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Dispersed camping near Bass Lake, California offers several free primitive sites on public lands. Goat Meadow Dispersed Camp Site provides accessible camping close to Yosemite's south entrance, with multiple sites suitable for both tents and RVs. According to reviews, "the area is flat and any car, truck or RV/trailer can make it back easily," though some dirt roads require careful navigation. Yosemite "Boondock National" Dispersed Camping along Mount Raymond Road features well-spaced sites with natural privacy barriers.
No amenities exist at these dispersed sites. Campers must bring all necessary water, as no potable sources are available. Pack out all trash and waste. Cell service varies significantly by location and carrier. Several campers noted that while Goat Meadow offers "plenty of firewood," current fire restrictions must be verified with Sierra National Forest before any campfire is built. A valid California Campfire Permit is required for any stove or fire use.
Road conditions to dispersed sites vary seasonally. High clearance vehicles are recommended for many access roads, particularly after rain or snow melt. The Forest Service maintains information boards at major entry points with road condition updates. Summer temperatures at Bass Lake can exceed 90°F, while winter brings snow at higher elevations, potentially limiting access. Wildlife encounters are common; proper food storage is essential to prevent attracting bears. The standard dispersed camping stay limit is 14 days within a 30-day period on National Forest land.
"Excellent spot 7 min from the Yosemite South Wawona Entrance. Im staying at a dispersed camping spot in late July and there is level, paved parking with tent camping spots."
"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."
"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."
"GPS will take you straight to Goat meadow snow play area (look for signs too). Once you reach the area hang right to the dirt road and pick a spot!"
"Access road isn’t bad and it’s close to the park."
"I stayed to car camp and had an overall nice time. There was a good amount of ice but with 4x4 not problem. The ice was melting so if you go anytime after the snow should be a lot less."
"If you enter from the Tamarack trail head and go down Rock Creek Rd its easy to get to the overlook tower."
"The landscape is rocky so you will need to be careful when setting up your tents and also be aware of any fire dangers or restrictions in the area."
"Booked a last minute permit for the Pohono trail on a recent trip and had Dewey Point as one of my camp sites! Beautiful views of el cap and the valley made for an iconic back country spot !"
from $5 - $10 / night
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Guide4x4 or high clearance coming in. Long dirt road with dips and rocks. Water only flowing in winter months. Lots of tent camping spots along with 8 back in spots. Really amazing views 360 degrees. No service with Verizon.
GuideCame up here in July. It gets warm during the day, but there is a good breeze during the day. And an even better breeze at night. lots of bugs. bring bug spray. 4wd not required, but might help. High clearance will help.
LegendRANGER 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.
TravelerSeveral spots available along the forest service road, even arriving after 7pm. Some spots are spacious, others only fit something small like a camper van (what we got). Came here after our first attempted location farther east on highway 120 ended up having A LOT of bees and flies. Location is up on a little ridge that offers views of the lake to the north and mountains to the south. Great for a one night pit stop. Probably gets really windy on some evenings, and there is nothing around for wind protection.
GuideExcellent spot 7 min from the Yosemite South Wawona Entrance. Im staying at a dispersed camping spot in late July and there is level, paved parking with tent camping spots. Thankful they had porti-pottys (due to an event, not normal) and bear-proof trash receptacles as bears did visit while camping here! No water access, however you can fill up bottles from the drinking fountains at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Center right past the park entrance. ENJOY!
GuideWhat 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!
LegendThere are a ton of spots to camp along Owens River Rd. All the spots closest to 395 were taken when we went in late September, but we found this spot that I've marked here that was easily accessible in our 26ft Motorhome. Owens River Rd itself is paved, but the offshoots are hit or miss so take it slowly and proceed at your vehicle's ability.
This particular spot was nice and big and is probably suitable for any size rig. The pavement on the road heading in was partly washed out but we were easily able to drive around the pits. See video - it's long but I recorded us leaving the spot and showed the pits in the road.
Good cell reception, very quiet, very little traffic.
No amenities, no toilets, no trash service. Area was clean! Hopefully it stays that way.
TravelerRed 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!
ScoutI’ve stayed here many times in the last 10 years, and it has always been easy to find a spot, not too close to people, relatively easy for most vehicles on most dirt roads. This last weekend (4th of July), this place attracted every trashy person who rides dirt bikes, side by sides, quads, etc. We picked a spot that was not too close to anyone, but one large group played Mexican music until 4am and road their off road vehicles with loud music all around our camp spot, making loud noise and kicking up dirt, until well past the time we went to bed. This area was full of this riff raff, not just this one group. Sadly, I think this area has gone downhill and will probably continue to get worse. These people had no respect for others, and while I don’t mind off road vehicles, there needs to be some quiet hours and respect of other camping who are in mammoth for mountain biking, paddle boarding, etc. I will never stay anywhere on this road again, as there are far too many other free options in Mammoth. Really disappointed that people are so selfish and lack any concern for others on public lands. If they want to go clubbing, they should go back home to their trashy places. These mountains are too beautiful for trashy people like that.
Dispersed camping near Bass Lake, California is situated in the Sierra National Forest at elevations ranging from 3,400 to 5,200 feet. The terrain varies from flat meadows to steeper forested areas, creating diverse microclimates throughout the region. Weather patterns shift dramatically with elevation, with summer daytime temperatures reaching 85-90°F while dropping to 50-60°F overnight, requiring campers to pack appropriate layers for temperature fluctuations.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forested areas surrounding Bass Lake host deer, raccoons, and various bird species. Campers at Hardin Flat Road should be alert, as one visitor noted, "Lots of ticks! be prepared. other than that, our camp was wonderful."
Stargazing after dark: Clear mountain skies provide excellent night viewing conditions when away from campfires. A camper at Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site shared, "Beautiful scenery, clean, close to Yosemite, and easy to reach."
Winter snow play: During colder months, higher elevation sites transform into snow recreation areas. According to a visitor at Goat Meadow, "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."
Forest seclusion: The pine and cedar forests create natural barriers between sites. A camper at Yosemite "Boondock National" Dispersed Camping mentioned, "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."
Proximity to attractions: Multiple sites offer quick access to Yosemite and Bass Lake. A review for Hardin Flat Road states, "~8min drive to Big Oak Entrance and ~40min drive to Yosemite Valley Welcome Center. Why stay at Hodgdon when you can stay here!"
Level camping areas: Many areas feature flat terrain suitable for tents and vehicles. According to a Goat Meadow camper, "Plenty of space for all vehicle sizes. Roads are very accessible. Nice and wooded."
Seasonal crowds: During holidays and summer weekends, the most accessible sites fill quickly. A camper at Hardin Flat Road observed, "Overall solid, but the best spots will be taken early. I ended up down a paved road on the side, but one that was closed a mile further up."
Navigation challenges: Some access roads lack clear markings. A visitor reported, "Spots are a little confusing as there's no direct road through the sites, but you'll find a spot."
Wildlife protection: Bears and other wildlife actively search for food. One Goat Meadow camper warned, "Coyotes and bears are active in the area - coyotes raided a bag I had hanging from a tree and stole my food!"
Cell service variability: Coverage strength depends on specific location and carrier. A Goat Meadow visitor noted, "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. Had great cell service through Verizon."
Pack extra bug protection: Insects can be persistent in warmer months. One camper at Bald Mountain Lookout shared, "Plenty of places to disperse camp with awesome views of the lake."
Arrive mid-week when possible: For quieter primitive camping near Bass Lake, avoid weekends during peak season. A visitor to Goat Meadow observed, "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."
Plan for temperature swings: Sierra nights can drop 30+ degrees from daytime highs. At higher elevations like Goat Meadow, a camper reported, "Gets a little cold at night (April) but not unbearable by any means."
Road condition assessment: Some access roads have deteriorated sections requiring caution. A visitor to Dewey Point Backcountry Site mentioned, "Bumpy roads around the actual camping area but manageable in a camper van. Actually saw a few big rigs here too."
Parking orientation: Position larger vehicles strategically for easier departure. One RVer at Hardin Flat Road advised, "I am parked across from a private drive so I can turn around with my RV if needed."
Site selection considerations: RVers should scout locations for overhanging branches and ground clearance. A visitor to Yosemite Boondock National noted, "If you travel beyond the coordinates towards the South Park Entrance and pass the Springdale Campground on your left, you will see a sign shortly afterwards that says SnowPlay area 1/2 mile and that's where you will turn onto Mount Raymond Road, which takes you to the dispersed camping about 5 minutes from the park entrance."
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permits for dispersed camping at Bass Lake?
Yes, permits are typically required for dispersed camping near Bass Lake. At Gladys Lake Backcountry, Ansel Adams Wilderness, wilderness permits are necessary for overnight stays. Laurel Springs Campground and other dispersed sites in the area enforce a 14-day maximum stay limit. During fire season, campfire permits are mandatory if fires are allowed at all. Many dispersed areas implement seasonal fire restrictions, especially in summer months. Check with the Sierra National Forest office before your trip as regulations can change. You may need to obtain permits in advance, particularly during peak season when quotas may be in effect.
Where can I find dispersed camping areas near Bass Lake?
Several dispersed camping options exist near Bass Lake. Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site offers accessible camping close to Bass Lake. For those willing to venture slightly further, Yosemite "Boondock National" Dispersed Camping provides camping spots nestled amongst trees near Yosemite's boundary. While access roads to dispersed sites can be bumpy, most are manageable even in camper vans. Look for established pullouts and cleared areas, being mindful that some forest roads require high clearance vehicles. Always check current forest service regulations before heading out, as available areas may change seasonally based on fire restrictions or other closures.
What facilities or amenities are available at Bass Lake dispersed camping sites?
Dispersed camping sites near Bass Lake offer very minimal facilities. At Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site, you'll find scenic pullouts with views but no developed amenities. Similarly, Owens River Road Dispersed provides multiple camping opportunities without facilities. Most dispersed sites have no bathrooms, potable water, electricity, or established fire rings. Cell service varies dramatically by location and provider, with many areas having no coverage. You'll need to pack in all necessary supplies, including water, and pack out all waste. These sites are truly primitive, offering the bare essentials of a place to camp with the responsibility of leave-no-trace camping firmly on visitors.
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