Major city · United States
Big Pine
Use Big Pine as a quick stop for fuel, food, or a hike into the Sierra or White Mountains. Half a day to one night is enough.
Big Pine is a small town on US 395 in the Owens Valley, between Bishop and Independence. It is a practical base for hiking the Seven Lakes area or visiting the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Most travellers pass through in under an hour.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–October
- avoid December–March (snow on higher roads, some closures)
- Airport
- BIH
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Big Pine911 ▾
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Big Pine, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBIH Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (Bishop) (About 25 min north on US 395; limited flights from Denver and Los Angeles.).
- Getting aroundA car is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Street or quick mealBurger or sandwich at a diner$10–15
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$130 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BIH Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (Bishop) (About 25 min north on US 395; limited flights from Denver and Los Angeles.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Mar (7 rain days), driest Jun (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Big Pine: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
4 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is essential. Big Pine is walkable along Main Street, but the trailheads and bristlecone forest are a 15–30 minute drive.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Drive east on CA 168 for 12 mi, then left on White Mountain Road for 10 mi
Open mid-May to mid-November; bring food and water. The visitor center is rebuilt.
Bishop
goDoor to door: 15 min
US 395 north, about 15 min
Larger town with more dining, groceries, and services.
Lone Pine
goDoor to door: 30 min
US 395 south, about 30 min
Gateway to Mount Whitney and Alabama Hills.
Death Valley National Park (Eureka Dunes)
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
CA 168 east, then Death Valley Road; last 10 mi unpaved but packed
Check road conditions; carry extra water and fuel.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street (US 395)
Motels and a few inns along the highway; easy access, some road noise.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Car rental per day (economy)2 × US$50 · check | US$100 |
| Gas for a day of driving (about 100 mi)1 × US$20 | US$20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$51 |
| Trip total≈ US$281 per person per day, bed included | US$561 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and rental car excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Burger or sandwich at a diner | $10–15 |
| Motel double room per night | $90–180 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $4–5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No gas station in town? Check before you arrive; the nearest is in Bishop.
- Cell service can be spotty west of town toward the Sierra.
- The Bristlecone Pine Forest road closes in winter; check Inyo National Forest conditions.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Big PineBig Pine
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bishop Airport to Big Pine (taxi or rideshare): about $40–60, 25 min (check)
- Gas station in Bishop (closest): about 15 min north on US 395
English is the primary language; no special phrases needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Big Pine. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–October · avoid December–March (snow on higher roads, some closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Seven Lakes trailhead and Bristlecone Pine Forest with seasonal closures.
- Eat pages for the handful of restaurants in Big Pine.
- Sleep page for Big Pine Motel with phone and price range.
Sources
Ask about Big Pine
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