Dispersed camping near Angels, California offers primitive sites across elevations ranging from 2,000 to 7,500 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The area experiences significant seasonal variations, with snow at higher elevations during winter months and temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F in summer at lower elevations. Most sites require visitors to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste, as the majority have no services.
What to do
Hiking options: Along the Mormon Emigrant Trail Dispersed Pull Off, visitors can explore numerous hiking paths through burn recovery areas. One camper noted, "Large pull off area I found and stayed at for 4 days with amazing views of the sunset and sunrise!" with "lots of room to hike around."
Mountain biking: Bear Valley Dispersed Camping provides access to mountain biking trails. A camper mentioned the "location was near trails to rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking" and another noted there are "lots of trails to ride your bike and walk."
Stargazing: The higher elevation sites offer exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. At Bear Valley, one visitor reported it was a "perfect spot for star gazing" and they "were the only ones!" Another mentioned "the night views are amazing!"
OHV trails: Multiple off-highway vehicle routes exist near Iron MT. Dispersed camping areas. One camper commented, "There are also many OHV trails close by" while exploring the former ski resort area.
What campers like
Close Yosemite access: Evergreen Rd Dispersed camping provides convenient access to Yosemite National Park. Campers appreciate that it's "within 10 minutes of one Yosemite's entrance" and "took us about 9 min to get to the park entrance."
Privacy between sites: At Hardin Flat Road, campers enjoy the separation between camping areas. One review mentioned, "This was a 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."
Elevated views: The higher-altitude rustic camping spots near Angels offer expansive vistas. A camper at Iron Mountain noted "The view from this area is spectacular. Beautiful sunsets too" and "The ground is very flat and many areas are paved with gravel. At 7500 feet above sea level, the view is wide."
Cell service: Connectivity varies across dispersed sites, but certain areas maintain surprising coverage. At Top of Arnold, visitors report "2 bars LTE of Verizon" and another mentioned "Verizon works. There is sun for solar panels and enough shade to be fine mostly."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping sites require vehicles with appropriate clearance. At Van Haven Dispersed Site Yosemite, one camper warned the road "becomes increasingly rough and eroded, with deep ruts and drainages. 4WD or AWD is necessary."
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations vary by location and season. A camper at Hardin Flat Road noted, "I believe fires are allowed as long as you have a permit" while others reported complete bans during dry periods.
Dust issues: Many sites have loose soil that can create dusty conditions. A camper at Top of Arnold mentioned, "Only downside is the ground is basically dust dirt. My dogs love it, my bedding doesn't!"
Wildlife concerns: Prepare for encounters with local wildlife. At Hardin Flat Road, one camper warned, "Lots of ticks! be prepared" while recommending protective measures.
Tips for camping with families
Accessibility planning: When traveling with children, carefully consider site access. One visitor to Evergreen Rd advised, "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."
Proximity to amenities: Some sites offer nearby necessities for family convenience. At Silver Fork River Camping, campers found established areas with "paths down to the water with a little beach" though "when we were there in early June the water was still very cold."
Space considerations: Groups need adequate room to spread out. A camper at Silver Fork noted, "Each site is large enough for 3 campers to fit. Stone fire pits had already been established as well."
Arrival timing: With children, timing arrival appropriately makes setup easier. At Evergreen Rd, one camper advised, "We got in a lil late and was a little tricky finding a spot. But once we did, it was perfect... We'll just make sure we get there earlier."
Tips from RVers
Vehicle clearance needs: Forest Route 4N39 Dispersed presents challenges for larger vehicles. A camper observed, "You don't need 4x4 but you definitely will need a vehicle with some decent clearance. There are some weirdly purposefully placed speed bumps on the west end of the road."
Finding level spots: Securing level parking matters for RV comfort. At Mormon Emigrant Trail, a visitor noted there are "a couple of level spots" while Iron Mountain offers terrain that is "very flat and many areas are paved with gravel."
Site accessibility: Some areas accommodate different RV sizes. At Silver Fork River, a camper reported, "We got our group to the second site and that included a van camper that was 2wd so it's easy to get to the first two sites."
