Best Dispersed Camping near Beverly Hills, CA
Angeles National Forest offers dispersed camping opportunities within a 30-60 minute drive from Beverly Hills. Primary options include Angeles Crest Overlook, which functions as an informal overnight parking area rather than a traditional campsite, and Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites, located deeper in the forest. Additional primitive sites can be found at Heaton Flats and Big Cone Camp in Santa Paula Canyon, though these require hiking to access.
Vehicle access varies significantly between locations. Angeles Crest Overlook consists of roadside pullouts along Angeles Crest Highway with no amenities, no restrooms, and no water sources. Reviews indicate this area serves more as an emergency stopover than a proper camping destination. Stockton Flats requires four-wheel drive and high-clearance vehicles to navigate unpaved forest roads. Fire restrictions apply seasonally throughout the forest, with complete bans common during high fire danger periods. Most locations lack basic facilities, requiring visitors to pack out all waste and bring sufficient water.
These primitive sites present distinct challenges and experiences. Angeles Crest Overlook provides panoramic views of Los Angeles but experiences frequent nighttime traffic and activity. "It is not a real campground, just the parking area of a viewpoint. In the evening lots of couples and teenagers came and the parking area was well used," noted one visitor. Another mentioned, "It's basically car camping along Angeles Crest highway... kids do tend to party up here and drive about 100 miles an hour up and down the road." Stockton Flats offers more traditional dispersed camping further from urban areas, with one camper reporting it as "a great spot for a disconnected weekend." Primitive hiking-access sites like Big Cone Camp provide greater seclusion but require carrying in all supplies.
