Route 4N39 runs along a ridgeline inside Stanislaus National Forest, putting campers on open, elevated ground with powerlines tracing much of the road's length. The terrain shifts toward tree shade and more level ground toward the back of the route, where fir and other conifers provide cover. Camping here is roadside and dispersed, with a handful of established fire pits marking the most-used spots.
Road conditions are manageable without four-wheel drive, but clearance matters. Speed bumps on the western end near Spring Gap Road serve as an informal clearance test, and reviewers note that high-clearance vehicles handle the route with no significant issues. The road itself is well-maintained. Active logging and cattle grazing in the area are worth knowing about before arrival.
Nearby Beardsley Lake can draw crowds, and this route sees less pressure than some alternatives in the corridor. Cell service is listed as available, and the site is free with no permit required. Pets and campfires are both allowed. For campers who want more tree cover and developed sites nearby, Fraser Flat Campground sits roughly two miles southwest, while Strawberry Peak Hilltop Dispersed offers another ridgeline option about a mile to the northeast. Those visiting in summer should note that shade is limited along the exposed western sections of the road, so arriving early to claim a spot toward the back gives access to the better-shaded, flatter ground.
Description
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services like trash removal, and few or no facilities such as tables and fire pits, are provided.
Dispersed camping takes a lot more effort than camping in a developed campground, but for those with an adventurous spirit, it can be a lot of fun.
Here are some important points to remember about dispersed camping:
The maximum length of stay in a forest ranger district is 21 days per year. Please practice good outdoor ethics about camping, travel and behavior while visiting. Dispersed campers are allowed to park within one vehicle length (including any tow vehicle) of a National Forest transportation route and walk into camp. Dispersed camping is not permitted in developed campgrounds and day use areas. Other areas closed to dispersed camping include historical and archaeological sites. Also, be certain that you are within the boundaries of the National Forest before setting up camp. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway. Dispersed camping is not allowed in these areas: within one mile of Pinecrest Basin along 7N83, Clark Fork Road along Hwy 108 between Clark Fork Road and Kennedy Meadows Road Leave No Trace Camping – Camp so no one notices you while you are there, and no one even knows you were there after you leave. Please respect nature and other visitors by keeping noise to a minimum. Always pack out whatever you pack in. No permanent structures are to be constructed to an area, such as building rock-lined fire pits, trenches around tents, or carving into trees. Human waste should be deposited in a hole dug 6 - 10 inches deep and then covered with organic soil. Vehicles are not permitted off of roads, but if you can safely park your vehicle adjacent and parallel to the road and are not blocking the roadway, you may park and camp. Most sites will have a parking spot nearby while other sites may not. Because the footprint of a vehicle can have a large impact to soils, please do not create new “parking spot” for a campsite. Please park in designated or already impacted spots. If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that has been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites so using existing ones will minimize your impact in the forest.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsForest Route 4N39 Dispersed is located in California near Stanislaus National Forest
Coordinates
38.18926814085091 N
120.04349623895831 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage
AT&T5GGood Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&T5GGood Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Forest Route 4N39 Dispersed needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 33 min from Modesto, CA
- 1 hr 35 min from Merced, CA
- 1 hr 40 min from Stockton, CA
- 3 hrs 28 min from Carson City, NV
