmelt-fed and cold; water temps stay in the 40s Fahrenheit even in late summer. The 30-day average temperature is 56 degrees Fahrenheit; winter nights drop below 38 degrees regularly, and afternoon highs in summer approach 76 degrees. Wind is the defining constraint. The 30-day average is 13 mph sustained, with max gusts of 33 mph, typical for a creek-bottom site exposed to afternoon thermals and gap winds from the Sierra crest. Crowding averages 7 out of 10 on weekends and holidays; weekday use is light. Late spring and early fall bring the most reliable stable afternoons and the fewest crowds.
Tinemaha Creek Campground suits car campers, creek anglers, and day-trippers from the Owens Valley who want Sierra access without technical driving. The creek itself is heavily used by locals fishing for brown and rainbow trout; success requires early morning presence. Wind-sensitive activities (fly fishing, kayaking, photography) demand Tuesday to Thursday mornings or calm spells after rain. Parking is abundant; the campground rarely fills except summer holidays and first weekends after Highway 395 snow gates clear. Expect afternoon gusts that pin tents and rattle gear; set up away from dead trees and use guylines rigorously.
For comparison, nearby Independence Creek Campground sits slightly lower and east-facing, catching less afternoon wind. June Lake, to the north, is higher and colder. The Owens Valley floor below is hotter and windier. Tinemaha Creek occupies a middle ground: accessible, creek-fed, and sheltered relative to open lake sites, but still exposed to sustained afternoon wind typical of the Eastern Sierra.