Best Dispersed Camping near Ahwahnee, CA

Dispersed camping areas near Ahwahnee, California include several free sites on public lands, primarily in the Sierra and Inyo National Forests. Goat Meadow offers primitive camping just outside Yosemite's south entrance, while Yosemite "Boondock National" provides another nearby option. Additional dispersed sites can be found along Hardin Flat Road and at various locations throughout the surrounding national forest lands. Most sites require no permits or reservations and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Access roads to many dispersed sites range from maintained dirt roads to rougher terrain requiring high-clearance vehicles. Goat Meadow features relatively flat terrain accessible to most vehicles, while other areas may demand 4WD capability. Fire restrictions are common, particularly during summer months, with complete bans during high fire danger periods. Most locations have a 14-day maximum stay limit. No amenities are provided at these primitive sites—campers must pack in water and pack out all trash. Cell service is typically limited or nonexistent.

The dispersed camping experience near Ahwahnee provides excellent proximity to Yosemite National Park without the crowds or costs of developed campgrounds. Sites at Goat Meadow and Yosemite "Boondock National" offer forest settings with varying degrees of privacy. Hardin Flat Road provides additional options for tent camping. Campers should prepare for variable conditions and wildlife encounters. "No phone signal whatsoever," noted one camper about the area. Another visitor to Goat Meadow described it as "a great location, close to Yosemite Park which allows you to sleep for free. The spot was clean, impressive camper vans were present."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Ahwahnee, California (34)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 34 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Ahwahnee, CA

131 Reviews of 34 Ahwahnee Campgrounds


  • Dave V.
    Sep. 13, 2018

    Gladys Lake Backcountry, Ansel Adams Wilderness

    Breathtaking Beauty!

    RANGER REVIEW: Mountain House Spaghetti with Meat Sauce at Gladys Lake Backcountry Campsites, Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA

    CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Gladys Lake Backcountry Campsite, Ansel Adams Wilderness

    Backcountry camping often offers great hiking, epic scenery, serene solitude and otherwise missed sights. Depending on location, backcountry campsite locations can offer their own challenges, whether through the permitting process, preparation of gear and meals, logistics, or difficult terrain…but the trade offs can pay out big dividends.

    Leaving behind the din of packed campgrounds…getting unplugged from electronic encumbrances…relaxing beside an untouched alpine lake where the only sound you hear is the whir of dragonfly wings as they dart about.

    Only a set number of backcountry permits are issued daily, so crowds and impact remain minimal to nonexistent.

    Permits are necessary for all backcountry overnight stays in the Inyo National Forest. https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/inyo/passes-permits

    Whenever backcountry hiking/camping in California, do yourself a service and go online https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/passes-permits/?cid=stelprdb5139009 and take the California Campfire Permit test to acquire your certificate and possess it when in the backcountry.

    Several ways to get to Gladys Lake exist…

    1. John Muir Trail (JMT) thru-hike permits NOBO or SOBO

    2. John Muir Trail section hike permits

    3. Wilderness Permits Day hike permits

    You could enter from Reds Meadows and follow the JMT north to Gladys Lake…or better from Agnew Meadows and follow the Shadow Creek Trail (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=21272&actid=51 ) up and around Shadow Lake and then south on the JMT past Rosalie Lake to Gladys Lake. Each access trail has a daily quota…such as Shadow Creek, which has a daily quota of 30…18 secured through reservation and 12 walk-ups. So if you are choosing to walk-up, have some flexibility of starting days.

    We had a JMT SOBO permit acquired six months in advance through the NPS permit lottery. But next visit, I will likely enter through Agnew Meadows via day permit.

    Most hikers will stop and camp at Rosalie Lake, which is a wonderful option and a much larger lake. Some would suggest a more picturesque lake than Gladys Lake…but that is all in the eye of the beholder.

    August of 2018 saw little precipitation and the winter snowfall was below expectations, so lake water levels were lower and surrounding shoreline not marshy or soggy. Which made for dry and mosquito free conditions.

    The effects of local forest fires did cover surrounding mountain views during certain times of the day, and brought with it a bit of lung burning and eye stinging. Early morning and late evening hours brought clearer skies.

    Be forewarned that seemingly every backcountry campsite brings with it a steep uphill slog, but worth it. Gladys Lake is at 9600 ft elevation.

    I believe there was one other camper at Gladys Lake the night we stayed…but we neither heard nor saw them. It was a perfectly peaceful evening!

    Amenities? Well, no showers…no toilets…no water spigots…no electricity…no picnic tables…one lonely stone fire ring but open fires are not permitted. No cell service or WiFi…no general store or local grocery store. However, Gladys Lake water was refreshing both to wade and drink (filtered). You are surrounded by fragrant conifers that buffer sound. A perfectly peaceful location to relax and dream.

    PRODUCT REVIEW: Mountain House Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

    https://www.mountainhouse.com/

    As a frequent user of Mountain House freezes dried dinners, and being a creature of habit, I often settle into a couple favorite meals and don’t deviate to new offerings. Mundane and boring?…perhaps.

    But…after winning $100 worth of Mountain House meals through an early season TheDyrt.com contest… and with my daughter as my hiking buddy, I selected several different meals to avoid mutiny.

    One of these meal pouches was Mountain House’s Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.

    I admit, I was a little suspect as to how freeze-dried spaghetti with meat sauce would taste, but we were both very pleased with the sauce flavors, seasoning and the amount of meat in the sauce. The only thing I would add is a couple slices of toasted garlic bread.

    If the next rotation of Mountain House Spaghetti with Meat Sauce was easily located in our bear canisters, we would’ve likely had a second helping…but sadly, it was not.

    In pairing down weight before our backcountry hike, I removed the contents from Mountain House’s original packaging and utilized a commercial vacuum sealer to make smaller, lighter meal packs as 11 days of food needed to fit in a bear canister. It worked, but the distinct drawback was not being able to prepare the meal in the resealable pouch. A pot was necessary to allow the freeze-dried contents to soak in the boiling water. So clean up was more extensive than it would’ve been by using the Mountain House resealable pouch. It was a trade off and we made it work.

    If you are new to Mountain House freeze dried meals, directions are printed plain and simple on the pouch.

    •Measure out the prescribed amount of water

    •boil water

    •open meal pouch and remove moisture packet

    •pour boiling water in pouch and stir contents thoroughly

    •seal pouch for prescribed time

    •open pouch and stir contents

    •serve and enjoy

    It doesn’t get any easier.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping

    Amazing boondocking!!

    What a brilliant place! Nestled amongst trees right on the edge of Yosemite. Was quite busy when I was there but managed to find a quiet spot tucked away & private. Bumpy roads around the actual camping area but manageable in a camper van. Actually saw a few big rigs here too. Only negative was the biting bugs which were everywhere & hungry but didn’t spoil the evening, just wish I’d taken bug spray or a citronella candle!

  • Mark L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Van Haven Dispersed Site Yosemite

    Rugged, Remote, Dusty

    Red Cloud Rd offers few viable camping sites. The road becomes increasingly rough and eroded, with deep ruts and drainages. 4WD or AWD is necessary. Site offers scenic views, unobstructed night sky, and interesting exploration.

    Leave no trace!

  • Alex P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2020

    Inyo National Forest Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful dispersed camping

    You can get maps for this area at some of the information boards at the beginning of the dirt roads, they also have an app that will show you all the roads in the area. What’s nice is the map color codes the roads so that you know what your vehicle is capable of driving on. Some of the roads can get a bit rough, so make sure you know your vehicles limits. Once you get out there, enjoy! It’s so beautiful and quiet. Please make sure you pack in and pack out your trash, there are no services for that. Also, be aware of fire restrictions!

  • Megan S.
    Jul. 28, 2022

    Scenic Loop - Dispersed Camping

    Great free camping!

    Got here on Sunday - plenty of spots to park the camper van both Sunday and Monday. Multiple turn offs on the Scenic Loop road to camp at. No bathrooms, water, electricity, or fire rings. Pretty dispersed but close enough to downtown. Would go back!

  • T
    Oct. 3, 2019

    Inyo National Forest Dispersed Camping

    Boondockers welcome!

    We boondocked in Inyo National Forest just last weekend, September 27-29, and it felt like we had the place to ourselves. The location was incredible, there were fellow boondockers around, but not too close, and it felt like we had the place to ourselves. There is no water on site that we found, but we knew that going in. Our rig was 58' long and we had no issues getting in or out. We enjoyed Jeeping on the trails in Inyo National Forest, and we enjoyed the peace and quiet. We will be back.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2023

    Scenic Loop Dispersed Camping - Eastside

    Amazing!

    Our Tacoma made it to the campsites toward the back of the grounds just fine, but there was access closer to the main road for vehicles without high clearance. Great location, close enough to town or Tioga Pass if you wish to visit Yosemite. A bit buggy so be aware. We stayed 2 nights, but at two separate campsites, each of them as good.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2021

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Amazing off grid Location, Quiet, RV access

    After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location.

    First, to tell you how to properly get here and find all the spots, drive to the end of the road (don’t pay attention to the gate and “off road” dirt road you see to the left before the parking lot. Don’t go there. Go to just before the big Snow Play parking lot and head right through the dirt. There is no paved road but the area is flat and any car, truck or rv/trailer can make it back here easily. I got nervous at first about ability to turnaround so I parked prematurely near the entrance. Keep going and you’ll find at least 4 or 5 big private areas separated by huge cut logs all with plenty of room to turnaround and not have to back up.

    If you’re nervous, we watched several cars, vans, and trailers camp overnight in the big paved parking lot right past this, and that’s fine, but you’re in a parking lot. Come out to the right and you’re in heaven.

    We were the only RV here and had it to ourselves an entire week (granted it’s early November). Can’t beat the proximity to Yosemite south entrance.

  • Eli C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Scenic Loop Dispersed Camping - Eastside

    Great location near Mammoth Village

    Get there early enough to find a spot. Multiple locations near by not listed. It gets a bit dusty and windy. Lots of off road vehicles.

    All the camper vans rolled in after dark and it filled up quick.

    Mammoth Village was a short drive away.


Guide to Ahwahnee

Dispersed camping areas near Ahwahnee, California sit at elevations between 5,000-5,500 feet in the Sierra National Forest. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures reaching 90°F and cold winters with occasional snow accumulation. Fire restrictions typically run from May through November, with complete bans during high fire danger periods when the region's pine and cedar forests become particularly vulnerable to wildfires.

What to do

Hike nearby trails: Several accessible hiking options exist near Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site. "This site had loads of space. When we camped 1 car 2 tents on 4/11/25 there were a number of other people and plenty of spots to check out. The area felt safe and easy to access. It's about 1 hour from the valley visitor center," reports one camper.

Explore lesser-visited park areas: Camping along Hardin Flat Road provides quick access to Yosemite's less crowded sections. "Spent (2) nights here and loved it. Enough T-Mobile service for messaging and lite web browsing. Spacious pull-out with a small rock fire pit. ~8min drive to Big Oak Entrance and ~40min drive to Yosemite Valley Welcome Center," shares a visitor.

Winter activities: During winter months, camp near snow play areas for family fun. "When I was there recently, some of the 'campsites' had 0-3", whereas other spots were about 6-8". Consequently, there were about 6-8 cars/vans that ended up camping in the parking lot of the snowplay area," notes a winter visitor to Goat Meadow.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Free camping near Ahwahnee offers good separation between campers. At Evergreen Rd Dispersed camping, "Nothing fancy or too expansive, but a handful of spots on either side of the road. Certainly easier to settle in before it's dark," according to one reviewer.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area hosts diverse wildlife including deer and coyotes. "Coyotes and bears are active in the area—coyotes raided a bag I had hanging from a tree and stole my food!" warns one camper about Goat Meadow.

Cell service availability: Unlike many dispersed areas, some sites maintain usable connectivity. A Hardin Flat Road visitor notes, "Really nice stay close to Yosemite with really spread out spots. Couldn't even see your neighbor and the vicinity to the park made it perfect. It's 4 stars because you could hear the traffic from the main road from my spot."

What you should know

Arrival timing matters: Popular sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. At Yosemite "Boondock National" Dispersed Camping, "What a brilliant place! Nestled amongst trees right on the edge of Yosemite. Was quite busy when I was there but managed to find a quiet spot tucked away & private," reports one camper.

Road conditions vary: Access roads range from maintained dirt to rough terrain. "The road getting there has tons of potholes and the road in the site is super super bumpy," warns a Goat Meadow visitor.

Seasonal crowding: Holiday weekends bring significant crowds. "Close to Yosemite entrance, which was great. Stayed about a week which also crossed over Memorial Day weekend. Arrived the Tuesday before. This place gets CROWDED. At 5:30 it's like everyone got off work and headed home, it's nuts," notes a camper about Goat Meadow.

Tips for camping with families

Choose easily accessible sites: Some areas offer better vehicle access for families with gear. At Hardin Flat Road, "Lots of available spots along Hardin Flat Road, most with good shade. Passed 10-15 pull out spots for car campers, and at least 10 more easily accessible spots for tents. We were there peak season but mid-week and spots were easy to find."

Bug protection essential: Certain areas experience heavy insect activity. "Lots of ticks! be prepared. other than that, our camp was wonderful. there were many other groups camping in this area which provided a sense of comfort," warns a Hardin Flat visitor.

Consider noise levels: Some sites experience traffic noise or noise from neighboring facilities. "The spots along the creek were very buggy. We found one away from the water and not at all buggy. It turned out to be near enough to Rush Creek Lodge that you could hear kid noise from the pool during the day but it got quiet after 9pm," shares a Hardin Flat Road camper.

Tips from RVers

Maneuvering limitations: Some sites present challenges for larger vehicles. At Yosemite "Boondock National", "Bumpy roads around the actual camping area but manageable in a camper van. Actually saw a few big rigs here too," reports one RVer.

Early arrival recommended: Finding suitable spots for larger rigs requires daylight hours. "We got in a lil late and was a little tricky finding a spot. But once we did, it was perfect. Took us about 9 min to get to the park entrance," explains a visitor to Evergreen Rd camping.

Traffic considerations: Holiday traffic affects travel times. "I will say if it's a holiday weekend and you leave camp headed into town be prepared for at least an hour in traffic due to backup from the park entrance," cautions a Goat Meadow visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ahwahnee, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ahwahnee, CA is Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site with a 4.5-star rating from 41 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Ahwahnee, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 34 dispersed camping locations near Ahwahnee, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.