Dispersed camping near Clovis, California provides access to elevated wilderness areas primarily in the Sierra and Sequoia National Forests. These free camping locations typically sit at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between day and night even during summer months. Many sites become inaccessible during winter due to snow, with most forest service roads open from May through October depending on weather conditions.
What to do
Wildlife observation opportunities: The Sierra National Forest area around Bald Mountain Lookout offers exceptional viewing points. A camper noted, "Plenty of places to disperse camp with awesome views of the lake," making it ideal for spotting deer, birds, and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
Explore OHV trails: Areas near Forest Road 14S11 North Camp provide extensive off-highway vehicle access. One reviewer mentioned, "Right off of the main road that goes throughout the whole park," making it convenient to venture onto forest roads with appropriate vehicles.
Visit historic landmarks: When staying at Cherry Gap OHV Staging Area, take a short walk to see the Chicago Stump. As one camper shared, "Also a quick walk to the Chicago Stump which is a must see." This historic remnant from the 1893 World's Fair provides an interesting glimpse into logging history.
What campers like
Proximity to national parks: Cherry Gap OHV Staging Area provides strategic positioning. A camper reported, "Super convenient free camping between Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. A park ranger directed me here when all the campgrounds in the park were full." This makes it an excellent backup option during peak periods.
Cell reception at select sites: Unlike many remote locations, the Sequoia Forest Hunting Area offers unexpected connectivity. A reviewer confirmed, "This spot is flat, large (fits 2 big rigs at least) and has T-mobile and Verizon reception," allowing campers to stay connected while in the wilderness.
Quiet seclusion: Forest Road 14S29 provides a more isolated experience. A camper described, "Quiet place on dirt, not really levelled but fine for a night and easily accessible with any car," making it suitable for those seeking a peaceful overnight stay away from crowds.
What you should know
Finding the correct locations: Several dispersed sites have confusing coordinates or unclear access points. For Yosemite "Boondock National," one camper clarified, "Follow signs to the Armenian Campground, the road is fully paved and the campground keeps snow off the entrance forest road in the winter."
Seasonal road limitations: Winter and spring conditions significantly restrict access. A review for Forest Rd 14S29 warned, "We were stoked to try and camp here, but ended up realizing it was closed due to ice for the winter upon arrival. No way to check until you get there, I guess!"
Variable space availability: Site capacity differs dramatically between locations. At Forest Rd 14S29, a camper noted, "There is space for maximum 4 small RVs. Large RVs should avoid this place!" while other areas can accommodate multiple vehicles of varying sizes.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife awareness preparation: When camping with children in areas like Goat Meadow, prepare for animal encounters. A visitor reported, "Coyotes and bears are active in the area—coyotes raided a bag I had hanging from a tree and stole my food!" Bring proper food storage containers and teach children wildlife safety protocols.
Plan for temperature fluctuations: Even in summer, nights get cold at these elevations. A camper at Road to Armenian Camp noted, "Heads up to warm afternoons as they get a lot of flies," indicating the need to pack for both warm days and cool nights.
Consider holiday crowds: Holiday weekends transform normally quiet areas. For the Goat Meadow area, a visitor warned, "Beautiful scenery, clean, close to Yosemite, and easy to reach," but another cautioned about holiday timing: "I will say if it's a holiday weekend and you leave camp headed into town be prepared for at least an hour in traffic due to backup from the park entrance."
Tips from RVers
Road width considerations: Many forest roads have challenging points for larger vehicles. At Road to Armenian Camp, a reviewer explained, "Curvy, narrow road. No great pull outs for larger vehicles," though they also mentioned seeing a semi navigate the area successfully.
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven terrain at most dispersed sites. A camper at FS Road 13s09 shared, "We used to chocks to level up as it's pretty uneven in parts. But a great nights sleep, we had the place to ourselves," highlighting the importance of bringing leveling equipment.
Check vehicle size restrictions: Not all "big-rig friendly" locations truly accommodate large RVs. One reviewer at Forest Road 14S11 reported, "This is a really nice area for camping on the side of the road here, but we only could've squeezed our 39ft Class A into maybe 2 of these spots," emphasizing the need to research actual accessibility.
