Ten Mile Campground
Campground · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Ten Mile Campground sits at 5,814 feet in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of the Sierra Nevada. A modest, low-traffic base for high-country access with reliable shoulder-season conditions.
Wind averages 6 mph but gusts to 20 mph in afternoon hours; morning hours are distinctly calmer. Temperature swings from freezing at dawn to mild by noon. Expect light foot traffic except during peak summer weekends. Exposure is moderate; the site sits in open forest with some wind tunneling from nearby drainages.
Over the last 30 days, Ten Mile Campground has averaged a NoGo Score of 12.0 with temperatures holding near 45 degrees Fahrenheit and average wind at 6 mph. The week ahead should track similar patterns. Plan morning activities to catch flat conditions before afternoon gusts; plan camping trips for Tuesday to Thursday to avoid weekend crowding that averages 9 out of 10.
30 days back / 7 days forward
About Ten Mile Campground
Ten Mile Campground is a small, low-profile campground in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor along the eastern Sierra slope. It sits at 5,814 feet on the approach to the backcountry lakes and passes that drain toward Independence and Inyo County. Access is via Highway 180 from Fresno (west) or from the Bishop area (east via Highway 395 and California State Route 168). The site offers a quiet base for peak-baggers and lake fishermen who want to avoid the crush at Lodgepole or Grant Grove. No nearby services; plan fuel and supplies at Big Pine or Bishop before heading up the pass.
Ten Mile Campground sits high enough that conditions swing sharply by season. Winter snow typically closes the access roads for extended periods; the 30-day average temperature of 45 degrees reflects late spring and early fall conditions, when the site transitions between snow-free and snow-likely. Summer daytime highs reach into the low 60s; nights drop below freezing year-round. Wind averages 6 mph but regularly gusts to 20 mph in afternoon hours as thermal convection kicks in. Crowding is light (9 out of 10 on a typical day reflects very few visitors), so a Tuesday or Wednesday visit offers near-solitude compared to popular Sequoia corridor campgrounds like Lodgepole. Early morning and dusk are calmest; skip the campground after 2 PM if you are launching into exposed terrain.
Ten Mile Campground suits backcountry hikers, peak-baggers, and high-country fishermen who can tolerate minimal services and exposed afternoon wind. The low base popularity (0.3) means parking is never an issue, and the nearest trailheads are less crowded than those at Cedar Grove or Grant Grove. Experienced Sierra users plan around two hazards: afternoon wind gusts to 20 mph (which shorten the safe paddling or climbing window on exposed water or slabs) and the short weather window before roads close in late fall. The site works best as a 2 to 3 day staging point, not an extended basecamp. Water is available on-site; campfire rings are present. Bring cold-weather sleeping layers even in summer; 30 to 40 degree nights are the norm.
Nearby alternatives include Lodgepole Campground (larger, busier, lower elevation, slightly warmer), Wolverton area dispersed camping (steeper terrain, more wind exposure), and the Bishop area campgrounds (lower elevation, warmer, more crowded on weekends). Ten Mile's key advantage is solitude and reliable access to the Inyo National Forest boundary; its main trade-off is minimal amenities and afternoon wind that can exceed 20 mph. Pair a Ten Mile visit with nearby Independence or Big Pine if you want a lower-elevation rest day or resupply. The corridor supports a range of elevations and exposures; Ten Mile fills a specific niche for those prioritizing quiet access over comfort.