Best Dispersed Camping near Anza, CA
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Best Dispersed Sites Near Anza, CA (35)
1. Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Julian, California31 Reviews•112 Photos•1009 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
2. South Ridge Yellow Post Sites
Idyllwild, California2 Reviews•7 Photos•57 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
3. Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping
Joshua Tree, California33 Reviews•60 Photos•617 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
4. Strawberry Junction — Mount San Jacinto State Park
Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California1 Review•2 Photos•109 Saves- Reservable
- Dispersed
$5 / night
5. Mecca Hills Wilderness
Mecca, California8 Reviews•17 Photos•271 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Toilets
- Alcohol
6. San Gorgonio Summit Camp
Forest Falls, California5 Reviews•55 Photos•171 SavesLimited, but free wilderness permits for day hiking and overnight camping are required for the San Gorgonio Wilderness and the Cucamonga Wilderness Permits – they are issued by the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association, a Forest Service partner. Parts of the San Gorgonio Wilderness, including the San Bernardino Peak Trail, are still closed due to the El Dorado fire.
Upon completion of your reservation request. you will receive a download. Please retain this download as your permit reservation. You may keep a copy on your phone and show it to a ranger as verification of your permit or you can print it out. If you do not receive a permit use the contact link here: https://www.sgwa.org/contact-us
The Vivian Creek Trail is the shortest and the steepest route to the summit of Mt. San Gorgonio, located in the San Gorgonio Wilderness on the Sand to Snow National Monument. One and two-tenths miles from the trailhead is Vivian Creek Camp (7,100'). Campsites are located upslope to the right of the trail after reaching the stream: one is halfway up the slope, and the other is at the top of the slope (no camping within 200 feet of the trail or creek). One and three-tenths miles from Vivian Creek Camp is Halfway Camp (8,100'). Water is obtained from the creek 200 yards before camp. Two and three-tenths miles further is High Creek Camp (water available - 9,200'). The summit of San Gorgonio (11,499') is 3 miles beyond High Creek. The upper end of this trail offers outstanding views of Yucaipa Ridge and Galena Peak, as well as sweeping panoramic views from the top of Mt. San Gorgonio. General info: No water available. No campfires allowed. Portable gas stoves are allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit. No camping within 200 feet of the trail or creek Wilderness Permit Required - this is a very popular trail, especially on summer weekends. It is suggested you request your permit in advance. Wilderness Permit applications are accepted up to 90 days in advance of your trip. Permits can be obtained from sgwa.org. Fee: Adventure Pass Required $5/day or $30/year. Interagency Passes also accepted.
- Pets
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
7. East Flats
San Bernardino National Forest, California8 Reviews•32 Photos•256 Saves- Pets
- Dispersed
- WiFi
- Alcohol
8. Joshua Tree North BLM
Joshua Tree, California16 Reviews•36 Photos•153 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
9. Peg Leg Dispersed
Borrego Springs, California1 Review•7 Photos•38 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
10. Box Canyon Dispersed
Mecca, California5 Reviews•18 Photos•204 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
Showing results 1-10 of 35 campgrounds
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Anza
139 Reviews of 35 Anza Campgrounds
- T
Tony B.
Traveler
South Ridge Yellow Post Sites
Awesome dispersed site with amazing views
Very nice to find a campsite this private on a weekend in southern California elevation is high enough that temperatures were very enjoyable (mid 80's)
Gabriel S.
Scout
Pine Creek Road Camp
Nice quick and easy getaway
Quite easy to get to. I drive an Acura RDX and had no problems (I actually had a lot of fun driving the road).
There were way more flies than we were expecting. Prepare to get swarmed. Luckily just gnats and no mosquitoes from what we experienced.
We applied for a permit on Friday and did not get it by Saturday when we departed. Luckily, no rangers patrolled during our stay.
Some spots with good shade.
- ddavidTraveler
Pine Creek Road Camp
Peaceful and secluded
A great spot if you want to get away and enjoy some alone time. It’s a little warm in the day in august this time of year so you can’t hike around or explore too much. My girlfriend and I stopped in Julian on our way out to get a late lunch and then head to the campsite. The road is paved until you turn off Lone Creek Road and then it is a dirt road. I have a stock Rav4 and it was able to drive on it although there are a few spots you need to be careful at so you don’t scrape the bottom of your car. We only spent one night but we never saw another person during our stay
Rose D.Traveler
Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Quiet
Peaceful dispersed campground. Wide open great views. Didn’t even know I had neighbors until I walked around in the morning and saw neighboring campers over the hill. Clear skies when I went back in November, could get pretty windy. Saw some coyotes pass by my camp.
Ciara W.
Guide
East Flats
Wildlife but super dusty!
Starlink internet here was great and we stayed 2 days to work here. Saw multiple deer walking by our site.
Easy to drag in dust and very annoying. We easily found a spot for our van.
- SSamay C.Traveler
East Flats
Great secluded location
First time car camping. Solo trip with my fur babies. Trails a little rough but good thing I have X-Mode on my Subaru. Lol. Arrived around 5:30pm on a Wednesday. Drove past a few campers. A few with big RV’s. Closest camper is about 30 yards away. Could barely hear their generator running. Planned on staying a few nights but after the first night I was told there was a big archery event and that the whole campground was reserved so I had to pack up and leave.
- DDee M.Traveler
Mill Creek Dispersed Camping
Over a dozen sites
There are lots of sites on this road. The closer you are to the road the more dust will get in your site from the vehicles passing. The road here. I went a to the second fork after the Bluff lake fork. There’s a private campground near the Bluff Lake entrance which made noises i can hear from my site which was before Bluffs lake fork. There are over a dozen sites along the main road. If you can pull in, it’s a site. Some better than others and spaced out so you may not see your neighbors from your site. 2x4 accessible as long as it’s not muddy or after snow. I saw a Prius on the trail.
Connor M.GuideMill Creek Dispersed Camping
Plenty of Spots
Overall great campground, there are definitely some permanent residents but there is more than enough spots to have some privacy.
Kique S.TravelerSouth Ridge Yellow Post Sites
Great spot!
This is a great area. I recommend you bring extra mosquito repellent. Have fun!
- CChandra B.Guide
East Flats
Quiet & Fresh Air
We are here RN! It is so peaceful and the air is so fresh! Pines, and clear blue skies! What more can you ask for a few hours away from LA proper…
Dickie Simmons S.TravelerMill Creek Dispersed Camping
Convenient free camping just outside of town
Great free camping when campgrounds are booked. Easy to navigate with GPS. Many large and small sites along the road. Some spots more secluded than others. Smaller rigs, medium clearance and lite off-road capabilities recommended. Good cellular reception in my particular location.
Francisco F.TravelerMill Creek Dispersed Camping
Beautiful Spot For 4x4, But NOT For RVs
My husband and I were looking for good boondocking spots yesterday and we decided to check out this spot, after finding it on The Dyrt and a few other sites. It's definitely a beautiful place, and most of the road to the site is paved, but the road up to the actual spot is gravel, with lots of potholes and washboard areas, which would make it difficult for an RV. But the biggest issue for RVs is an area of the road that is very steep and immediately turns into a hairpin turn that we didn't even want to try in our 4x4, since the road is very thin and our SUV (a 2009 Nissan Pathfinder) is kind of thick. I'm sure it's probably nothing for people who are used to using their 4x4 for more than regular driving in the snow, etc., but it was too dodgy for us. There is no way that even a Class C rig would be able to take that steep incline and immediately do that sharp turn. And since there's nowhere to turn around in that spot, you'd have to back your rig down the incline and then quite a ways down the pitted, gravel road to get out of it.
It's full of trees and seems fairly remote, but we had 5 cars pass us as we were backing away from the incline, so it's obviously a busy spot - you wouldn't be there alone, and this was on a Thursday.
Alexis O.TravelerEast Flats
great spacious area
loved this spot. easy to find & very lowkey, with ample spaces to choose from. no amenities & great cell service.
- RRaymond M.Scout
East Flats
Nice lake!
No amenities but still nice and the price is right!
Carter M.ScoutBlair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Beautiful area but lots of bugs
Here in late May and the bees and other bugs have been nonstop on me the whole time I've been here. It's a really beautiful area and the spots are spacious
- NNani D.Scout
Pine Creek Road Camp
Dispersed Camping
This was a last minute Memorial Day weekend trip with my boyfriend and 2 dogs. Friday sent an email to SM.FS.DescansoRD@usda.gov requesting the free permit (after doing research and finding out you need one), filled out the form, and got it back in the same day. Easy to get there, easy directions once there just make you pass the sign that says leaving the recreation area after that you can find any spot and camp. It was a little bumpy but nothing too bad. Drove with my jeep renegade that isn’t a 4wheel drive. A little busy due to the holiday but not too bad. Cyclist riding by, vehicles, and hikers. Which was nice saying hi. Hardly any service for my carrier which is T-Mobile. Definitely will camp out here again.
- MMo H.Traveler
Painted Canyon
Amazing stars
Absolutely quiet and an amazing starry sky
Ideal for tents
- DDaniel H.Traveler
Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping
GOOD ENOUGH
The area was easy to navigate; even when we pulled in late at night. There were a lot of people coming in and out as well. I wouldn’t recommend if you’re looking for privacy. Aside from that, I would camp if you’re looking for something easy, safe, and accessible.
- JJin S.Scout
Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping
Some areas are private land
Nice area but we were told that some areas have now become private land, so that’s something to watch out for.
Anne M.ScoutBlair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Great weeknight spot
Visited early May. Arrived right before sunset, there were people close to the bathrooms, but lots of space to spread out if you drive a little.
Heather K.
RangerBlair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Great spot for a night or two
Tons of dispersed spots down the road.
- Dickie Simmons S.Traveler
Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Great off grid camping w/ easy access
Easy access to most designated campsites. Enjoy the changing colors at dusk. My area had 2 bars of verizion service.
- JJoe C.Scout
Box Canyon Dispersed
Sweet spot
Pretty sandy - would recommend 4wd but i suspect you could get in without. got my jeep deep into the canyon between coachella weekends and was the only person there.
Rainer R.Scout
North Joshua Tree
Nice stay, plenty of space
We arrived early in the afternoon around 4:30 pm and found a vast, open place witziges only few, dispersed campers. Access was easy, Solid ground . Only the partly littered areas prevent us from giving 5 stars.
- AAbe C.Guide
Yaqui Wash
If you just want to get outdoors...
There are a bunch of campsites along a service road that is parallel to a main road, several hundred feet away. This whole area is essentially within one valley, so you have mountains on both sides. It is well vegetated and allows for fairly easy hikes up the soft slopes.
The parking spots are right alongside the road, so for van camping is not so great, but tents can be put away from the road and therefore it's much more suitable for tenting.
The stretch of dirt road closest to the main road is Sandy, but manageable bull in a two wheel drive. This is where most of the campsites are. Further along the road, there are fewer camp sites, so they are more dispersed, however the road becomes more rocky and jutted, but for those wanting a bit more privacy, this is the spot to be.
I would like to come back in camp in this location. So i'm going to mark it to return another time.
- AAbe C.Guide
Yaqui Pass Camp
Easy stop if you need, otherwise keep driving
Drove in..., drove out. As another review noted, it's a big parking lot. Fine if you just need a place to pull over, nothing of value there..., maybe proximity to a hiking trail.
Emmi O.GuideJoshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping
Ok for one night stay
We arrived late in the evening and spent one night there. There was couple of other campers too, so we felt safe. No trash but smelled like urine. Cell service was okay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Anza, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Anza, CA is Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Anza, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 35 dispersed camping locations near Anza, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.