Primitive camping near Cerritos, California requires travel to surrounding national forest areas with elevations ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 feet. Most dispersed sites are concentrated within the San Bernardino National Forest and Angeles National Forest, requiring 40-90 minutes of driving from Cerritos. Forest service roads often become impassable during winter months due to snow at higher elevations.
What to do
Night photography sessions: Several dispersed sites along Angeles Crest Overlook to LA provide clear views of the Los Angeles basin lights. "The view is gorgeous in the morning sunrise!" reports camper Valerie, who notes the location serves as both an overnight spot and scenic viewpoint.
Early morning hiking: The East Fork Trail near dispersed camping areas provides access to the popular Bridge to Nowhere hike. According to Les R., "It could be an okay rest area at the beginning/end of the hike to Bridge to Nowhere."
Off-road exploration: The roads leading to Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites offer challenging terrain for 4x4 enthusiasts. Nathaniel C. confirms, "If you go the the end of 3N06 (main off-road path) there is a good hike that you can take for several hours."
What campers like
Quick access for overnight stops: Campers appreciate Rim of the World Byway Dispersed areas for their convenient location. Alexander B. shares, "We stayed here for two nights, and it was a pretty pleasant experience! There were some cars parked near the entrance, but if you go a bit further down alongside the road you can find some nice spots."
Weekday solitude: Less crowded conditions during weekdays make for better camping experiences at most sites. Jaydon C. notes about Angeles Crest Overlook, "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."
Urban proximity: The ability to camp while still being close to services appeals to many visitors. "Close to town so that is a plus," mentions Nicole D., who recommends the area "to smaller vans or car sleepers."
What you should know
Seasonal closures and restrictions: National Forest areas frequently change camping regulations. For example, at Heaton Flats, Les R. warns, "Camping outside established campgrounds within the Angeles National Forest is sometimes prohibited, you have to be on top of reading recently published orders."
Vehicle requirements: Many dispersed camping sites require appropriate vehicles for access. Joe R. explains about Stockton Flats, "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."
Limited services: Almost all primitive camping near Cerritos lacks basic amenities. Iris A. confirms, "There are no toilets, campfire sites or shade but good cell service" at the Angeles Crest Overlook areas.
Tips for camping with families
Look for sites with open spaces: When camping with children, prioritize locations with room to play. At Stockton Flats, Panda V. notes the "sites around has good shade and good size open spots."
Consider noise factors: Some sites experience significant traffic and noise, especially on weekends. Andrew S. points out that Angeles Crest Overlook is "literally just a roadside pull-off. Only really useful in a pinch. No space for a tent. Sleep in your vehicle."
Dog-friendly options: Hare School Park offers limited overnight parking with pet amenities. "There's a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them," says Rockstar C., adding "There's no public bathrooms, but there are trash cans so clean up after yourself please."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Large RVs face significant limitations at most dispersed sites. Gregg P. shares about Rim of the World Byway, "I wanted a place where I could let Bella off leach, so I put it in 4 wheel drive to pull my TAB trailer. Found a good spot. I can see other bigger rigs they did not require 4x4."
Navigation challenges: GPS directions to dispersed camping can be unreliable. Alexander B. advises, "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."
Turn radius considerations: Larger rigs need to carefully assess access roads. Joe R. explains his experience trying to reach 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."
