Big Arroyo Junction is a popular backcountry camping area along the High Sierra Trail, located about 20 miles from Crescent Meadow and just beyond Kaweah Gap (10,700 feet). Situated at 9,100 feet, this site offers flat, well-established campsites near Big Arroyo Creek, making it a good place to stop for the night after the challenging climb over Kaweah Gap. There are no amenities, but hikers will find ample tent space, reliable water sources from the creek (which must be filtered or treated), and bear boxes for food storage. The area is surrounded by granite landscapes and subalpine meadows, and there is a cool old log cabin near by to check out.
If you are unable to reach this spot by Big Arroyo Junction, there are many other established backcountry sites back along the trail on Big Arroyo Creek after Kaweah Gap. These sites offer good alternatives for camping and allow for more flexibility in daily mileage, especially for hikers adjusting to the high elevation, or for those who simply want more time on this amazing trail!