PV Pit Campground
RV Guide

Introduction

PV Pit Campground is short for Pleasant Valley Pit Campground. It is located near the Inyo National Forest in California. This campground is an old gravel quarry that is quite popular for explorers. It’s best known for being cost-efficient. If you’re looking for a secluded adventure in the wilderness, this may not be the place for you.

The people who visit Pleasant Valley Pit Campground are extroverted and friendly. As you can tell by the name, this Bureau of Land Management property doubles as a campground, as well as a day-use area. You’ll be surrounded by beautiful mountains as well as vast desert. There are plenty of different activities that people enjoy during their visit.

Whether you’re wanting to learn about the landscape, watch wildlife in their natural habitat, or ski down the surrounding mountains, there’s something for everyone. The sunrises and sunsets in Bishop, California are hard to beat. Whether you’re camping alone or you’re bringing the whole family, Pleasant Valley Pit Campground is an amazing getaway from the busy life in the city. If you don’t want to camp there, there are a handful of other campgrounds in the area as well.

RV Rentals in PV Pit Campground

Transportation

Driving

Pleasant Valley Pit Campground is located in Inyo County, California. If you’re from the area, you may know how mountainous it is. This isn’t the easiest place to reach, but most of the best places aren’t easy to get to. This area is quite literally surrounded by mountains. Nearby is White Mountain Peak, Mount Gabb, Inyo National Forest, and Waucoba Mountain just to name a few. Thankfully, Bishop, California is a bit of a valley. Highway 395 will bring you to the general area, but Pleasant Valley Dam Road will lead you right to the entrance of PV Pit Campground.

The roads are well-maintained and paved up until you’re on the final stretch. There isn’t too much extreme weather in the area, but you may have to check for snow during the winter and flash flooding during the spring and summer. Once you arrive at Pleasant Valley Pit Campground, the majority of transportation is done on foot. Many people enjoy riding around mountain bikes or even skis during the colder months. Be sure to bring a pair of great hiking boots to get around some of the rough terrain in the area.

Parking

Public Transportation

Campgrounds and parking in PV Pit Campground

Campsites in PV Pit Campground

First-come first-served

PV Pit Campground

Save your time and gas and park the RV directly at PV Pit Campground. You’ve read about the plethora of activities that visitors enjoy including mountain biking, hiking, and auto-touring, but let’s talk a bit about the actual camping experience. Pleasant Valley Pit Campground allows tents and RV campers to stay there. The RVs must be under 30 feet in length and there are no modern hookups available.

You won’t have to worry about the area ever feeling crowded, as there are 75 campsites available to choose from. The pads are dirt, which is much more comfortable for tent campers than concrete. All 75 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and Pleasant Valley Pit Campground is open from the beginning of November through May. It does sit at nearly 4,500 feet in elevation, so you may want to pack a few extra blankets. There is a maximum stay of 30 straight days for visitors of Pleasant Valley Pit Campground.

Pleasant Valley Owens River Campground

With a similar name to PV Pit Campground, Pleasant Valley Owens River Campground is another option. It is open year-round and there are several campsites available. Each of the campsites is on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a river nearby that provides the perfect soundscape to fall asleep to. RVs are also approved to stay here, but there aren't any hookups available. Trailers and RVs are not subject to a specific size, due to the open area of the campground.

Pleasant Valley Owens River Campground offers toilets and trash bins for its guests. If you’re camping during the summer, you can cool off in the river or enjoy an afternoon of fishing. With mountains all around you, it sure makes a beautiful place to rest your head. Not to mention, due to the lack of population from large cities, this is the perfect place to enjoy stargazing with your loved ones.

Horton Creek Campground

Horton Creek is a Bureau of Land Management property that makes for a great place to rest your head. Surprisingly, there are a variety of different amenities available, which isn’t the norm when it comes to BLM campgrounds. It is open all year round and doesn’t have a peak season. There is plenty of room to camp so that you still feel peaceful and unbothered by other visitors.

Horton Creek has 30 campsites available that each come with a picnic table and fire ring. These campsites can be used by the public on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground itself has drinking water available, as well as restrooms. You will also find barbecue grills at the east campsite, along with a dumping station near the entrance of the campground for RVs. Horton Creek has trash bins throughout the campground to help keep the area clean and preserved. Stay up late to watch the stars put on a show after sundown!

Seasonal activities in PV Pit Campground

In-Season

Auto-touring

Because the terrain in Pleasant Valley Pit Campground changes so much, many people enjoy an afternoon of auto-touring. This is a relaxing activity that takes little to no energy to complete. It’s an amazing way to see the landscape and get around the area quickly.

If it’s raining during your stay, auto-touring gives you an entertaining thing to do while staying dry and warm. It’s best to use a vehicle with four-wheel drive for this activity.

Mountain Biking

If you’re traveling with an adrenaline junkie or you are one yourself, mountain biking is another popular activity. This is a fun sport if you have the proper experience. You have to bring your own mountain bike, as there aren’t any rentals in the area. Biking provides a great workout, all while exploring the land. Be sure to wear the proper safety gear including a helmet and knee pads, as the terrain can change quite quickly.

Environmental Education

The last peak season activity that is popular for visitors of the Pleasant Valley Pit Campground is environmental education. Whether you’re a teacher who is planning a field trip or you’re a parent who wants to teach their kids about the earth, Pleasant Valley Pit Campground is the perfect place to do so. There are a variety of different animals, vegetation, and landscapes to cover.

Off-Season

Photography

Who doesn’t love taking photos? It’s a great way to get a little creative and capture a moment of your trip forever. Whether you’re using the camera built into your phone or you’re packing a DSLR in the RV, photography is the perfect off-season activity to enjoy while visiting the Pleasant Valley Pit Campground.

You can snap photos of the surrounding towering mountains during sunrise, wild animals in their natural habitat, or yourself in front of your campsite!

Picnicking

Another laid back thing that many visitors of Pleasant Valley Pit Campground enjoy is picnicking. You can easily set up a picnic at one of the many picnic tables in the area or you can lay down a blanket and immerse yourself in nature.

Enjoying a self-made meal in Pleasant Valley Pit Campground is a great bonus to any stay! Please respect the land and follow the No Trace Left Behind Act by cleaning up after your meal.

Winter Sports

With plenty of snow-covered mountains in the area, visitors of Pleasant Valley Pit Campground enjoy a plethora of winter sports from November until March. Kids love snowball fights and building snowmen, while adults love to ride around on snowmobiles. The entire family can enjoy an afternoon of cross country skiing and end the day with smores and hot cocoa over the campfire. It’s a fun way to explore and also doubles as exercise.