Dispersed camping near Pinecrest, California provides solitude across multiple national forest areas at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 7,000 feet. The region experiences significant seasonal variation, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during day and dropping to 40-50°F at night. Many primitive sites become inaccessible from late October through May due to snow accumulation and seasonal road closures.
What to do
Fishing alpine lakes: Union Valley Reservoir offers warm-water fishing during summer months with shoreline access from multiple dispersed sites. "The lake is warm in the summer," notes a camper at Union Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping.
Hiking to waterfalls: Several trails lead to seasonal waterfalls near Iowa Hill. "Hike nearby with waterfall is beautiful," reports a camper at Independence Hill Dispersed.
Rock climbing: Silver Fork area provides technical climbing opportunities on rock faces visible from camping areas. One camper at USFS Silver Fork Dispersed mentioned, "Spotted a rock climber on the nearby rock face when we arrived, who later came by to pick up his car he had parked there."
Backpacking to remote lakes: Loch Leven Lakes trail system offers overnight backpacking opportunities. "We backpacked up to the high loch levens lake where we found many available campsites... All the sites are very dispersed and you have so much privacy. We saw some people even camping on the boulders!" reports a backpacker.
What campers like
Solitude and privacy: Primitive camping near Pinecrest provides isolation from crowds. At Grouse Ridge, one camper noted, "This is as isolated as it gets. There are a number of pullouts and sites along the road up to Grouse Ridge CG - they're all excellent."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and streams support fishing. A camper at Bowman Lake Dispersed reported, "The lake is gorgeous, a great fishery."
Cell service in unexpected areas: Unlike many remote areas, some dispersed sites maintain connectivity. One Silver Fork camper mentioned, "At the above coordinates, there were 2 bars of low grade coverage allowing basic texts to send."
Winter camping experiences: Some sites remain accessible for cold-weather camping. A visitor to Mormon Emigrant Trail Dispersed Pull Off shared, "Large pull off area I found and stayed at for 4 days with amazing views of the sunset and sunrise!"
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Many sites require high-clearance vehicles. At Bowman Lake, a camper warns: "Do not attempt to do this in anything smaller than an SUV. Sedans would definitely not be able to make it to this site. Road has lots of holes and rocks sticking up out the ground."
Fire restrictions fluctuate: Seasonal fire bans affect multiple areas. A Silver Fork camper advises: "You are required to have a permit for any day/overnight use in Eldorado, including this area. They can be easily acquired at recreation.gov."
Winter access challenges: Snow blocks many sites until late spring. One Lake Valley Road camper cautions, "Got stuck for over a day trying to get to the site. Tow truck also got stuck. Would not recommend coming until spring."
Toilet facilities absent: Most dispersed camping locations lack restroom facilities. At Grouse Ridge, a visitor reports, "Don't expect water or cell reception or toilets. In this area, you're on your own."
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible sites: Some dispersed areas offer easier access for children. A camper at Loch Leven Lakes suggests, "I'd start early in the day to make sure you get good parking as this is a very popular trail, and so that you can get a good campsite and enjoy the lakes for as much time as possible."
Prepare for insects: Mosquitoes affect many sites during early summer. A Loch Leven camper advises, "I will say that there was a lot of mosquitoes. Even with bug spray I left with 7 bites."
Wildlife awareness: Bears frequent several camping areas. An Independence Hill camper reported, "I scared two black bears as I was walking. And yes, that's his footprint on my van door - he was checking out the bag of garbage I had stored on my roof."
Weather preparation: Even summer nights become cold at higher elevations. A Grouse Ridge camper noted, "In June, there was still mud, and it even snowed on me which was a thrill to wake up to a white wonderland."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs only. A camper at Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed warns, "Site looks beautiful but road turns from pavement to 4x4. Pulled over right after the pavement ended."
Level parking challenges: Finding flat areas for larger vehicles requires scouting. One Silver Fork camper advises, "We recommend taking some time to survey the land before setting up camp, as some spots are slightly sloped."
Self-contained requirements: No water or dump facilities exist at dispersed sites. A Union Valley camper notes, "We brought a privacy shelter and portable camp toilet, and our own water. Those are really the only things you need that would normally be provided by a paid campsite."
