Best Dispersed Camping near Bridgeport, CA

Several dispersed camping opportunities exist near Bridgeport, California on public lands, particularly at Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed, Virginia Lake Road Boondocking, Buckeye Hot Springs, Bodie Roadside Camp, and Mill Creek National Forest. These primitive sites are predominantly located on Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands within the Eastern Sierra region. Camping is typically permitted along dirt access roads leading to the hot springs, on designated pull-offs, and in clearing areas. The most popular dispersed camping area is Travertine Hot Springs, located less than two miles from town, where campers can stay at established pull-offs before reaching the hot springs area itself.

Many access roads require careful navigation due to rough, washboarded conditions. Most sites are accessible with standard vehicles, though some areas like Virginia Lake Road may require higher clearance. Sites near Travertine Hot Springs can be reached with passenger cars, but driving slowly is recommended. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with several areas prohibiting campfires entirely, including Buckeye Hot Springs and Green Lake. Campers must pack out all waste as no services are provided at these primitive sites. A vault toilet is available at the Travertine Hot Springs parking area, but camping directly at the springs is prohibited by clearly marked signs.

The primary draw for backcountry campers is proximity to natural hot springs, with both Travertine and Buckeye offering soaking opportunities with mountain views. Sites generally provide excellent stargazing conditions and scenic vistas of the Eastern Sierra range. Most areas have cell reception, particularly for Verizon customers. Visitors should note these areas can become crowded, especially during weekends and summer months. "The area is dry and dusty and offers little to no relief from the heat of summer or the sharp winds of winter," noted one camper about Travertine. Another visitor shared practical advice: "Gas here in Bridgeport is very expensive, so fuel up before you get here."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Bridgeport, California (52)

    1. Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed

    23 Reviews
    Bridgeport, CA
    1 mile

    "The address on google maps however DOES NOT lead to the camping destination but we ended up running into a couple of ATV’ers that led us in the right direction."

    "Just pull onto one of the dirt roads on the left and find a spot! Any car or smaller RV could easily drive the road."

    2. Virginia Lake Rd. Boondocking

    6 Reviews
    Mono City, CA
    12 miles
    Website

    "Beautiful location and well secluded. Passed/saw only about 3 others during our one day stay here. Setup camp near the end of the road. A bit windy at night."

    "It was just so nice, I don’t know if it was dispersed camping cause the location takes you to Virginia creek and there is a long road with lots of space like it’s a legit campground but no one there to"

    3. Buckeye Hot Springs

    2 Reviews
    Bridgeport, CA
    5 miles
    +1 (760) 932-7070

    $24 / night

    "Gorgeous area and plenty of space to go around. The hot springs parking lot signs that say that there is camping at the day use area where this is marked."

    4. Green Lake test

    3 Reviews
    Mono City, CA
    12 miles

    "Ends at Green Lake with some phenomenal spots.

    Keep in mind, the lake is from snowmelt, so not particularly warm.

    Would get 5 stars if the bugs weren’t so bad."

    "I mean... all these little mammoth lakes are hidden gems but I loved my time hiking into green lake around thanksgiving time. A little more difficult to get to but worth it."

    5. Bodie Roadside Camp

    1 Review
    Bridgeport, CA
    6 miles

    "We stopped here because several other locations (that we found on this app) nearby were full or closed. It was nice and we had it to ourselves until about midnight when one other car showed up."

    6. Mill Creek National Forest

    5 Reviews
    Mono City, CA
    16 miles

    "This is a very cool spot the entrance is just south of Lundy Lake rd. on the 395, there's also a back way in on Lundy Lake rd. just past the first building."

    "nice shaded with creek sounds no restroom"

    7. Obsidian Creek on Little Walker Road

    2 Reviews
    Bridgeport, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 932-7070

    $18 / night

    "Close to fishing streams, high mountain lakes, hiking trails, off roading and don't forget that trip into Bridgeport and Bodie."

    "Easy access two miles off US 395 by gravel road.   It is know as an infrequently utilized destination.

    The trailhead for Molybdenite Creek is just past site 14. "

    8. Mono Lake South Dispersed

    16 Reviews
    Lee Vining, CA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 873-2400

    "All around Mono Lake is USFS and BLM land that is open for dispersed camping, as long as you stay above the 1941 water line (you will see signs marking this line, which is fairly close to the lake)."

    "The cab-over cantilever @front (facing east) also gave shade in the late afternoon heat! "

    9. Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site

    9 Reviews
    Lee Vining, CA
    25 miles
    Website

    "And an even better breeze at night. lots of bugs. bring bug spray. 4wd not required, but might help. High clearance will help."

    "Along a National Forest Service Road are 4-5 pullouts with great views of Mono Lake and the adjacent small crater.  You can walk up the crater or hike down to the South Tufa area.  "

    10. Leavitt Lake

    3 Reviews
    Bridgeport, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 932-7070

    "I have a truck. i got about a half mile in before the snow washed out the road. you can still hike in. high clearance and 4wd a must"

    "We visited Lake Levitte, back in June 2021. I would recommend a high clearance vehicle, ad there are some technical sections. If you watch your line, you can make it."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Bridgeport, CA

170 Reviews of 52 Bridgeport Campgrounds


  • Thomas K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2020

    Crab Cooker Hotsprings - Dispersed Camping

    Private hotspring with mountain views

    4x4 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.

  • Val C.
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Leavitt Lake

    Not Accessible by Car

    I have a truck. i got about a half mile in before the snow washed out the road. you can still hike in. high clearance and 4wd a must

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2021

    Sage Hen Dispersed

    Beautiful, near Mono Lake

    The dirt road into this spot off of Hwy 120 is washboarded but doable. This spot is at an intersection of forest service road 1S158A and Sage Hen Rd. There was still snow on the dirt road at this time of year (in mid April) so be aware,  and there are also low hanging branches that might make it tough for taller rigs. 

    This spot is a large flat area with zero amenities so bring water and pack in and pack out. 

    Good for a night or two if you want to hike or bike along the plethora of forest service roads. There were signs on the way in for both free range cattle and horses, but we didn't see any.

     Cell service with Verizon, weak but usable.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 9, 2021

    Mono Lake South Dispersed

    Beautiful view of Mono Lake

    All around Mono Lake is USFS and BLM land that is open for dispersed camping, as long as you stay above the 1941 water line (you will see signs marking this line, which is fairly close to the lake). Note there are multiple pull out areas and forest service roads to stay in along Hwy 120 east just be mindful that the entire area is sand, as some vehicles may get stuck.

    The road into these spots is quite sandy and narrow in some places, but we did fine in our 26' Class C. There is a very large previously burned area with charred remains of plants and trees but it made for some interesting eerie photos. Very quiet place with amazing views and stunning night sky. There are no amenities so bring water and pack in and pack out all trash. Nearby are various hikes and other roads to the range of craters in the area and the tufas along Mono Lake.

    We stayed there on a Monday night and did not see anybody else around, other than a truck that drove past our camp spot in the night.  Very quiet night.

    Good cell reception from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.

    Note that Google Maps said that Hwy 120 is closed Oct through May and would not direct us to this area via that road, but the road was open in April 2021, probably due to the mild winter.  Check Hwy 120 conditions for yourself because without it you miss out on so much beautiful area to explore.

  • Val C.
    Jul. 3, 2023

    Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site

    Epic

    Came 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.

  • Nora S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2020

    Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed

    Never seen anything like this before!

    So I was hesitant to write a review because I didn’t want this place to have any more visitors than it already does..! It was an amazing experience overall and we can’t wait to come back. The address on google maps however DOES NOT lead to the camping destination but we ended up running into a couple of ATV’ers that led us in the right direction. It’s actually off the highway before where the maps lead you and there is a sign that says Travertine Hot Springs. Having arrived at night, we were very glad to have met the locals that were helpful in showing us the way! So once you turn off the highway, you follow a dirt road that leads you straight to the springs. We ended up turning off and heading up a pretty rough road to find a spot on top of a canyon looking hill to camp. We were looking for seclusion and we definitely got it! The view was amazing from up top, and in the morning with a quick 5 minute drive we changed into our bathing suits and went for an early morning “nature hot tub swim”. The springs are hot but not boiling, and we spent an hour soaking there with absolutely no worries in the world. Definitely an amazing stay, and absolutely no hesitation to go back!

  • Dave V.
    Sep. 13, 2018

    Gladys Lake Backcountry, Ansel Adams Wilderness

    Breathtaking Beauty!

    RANGER 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.

  • S E.
    Jul. 13, 2021

    Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed

    Quiet & Secluded

    I loved camping here. There’s a few spots off the road that leads into the hot springs, before you hit the sign that says no camping. Just pull onto one of the dirt roads on the left and find a spot! Any car or smaller RV could easily drive the road.

    There was no one else there when I was camped there, and as a solo female traveler I felt extremely safe. It was quiet and secluded, beautiful, yet only 10 minutes off of 395, less than a mile from the hot spring, and I had full LTE cell reception (verizon).

    There are rock fire rings that previous campers have made if you’re going to be here when camp fires are allowed. There’s no other amenities such as picnic tables or a bathroom, water, or garbage collection - this is free dispersed camping, so be prepared to be self-sufficient: pack out what you bring in and leave no trace!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2023

    Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed

    Incredible location, amazing views, hot springs!!

    Road was accessible for us in a Toyota Tacoma, but a Camry also made it up. It was a little crowded in the area we stayed (with 4 other caravans and trailers), as the other dirt road giving access to different campsites was more for high clearance vehicles (very steep and uneven). Hot springs in walking distance. Incredible views of the mountains. We would definitely stay here again. No waste services or restrooms, but a vault toilet was available at the hot springs less than a mile away. Would visit again!


Guide to Bridgeport

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Bridgeport, California, where nature lovers can enjoy stunning landscapes and serene environments without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of options for those looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Bridgeport

Scenic Attractions for Dispersed Campers

  • Visit the picturesque Leavitt Lake, known for its stunning views and basic camping spots, making it an ideal location for photography and relaxation.
  • Hike to the serene Green Lake, a hidden gem that offers a peaceful retreat and beautiful scenery, perfect for a day of exploration.
  • Discover the unique landscapes at Obsidian Creek on Little Walker Road, where you can enjoy fishing, hiking, and the tranquility of nature.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Bridgeport, California

  • Always pack out what you pack in at Warren Fork Trailhead to help maintain the natural beauty of the area and ensure it remains pristine for future visitors.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities at Lake Helen Dispersed Campsites, as there are no toilets or trash services available, so plan accordingly.
  • Keep an eye out for wildlife and be cautious, especially in areas like Buckeye Hot Springs, where bears may be present; bringing bear spray is advisable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there free camping available near Bridgeport, California?

Yes, there's abundant free camping near Bridgeport. Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed offers several free sites with fire rings just outside the hot springs area. Standard dispersed camping rules apply - stay 14 days maximum and pack out all trash. For a different experience, try Sage Hen Dispersed off Highway 120, which features several established spots at a forest service road intersection. Be aware that some forest roads may have snow even in mid-April, and road conditions can be washboarded. Free camping is typically available from late spring through fall, depending on snow conditions and seasonal fire restrictions.

Where can I find dispersed camping near Bridgeport, CA?

Dispersed camping options abound near Bridgeport. Laurel Springs Campground offers dispersed sites along a narrow grassy path suitable for small vans and cars with some clearance, though not recommended for big rigs. There's a 14-day maximum stay with seasonal fire restrictions. Crab Cooker Hotsprings provides another option with about 8 back-in spots plus tent camping areas, accessible via a long dirt road requiring 4x4 or high clearance vehicles. The area offers stunning 360-degree views, though water flows only in winter months. Most dispersed sites have no facilities, so come prepared with water and waste disposal plans.

What BLM land is available for camping around Bridgeport?

BLM lands around Bridgeport offer excellent dispersed camping opportunities. Mono Lake South Dispersed is on USFS and BLM land surrounding Mono Lake, with multiple pullout areas and forest service roads along Highway 120 east. When camping here, stay above the marked 1941 water line. Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site is another BLM option that gets warm during summer days but offers nice breezes. While 4WD isn't strictly required for many BLM sites, high clearance vehicles are helpful for navigating the access roads. Remember BLM camping follows dispersed rules: no services, pack in/pack out, and typically 14-day stay limits.