Where is Mount Whitney, Lone Pine, California?

Written by | Last Updated: November 19, 2025, 12:28 PM ET

Mount Whitney is located in California, USA. It lies between Lone Pine and Sequoia National Park and is situated in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is famous for being the highest mountain in the contiguous United States.

Mount Whitney Location Map, Lone Pine, California

Top Attractions Inside Mount Whitney

  • Mount Whitney Summit – Highest peak in the continental U.S., offering unmatched Sierra Nevada views.
  • Whitney Portal – Scenic base area with trail access, campgrounds, and dramatic granite walls.
  • Mount Whitney Trail – Iconic route featuring alpine lakes, rugged switchbacks, and high-elevation scenery.
  • Consultation Lake – Serene alpine lake near the trail, ideal for rest and photography.
  • Trail Camp – Popular overnight stop for hikers, located below the infamous 99 switchbacks.
  • Lone Pine Lake – Picturesque lake along the lower section of the trail, perfect for a shorter hike.
  • Wildlife Encounters – Opportunities to spot marmots, pikas, and high-altitude bird species.

Mount Whitney Facts

Official NameMount Whitney
LocationLone Pine, Inyo County, California, USA
Latitude & Longitude36.5785° N, 118.2919° W
Total AreaLocated within Inyo National Forest & Sequoia National Park (no individual area designation)
Elevation14,505 ft (4,421 m) – Highest summit in the contiguous United States
EstablishedProtected under Sequoia National Park (1890) and Inyo National Forest (1907)
FounderN/A (natural mountain formation)
Managed ByU.S. Forest Service & National Park Service
RegionSierra Nevada Mountains
AddressWhitney Portal Road, Lone Pine, CA 93545, USA
Zip Code93545
Area Code760 / 442
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD, $)
Time ZonePacific Time (PT) – UTC−8 Standard / UTC−7 Daylight Saving
Theme / ConceptHigh-Altitude Hiking, Mountaineering, Alpine Wilderness
Sections (Areas)Whitney Portal - Mount Whitney Trail - Trail Camp - Summit Plateau - John Muir Wilderness
Famous AttractionsMount Whitney Summit - Whitney Portal - Trail Camp - John Muir Trail (JMT) Terminus
Annual Visitors~19,000 summit permit hikers annually
Entry Fee TypePermit Required for Day & Overnight Summit Attempts
Ticket Price Range$6 reservation fee + $15 per hiker (permit fee)
Ticket OptionsDay Use Permit - Overnight Permit - JMT Long-Distance Permit
Best Time to VisitJuly–September (snow-free season; safest climbing conditions)
Nearby AirportMammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) – ~84 miles (135 km)
TransportationCar access to Whitney Portal - Hiking Trails - Limited local shuttle services
Official Websitehttps://www.fs.usda.gov/inyo

Distances from Mount Whitney to Nearby Landmarks

  • Whitney Portal – 17 km (10.6 mi)
  • Lone Pine – 19 km (11.8 mi)
  • Alabama Hills Recreation Area – 21 km (13.0 mi)
  • Manzanar National Historic Site – 38 km (23.6 mi)
  • Independence, CA – 38 km (23.6 mi)
  • Bishop, CA – 86 km (53.4 mi)
  • Death Valley National Park (Panamint Springs) – 100 km (62.1 mi)
  • Sequoia National Park (Crescent Meadow) – 112 km (69.6 mi)
  • Kings Canyon National Park (Cedar Grove) – 148 km (92.0 mi)
  • Mammoth Lakes – 126 km (78.3 mi)
  • Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery – 39 km (24.2 mi)
  • Mt. Wilson Peak (Sierra Crest) – 6 km (3.7 mi)
  • Guitar Lake – 10 km (6.2 mi)