Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp in California? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from technology. These scenic and easy to access California campsites are perfect for dispersed campers.
The Alabama Hills are a formation of rounded rocks and eroded hills set between the jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the geologically complex Inyo Mountains. Both geologic features were shaped by the same uplifting occurring 100 million years ago. Alabama Hills camping offers touring film sites, photography, rock climbing, exploring natural arches, and viewing the swaths of wildflowers that bloom every spring. Horseback riding and mountain biking are popular activities.
Dispersed Camping is allowed in the National Forest except in the area surrounding Huntington Lake, Shaver Lake, Bass Lake, Redinger Lake, and the Merced River Canyon. Campfire permits are required at all times whenever you plan to have a fire on public land outside of a developed campground. When building a fire please remember to only pick up down and dead wood that is no larger than wrist size and to never leave a campfire unattended.
You can obtain a campfire permit at any Forest office or online at http://www.prevetnwildfireca.org/. Be sure to check and see if campfire restrictions are in effect, when campfire restrictions are in place you will not be able to make a fire in dispersed camping areas (Developed Designated Campgrounds Only) but, you will be able to operate gas stoves, and lanterns with your permit.
When camping in the Forest proper food storage is also required either using a bear box, or by the proper use of the counter balance method. While camping anywhere in the forest also keep in mind that there are other people in the forest and we advise you to respect them and their space.
You may stay at one campsite for a limit of 14 days and you may stay on each district for a limit of 21 days before we will ask you to vacate. Please follow ENVUM maps for all designated roads and vehicle limitations.
We ask you to always remember to pack out what you pack in. Human waste needs to be buried 6 to 8 inches deep. For any other questions about visiting and camping in the forest and in the wilderness please visit LeaveNoTrace.org.
Contact the Santa Lucia Ranger District for information about dispersed camping.
Traveler
Spent a night here on the way to Joshua tree. It’s close to the park would be a good alternative to staying in the park. Wide open and flat ( like a dry lake bed ) . I found it to be very windy and lots of dust storms, could have used some goggles. Spent all my time in the van. A harsh environment but tons of space. Welcome to mars.
Traveler
This location was secluded and quit when I was there in January. There are at least six nice flat spots with fire rings. There were two burros in the area which were fun to witness. My only caution would be the road into. The road in is very narrow not sure how you would deal with another vehicle coming into the opposite direction ( sack up and back up). The road was also rough and steep in spots so I would be careful with larger vehicles. My promaster did fine.
Ranger
The dirt road is worrisome, but it worked out fine with my Tesla model Y. Lots of great sites overlooking an alien planet landscape. I felt safe as a solo female camper. No AT&T service within a 10 mile radius.
Ranger
This is a nice and flat area just off the 395 freeway plenty of room for large rigs. I set up and was at the base of the old volcano. I was only there for one night got super windy around 1 AM and never stopped the entire evening other than that there are some pretty unique views.
Traveler
Grateful for free camping sites. Just outside of Julian which is a charming little town.
Decent for some seclusion/isloation as the road through is winding.
When in early January. 65-70 during the day. ~45 at night.
The quiet was my favorite part.
Scout
We went mid week in August and it wasn’t too crowded. The views were beautiful and the water was perfect. The road was much more technical than a standard forrest service road, but doable in most stock crossover vehicles or better. We had a borrowed AWD Transit van and did it with some patience and strategic line choice.
Guide
This is a great spot for an overnight stay about 11 miles down Kelbaker Road from Highway 15. There are two larger sites near the road, but if you drive a little way past those, you will find one small site before the little hill. We also found two more sites after the little hill and one of them was about 30 feet deep, which was good for us. We tried to go farther, but we didn’t see anything for quite a way so we turned around again. A word of caution, it is not easy to turn around because it’s very sandy.
The campsite we chose past the little hill was not visible from the other campsites and it had a great view of the valley and the mountains. You could barely see the highway, and you could not hear it.
Unfortunately, we did see some toilet paper around our site which we picked up. It is simple enough to just buy a toilet bucket at Sportsman‘s Warehouse and add a bag of pine pellets that you can throw away in the dump when you leave.
It’s a nice private spot and we will definitely stay there again.
Guide
Located South of Q Casino on way to boarder crossing. No amenities. Just a great place to park for free. Casino charges $10/nite for exact same amenities.
Traveler
It’s technically the Republic of Slowjamistan.
Lots of open space, just drive out and park. Might need an air down/up system depending on how far in you want to travel. No issues for the first 0.25-0.5 mile off the highway.
ATV rentals available. There are some picnic tables and compost hole restrooms.
Traveler
Easy spots to turn around and park. Beautiful views, slight road noise if you’re not in the van but quiet inside. Wouldn’t recommend anything bigger than a extended sprinter or transit
Scout
Dry lake bed. Lots of room and easy to park with ability to put a lot of space between you and others.
Pros: free, close to the park.
Cons: people are clearly living here. Drug deals going down at night with people sitting on the edges with high beams on. Peoplenliving here running generators from 8 pm until they run out of gas at 3 am. 230 am donuts in a pickup followed by screaming for his dogs he let out of his trailer.
We stayed on the south side of the park first and that was much better.
Traveler
We were driving to Vegas from California and needed a place to stop and sleep for the night. This spot works well for big rigs, I am about 52 ft tip to tail and could turn around and park my easily and get to a relatively flat spot in the dark. Highway noise is an issue, but we were so exhausted it didn't matter. There's also a lot of people that stop to stretch, pee, sleep here.
Traveler
A great place to climb rocks and watch sunrises and sunsets. Lots of birds to listen to and spy with binoculars. In the spring the desert flowers are blooming and beautiful to seek out different species. The road leading to the research station is tight, you will likely get the sides of your vehicle scratched. Lots of dirt roads to explore and even found some petroglyphs nearby. The dispersed sites are about and 1/8 of mile apart and separated by boulders so privacy is great.
It was pleasing to see almost no litter or bottles and cans.
Bring your own water, bring your own privy.
Drive slow and watch for desert tortoises and other wild life while exploring the miles and miles of dirt roads.
Only complaint was the guy who drove his dirt back around the rocks like it was his own personal dirt track. He did that for half an hour the disappears.
Guide
At the end of the raod, it dead ends at a creek. Its is a nice spot for a few rigs. It's a beautiful spot looking out into the Sierra mountains. I dont recall any obstacles to crawl over. Gets cold at night...dress warm.
Traveler
We stayed here for one night and it was a great spot, really quite. The road was a little rough to get to where we stayed but no issue in our van aside from being a bit bumpy. We stopped about 2 miles from the main road. We arrived in the dark and it was a little tricky to see where we could and couldn't stay. We turned right off the road and found a flat open space with a fire ring. There was nobody else there. In the morning we could see some RVs further along the path and assume this is the proper site but we had no issues staying where we did .
Scout
Dirt road to get there but safe, clean place. Stunning view
Guide
Great views — and often less soggy than down below on the water and beach. Only drawback is proximity to the access road and a bit exposed.
ScoutI followed the coordinates provided and it took us right to the trailhead. We saw a few other campers but overall, the campground was ours for the weekend. We did some light hiking and exploring but otherwise took advantage of the peace and quiet that was available to us. Gorgeous sunsets and sunrises and epic star gazing! Being a dark sky community, we were able to see so many stars and constellations. We saw shooting stars nearly every minute and we were also able to find Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all with the naked eye! Next time we will pack a small telescope and I'm sure we will see more!
Watch out for cactus and needles that are buried in the sand. It is not recommended to bring dogs or walk barefoot for this reason. Our sandals and boots both had many needles stuck in the rubber soles after the trip. Being in the valley, the winds were very light but there is a possibility of strong winds and sand storms so be prepared. Temps averaged 70-75 during the day and dropped to 38-42 at night but with a small fire and proper gear, we were plenty comfortable. Fire rings are provided at some locations however the ranger informed us we could build a rock ring and line it with tin foil which worked great.
The road in was a bit rough in some areas. Wash out and silty sand could pose problems for smaller vehicles or campers so use your best judgement. Single track roads in/out so you will need to yield off the main road when encountering larger oncoming vehicles, which could also be difficult for inexperienced offroad drivers.
Scout
Attempted to camp on 12/01/2024 and the road was closed. Beautiful views on the way, but unfortunately the gate was locked :(
Guide
Easy enough to find for a night’s stop.
Guide
Great isolated spot, probably great for stargazing when the moon isn’t in your face.
Guide
Was one of the most beautiful campgrounds I’ve stayed at. Just unfortunate that most the spots are labeled “Day Use Only.” Luckily we ran into someone nice enough to offer sharing their campground. Definitely a place you’d want to show up 4-5 hours early to find a spot. Otherwise, the roads were not too bad. The below freezing temps were well worth the stunning views.
Guide
We pulled off on the closest part to the road which was quiet all night really. There were other parts further up.
Guide
We arrived just before dark, it’s quite a small site. Room for 4 vans max, ideal for 3. We used to chocks to level up as it’s pretty uneven in parts. But a great nights sleep, we had the place to ourselves
Guide
We arrived in the dark and met one vehicle who was coming down. We were lucky there was enough room to pass plus in the dark you can see what’s coming as other reviews mention, the road in is narrow in parts and around 1 mile before you get to the camp ground. We had the place to ourselves in our campervan, there was room for a few more vehicles. Great views coming down in the morning
Guide
Quite a large level area, though it was November and not peak season so there were loads of space. We pulled in and there were a couple of trailers with horses and a couple of other vehicles and we parked with loads of space between. When we left early in the morning a handful more of vehicles had joined.
Traveler
There was no food locker or bathroom close to where I parked but there are lots of spots, and a great view, it's also very close to grocery stores. Heavy wind and some critters interested in the tent. Very immersive area. I ended up just putting all my food in a cooler in my trunk and it worked.
Wouldn't go down the last steep section, it was wet sand, I decided not to risk it, as it was night too, and parked sideways at the spot overlooking the valley, it was a great view but I couldn't really see where the river was.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping in California, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds, offering a unique outdoor experience.
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