Cedar Flat Group Campground
Campsites at the Cedar Flat Group are quite popular with academic institutions for their geology field trips. The lack of light pollution makes the night sky perfect for stargazing and night photography. You and Fido can marvel at the brilliant sights that come on at night here. The sites sit on an elevation of 7,300 feet, in a dry landscape sprinkled with juniper and pinyon trees, sage, and rabbitbrush.
The campground contains three large group sites that can house 25 to 50 people. Each site has a table, vault toilet and campfire ring. You won’t find water here and the nearest source for food, water, and fuel is 12 miles out in the Big Pine town. It’s best to pack some food and water before arriving. Also, pack some poop bags for your dog and use them to keep the place clean. Although there are no showers, you can access a section of the Owens River for a swim and quick rinse. Small tent villages are often set up when groups visit to ensure they don’t disturb each other too much.
Nearby attractions include the White Mountain Peak, which is California’s 3rd highest peak, towering at an impressive 14,246 feet. The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest has some amazing trails that lead to some of the oldest living trees on the planet. Keep in mind that this is a remote area with little cell phone coverage.
The combination of geology, hiking, and stargazing add a unique touch to the Cedar Flat Group Campground. You can visit this place with Fido, with the option to move ahead to other, more conventional campgrounds that are not too far up the road. Having said that, it will be certainly interesting to watch your doggo’s reaction at the brilliant night sky lit up with the countless stars.
