Primitive camping near Buena Park, California requires traveling to Angeles National Forest or San Bernardino National Forest, with most sites situated at elevations between 3,000-5,000 feet. Summer temperatures in these areas average 10-15 degrees cooler than Buena Park, while winter camping often encounters below-freezing nights. Forest Service roads accessing these sites frequently close during winter storms or high fire danger periods.
What to do
Hiking from camp sites: Heaton Flats offers direct trail access to the popular Bridge to Nowhere hike, though recent Forest Service restrictions may apply. According to Les R., "Camping outside established campgrounds within the Angeles National Forest is sometimes prohibited, you have to be on top of reading recently published orders on the Forest Service website."
Off-road adventures: Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites provides both camping and off-roading opportunities. Panda V. notes, "Trail was fun (definitely needed 4x4) and the sites around has good shade and good size open spots. Best to get there early as possible to secure a spot."
Stargazing opportunities: The Angeles Crest Overlook offers unobstructed night sky viewing away from immediate city light pollution. Jaydon C. shared, "When I stayed, there were no other people who stayed the night, but quite a few people came throughout the night just for 20 minutes at a time or so. Wasn't too noisy at all."
What campers like
Quick access from interstate: Rim of the World Byway provides convenient dispersed camping within minutes of Interstate 15. Alexander B. explains, "Use Google Maps; Waze takes you the wrong way, cause it's just right off the freeway, not down a long, very bumpy dirt road."
Privacy in forest settings: The further sites at Stockton Flats offer seclusion among pine trees. Nathaniel C. mentions, "Deep in nature, beautiful area, no cost and you can almost always find a spot, even on a Saturday in summer."
Morning panoramas: Angeles Crest viewpoints reward early risers with exceptional sunrises over the basin. Valerie reports, "The view is gorgeous in the morning sunrise! I'd use it again if I needed it as it's hard to find free places to sleep with a great view like that when traveling through cities."
What you should know
Vehicle requirements crucial: Many sites require appropriate vehicles for access. At Stockton Flats, Joe R. cautions, "The turn is not marked well, in fact the coordinates are a little bit off. If you miss the turn like we did you have to go 5 miles or more to get a turnabout big enough to turn around."
Forest Service closures: Trails and camping areas frequently close with minimal notice. Romi E. reports about Stockton Flats: "The trail was closed as of May 7, 2023, No idea when it will be open."
Variable safety conditions: Some roadside areas experience problematic nighttime activity. Joseph R. warns about Angeles Crest Overlook: "There's a white van that teams up with a black truck they tried to break in my car while I was sleeping. It is very dangerous and luckily I carry at all times and have cameras."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options: Angeles Crest Overlook has nearby hiking trails suitable for pets. Nicole D. suggests, "If you have dogs I would recommend the trail pull off my dogs really enjoyed the hike."
Avoid roadside areas on weekends: Weekend traffic patterns create safety concerns for families with children. Andrew S. notes about Angeles Crest, "This is literally just a roadside pull-off. Only really useful in a pinch. No space for a tent. Sleep in your vehicle."
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies dramatically by location. Iris A. observed at Angeles Crest Overlook, "There are no toilets, campfire sites or shade but good cell service," while Jaydon C. found, "Unfortunately I didn't have any service (Visible/Verizon), so that was a little scary."
Tips from RVers
Urban camping alternatives: Hare School Park offers unofficial overnight parking for self-contained RVs near city amenities. Julia G. confirms, "You can overnight park here with your RV without problems."
Size limitations critical: Large rigs face significant challenges at most dispersed sites. Joe R. shares about Stockton Flats, "We decided not to go to the site because it looked like a one lane road and too tight for our 35 ft bumper pull. Disappointed because pictures from others looked great."
Parking lot considerations: Some listed sites are simply parking areas rather than traditional camping. Rockstar C. describes Hare School Park: "I'm in a 25 foot Fleetwood RV. There's a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them. There's no public bathrooms, but there are trash cans so clean up after yourself please. It's not tent friendly."
