If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Carmel Valley Village, look no further. Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Carmel Valley Village's most popular destinations.
Guide
Mid July - road was closed
Scout
Private property, you can't even go through the road
Guidegetting crowed and people leaving their garbage and poop (yes, human poop and TP). I've always loved Will Creek Road, I feel you can get free access to the greatest show on planet earth here…Both the sun set and the sun rise, but you got to get above the marine layer and get to the very top. If you dont want scratches and you are 7' wide or more…bring cutters. The land owners maintain the road themselves. I was last there in Feb 2022 and the switch backs were torn up and rutted; I bumped into an owner I've got to know over the years and he said they are tired of fixing them because people with small underpowered cars burnout digging ruts or some bozo purposely burns out not knowing that the land owners are the ones who have to maintain it all so we get to enjoy the camping. The road is very steep, you go from maybe 200' above sea leave to over 3000' if you go to the top. I've done this road in 4x4 truck(s) (supper easy), Jeep and Jeep Gladiator (easy freakin peasy), a Subaru Outback (easy) and a 4x4 MBZ Revel Van (supper freakin hard and stressful, was on two wheels more than once and sideways bottomed out twice in the switch backs. I wont do it again and I've been off-roading my whole life, unless the switch backs are fixed). When I say easy, this is assuming you have some off-road skill. Hope that help.
Guide
Every campsite within an hour range of Big Sur was full, and it was getting dark so we opted for this road. It is the only road where dispersed camping is allowed but beware: it is narrow, steep, unmaintained, and surrounded by cliffs. If you happen upon a pull out that is not occupied, does not have a private property sign, and is somewhat flat, then it works as a spot to sleep that feels like you’re on the edge of the world.
GuideGreat place amazing views
ScoutPractically camping on top of each other. Going up or down that road is only for 4x4 and keep an eye out for crazy drivers. One lane road in many spots. NO CAMPFIRES ALLOWED IN SUMMER. Check conditions.
ScoutWe stayed one night and were able to find spots with tree covers in case of wind. Lots of small bugs coming at us during sunlight but they went away after sundown.
GuideThis was a perfect campground for Big Sur, just past the Plaskett Creek campground which is expensive and requires reservations. I drove up the road for about 20 minutes and found a perfect pullout overlooking the ocean between two apple trees, blissful to say the least. I showed up around 5 pm and there were still a lot of sites open.
GuideAs soon as you turn onto this road there is a sign saying no camping next to road, plus I drove about 30 minutes back onto it and could only find one semi-feasible pullout. I went north just five minutes to Plaskett Ridge dispersed camping, that was much better.
TravelerAmazing location to wake up in the morning. View of the pacific ocean on one side and valley on the other. 4x4 vehicle needed. Fairly safe, clean, and not crowded. A great location for pro-overlanders and for testing 4x4 off-road driving skills.
GuideWe came here on a Sunday evening with the intent of getting out of the 35 knot coastal winds and decided upon making camp at a pullout under a tree about a mile from Highway 1. However, my Prius C made it two miles in before we chose to turn around. The road is pretty well maintained if bumpy at times but we just took it slow on the way up and down.
Highly recommend downloading offline maps before you lose signal around San Simeon (south hwy 1) and carmel (north hwy 1). My boyfriend has AT&T and I had T-Mobile and neither of us had signal.
It was dispersed camping and pullouts as far as we got up the road. We set up our tent next to the mighty Prius C and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset, stars, and some beautiful morning views. It was pretty windy at night but it calmed in the morning. We did not see a single soul on our way in but come Monday morning, three cars had drove past our site (I assume they made it much farther in).
GuideI’m surprised I haven’t known about this little gem that is only 2 hours away from me. Above the fog line and beautiful views!! I recommend four wheel drive to go to the place in the pictures above. But I did bring my all wheel drive Honda CR-V on the trail just didn’t text it going down the trail to the very end. So many trails to explore and spots to stay at. Just be sure to not go on private property trails and be respectful of others. It did get very windy during the night so recommend putting everything away during the evening. You can explore the different trails such as prewitt, coastal ridge road and nacimiento Ferguson from this road but to get back to highway one you have to go back the same way. All other trails are closed from highway 1 besides this one so far. My gps called this road los buros rd. Others gps may be different. I’ve been to this place three times now in less than a month. Absolutely one of my favorites. Soon going to explore coastal ridge road.
ScoutDefinitely a sketchy road. We drove 7 miles in in the middle of the night and had a blast. It gets really steep and sandy, I was in an HRV and made it. Though my car is super scratched up now.
Our site ended up beautiful. And we had a lot of fun. Barely anyone there.
Rangeryou’ll find the best spot inside the marine layer, this was the best. 4 wheel vehicle but honestly? honda fits we’re behind us.
GuideMy wife and I found this spot on our Honeymoon. Dispersed camping all along the trail, despite a sign saying no car camping. It was a 45 min (6 mile) trip up a dirt road but boy was it worth it. The trail continued toward a campsite, but we found a spot that we couldn’t pass up (see pics). We were above the marine layer and the stars were something else never seen before. Highly recommend. No campfires.
GuideNational forest is closed Gated off There is a sign there that states no car camping
GuideThis place was busy! Almost every pull off on the side of the road was taken but we were able to find a spot! Get here early for the best chance of finding a good spot.
LegendThis is a trail camp in the Ventana Wilderness along the Carmel River Trail. The trailhead and parking lot is at the Los Padres Dam. The trail is pretty easy to follow, but crosses the river/creek extremely frequently. I had to cross the river about 50 times in a weekend in an out & back trip.
This is backcountry backpacking, so:
So potable water - bring a filter
Pack in pack out trash
Fires may be restricted
No restrooms or other facilities
Lots of poison oak
Trail may be impassable at some points
I got in Friday afternoon so could only hike a few miles before dark. The Bluff camp was the first real trail camp along the trail, but there are several more further on
Here is the trail info:
http://www.ventanawild.org/trails/ventana-wilderness-trails/carmel-river-trail
Here is an interactive Map: http://bigsurtrailmap.net/interactivemap.html?latlon=36.0898,-121.5651&zoom=11&bkgmap=USGS+Quad+%2BWilderness&mode=trailmap&control=0
Legend
This was one of the most beautiful backpacking hikes I've ever done, but also one of the more challenging ones to do in one day.
Camping at the top was spectacular. The sunset was one of the best I have ever seen. There is an old outpost at the top that someone else was sleeping at to provide shelter for the wind (it was pretty vicious). The hike down was much, much easier.
Obviously this is back country camping, so
ScoutAbsolutely live this spot. If your cool with car camping and off roaring with no accommodations it’s a great spot with a great view.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Carmel Valley Village, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Carmel Valley Village, CA is Bluff Camp with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Carmel Valley Village, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Carmel Valley Village, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
