Fort Independence, Military fort in Owens Valley, California, US

Fort Independence, first called Camp Independence, was a U.S. Army post on Oak Creek in the Owens Valley, about 3 miles (4.8 km) north of present-day Independence in Inyo County, eastern California. It was active from 1862 to 1877. The site is a California Historical Landmark marked by a plaque on Highway 395.

Camp Independence was founded on July 4, 1862, on Oak Creek during the Owens Valley Indian War, and also served as a Civil War army post. It was briefly abandoned in December 1864, reoccupied by the Nevada Volunteers in March 1865, and finally abandoned on July 5, 1877. The military reservation passed to the Interior Department on July 22, 1884.

The location became central to establishing the Fort Independence Indian Reservation, which later received additional land through executive orders. This made the area a focal point for relations between the military and local indigenous communities.

The site is easily reached from Highway 395 by heading to where Miller Lane and Salvabell Lane meet. Being located in open desert landscape means visitors should prepare for full sun exposure and limited shade options.

The fort's original name, Camp Independence, was chosen when it was founded on July 4, 1862, during the Owens Valley Indian War. It was also garrisoned as a Civil War army post, and the Nevada Volunteers reoccupied it in March 1865 after renewed conflict with the local Paiute.