Badger is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Badger is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Badger, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
"Super convenient free camping between Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. A park ranger directed me here when all the campgrounds in the park were full."
"I visited both parks and needed a place to sleep in my car, I had seen this spot on this site before so I looked and found it, it’s a dirt road but my matrix did fine driving through."
"Nice big camp spot in the Sequoia National Forest, the road was really calm mid-April, we had no car during the night. The spot has firepits, a camping table and loads of bushes."
"Nice quiet spot right outside the park!"
"Usually when a dispersed site is marked Big Rig Friendly, we'll find that there is a large paved or gravel area for us to pull into and setup before you get to dirt road or off-road sites."
"I found a spot with good sun for my solar panels."
"We were lucky there was enough room to pass plus in the dark you can see what’s coming as other reviews mention, the road in is narrow in parts and around 1 mile before you get to the camp ground."
"Everything else was a little bit of a drive away
You have to get up a steep incline, right road off of the main road and the road is narrow. It was not our favorite part."
"Quiet place on dirt, not really levelled but fine for a night and easily accessible with any car."
"I’ve camped here for 14 days on two different occasions. It’s very private other than the manager for the Armenian Camp who comes up and down the road everyday, a few more campers on the weekend."
"Great variety of campsites with views of the mounatins and some sites well surrounded by trees. Large rocks provide cool comfy place to lay down."
"Great location in Joshua Tree but 20 minutes from west entrance. Large pull through sites semi-level. Clean restrooms with flush toilets and running water."
"Especially good if you're traveling with dogs to let them roam around. There's a stream and waterfall downhill that makes for great hikes."
LegendIndependence is on Hwy 395 about an hour south of Bishop and about half an hour north of Alabama Hills. Which is to say it's a great location with a lot of places to explore and hike.
This land is a good spot to stay for a few nights while exploring the area, or if you just need a free place to sleep. The spot we marked here is about 2 miles west of Independence, but there are a few other cleared out areas that you can camp on, just check Google satellite maps. We didn't see anyone else camping on the BLM land while we stayed here, but we saw a lot of people driving up and down Onion Valley Rd.
The area is clean and very quiet, zero shade and zero amenities. Please help keep it clean by packing out your trash.
Some of the dirt roads might need a high clearance vehicle but on the spot I've marked we made it fine in our 26ft motorhome.
GuideDespite mid week in May most “select” sites were taken. Many areas where you used to be able to camp have been signed “no camping.” VERY restrictive. That said, this place is special. Views are world class. Please be respectful and leave no trace so we can keep this gem open. We’ve been here several times and it never disappoints.
LegendThis camping area is at the end of dirt road Route 21S69, there is a sign for Dome Rock. It's very close to Ponderosa, a small town(?) with a general store and lodges, so that makes it super convenient if you need to buy some standard supplies.
At the end of the dirt road there is a parking area. You can camping anywhere in this area, no fee. Just make sure to apply for a fire permit ahead of time. There are NO facilities at this campground - no bathrooms or trash even. That said, it is a beautiful area, especially if you want to rock climb or hike with great views, including The Needles. Rock climbing info for the area can be found here.
Keep in mind that this location is at ~7,000ft elevation, so the temperatures will be cooler here, and you should plan accordingly.
ScoutThere are rocks blocking the turn off. If you still proceed the trail is completely washed out. No way to proceed with a trailer and you will ahem have to back down the road which is approximately zero fun.
LegendNot for big rigs! A very primitive but beautiful area. Tons of winding roads with lots of S curves Leading up to 9000 feet. Many great camping spots including close to Peppermint Creek. Completely dry area so no campfires until November. No services and no reception so pack it in and pack it out!
ScoutTried to stop on the way to Yosemite park. This pulls up to three closed gates that all look to be private properties
GuideCurvy, narrow road. No great pull outs for larger vehicles.
TravelerThis dispersed camping area is off the western divide. Recommend a truck if going in but have seen cars drive in. Can also hike in. Multiple areas to choose from if you want to camp. No water, toilets or trash. You need a fire permit for a propane stove, no fires. Pack out all trash. Dark at night. Trees for hammocks. Have yet to experience wild life there other than lizards and birds.
GuideThis is a really nice area for camping on the side of the road here, but we only could've squeezed our 39ft Class A into maybe 2 of these spots. Usually when a dispersed site is marked Big Rig Friendly, we'll find that there is a large paved or gravel area for us to pull into and setup before you get to dirt road or off-road sites. There is a large paved area at this location, but we received a warning citation the next day, stating that we weren't allowed to camp there. It's confusing because this is the exact same setup as any other "snow play" or "sno-park" areas that have allowed camping in the gravel or paved areas area.
The paved area does have a couple of small stakes that say "no camping", but in our past dispersed camping experiences, those were used to mark areas where tents and vehicles couldn't pull off-road to camp. Apparently those stakes refer to the paved area in this case? There wasn't any reasoning provided on our citation, other than "find another area to camp."
Dispersed camping near Badger, California, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning views and a variety of locations, it's perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Badger, CA is Cherry Gap OHV Staging Area with a 3.8-star rating from 10 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 42 dispersed camping locations near Badger, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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