Best Dispersed Camping near Downieville, CA

Looking for the best dispersed camping near Downieville? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Downieville's most popular destinations.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Downieville, CA (17)

    Camper-submitted photo from Bowman Lake Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Bowman Lake Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Bowman Lake Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Bowman Lake Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Bowman Lake Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Bowman Lake Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Grouse Ridge Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Grouse Ridge Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Grouse Ridge Campground

    2. Grouse Ridge Campground

    2 Reviews
    4 Photos
    74 Saves
    Emigrant Gap, California
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Valley Rd Pullout
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Valley Rd Pullout
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Valley Rd Pullout
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Valley Rd Pullout
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Valley Rd Pullout
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Valley Rd Pullout

    3. Lake Valley Rd Pullout

    2 Reviews
    6 Photos
    52 Saves
    Emigrant Gap, California

    Most of Tahoe National Forest is open to camping free of charge which is referred to as “dispersed” camping. Dispersed camping is prohibited in certain areas, generally within a ¼ mile of major highway corridors, in the Lakes Basin Area (Sierra Buttes), near Prosser, Boca, Stampede, French Meadows, and Sugar Pine reservoirs, and other locations. Please see the full list of areas where dispersed camping is not allowed below.

    Maps and staff are available at most Tahoe Forest Service offices to assist visitors in finding a suitable spot.

    Not being in a developed campground means that there will not be certain conveniences:

    Water Quality: Be prepared to bring your own drinking water or have a water filter. Lake, stream or spring water may be contaminated. Human Waste:Proper disposal of human waste is crucial. Human waste can spread disease, lead to contaminated water supplies, contaminate soils, attract wildlife, and spoil a dispersed camping area for future users. Portable eco-friendly human waste disposal systems which allow you to safely "Pack It Out" are commercially available and recommended. As a last resort, choose a spot at least 200' away from water sources and dispersed campsites, dig a small hole at least six inches deep, and cover it when you are through. Seal your toilet paper in a bag, pack it out, and dispose of it properly. No trash service - Pack It In, Pack It Out Maximum stay limit for camping is 14 days per District. Please remove all your equipment and garbage when you leave. The beauty of the natural vegetation around your campsite is probably why you chose it. Keep it healthy and growing by not cutting anything down, not putting nails into trees, and treading carefully along meadows, streamsides, and other sensitive areas. Keep your vehicle at least twelve feet from designated roads and trails to prevent resource damage and to adhere to Travel Management Regulations.

    When you pick your spot, make sure that it is at least 200 feet away (about seventy paces) from streams and lakes, to help protect streamside vegetation, and prevent water degradation and sedimentation. Dispersed campsites must be outside the boundary markings of developed campgrounds and dispersed camping closure areas.

    There are many fine camping spots you can reach on Tahoe National Forest motorized routes and trails, but some routes may be rough, steep, or narrow and not suited for low-clearance or for large recreation vehicles.

    • Pets
    • Phone Service
    • Dispersed
    • Alcohol
    Camper-submitted photo from Loch Leven Lakes
    Camper-submitted photo from Loch Leven Lakes
    Camper-submitted photo from Loch Leven Lakes
    Camper-submitted photo from Loch Leven Lakes
    Camper-submitted photo from Loch Leven Lakes
    Camper-submitted photo from Loch Leven Lakes

    4. Loch Leven Lakes

    2 Reviews
    7 Photos
    109 Saves
    Norden, California

    The Loch Leven begins at Placer County Road Pla-9140-2 and ends at High Loch Leven Lake. At the south end of lower Loch Leven, a trail junction continues left to middle and high Lochs, or right to Salmon Lake. Fishing is generally good, and camping is dispersed throughout the basin. Campfire permits are required for campfires, backpacking stoves, BBQs, and lanterns.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Dispersed
    • Alcohol
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Dog Valley
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Dog Valley
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Dog Valley
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Dog Valley
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Dog Valley
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Dog Valley

    5. Big Dog Valley

    4 Reviews
    16 Photos
    95 Saves
    Verdi, Nevada

    There is no "campground here" Please be aware most of the Dog / Sardine Valley is private property and a working ranch. The places near the valley floor with picnic tables - those are sheep camps. The places with firepits, also sheep camps. Please respect private property and make sure you are camping in the BLM / USDA lands that rim the valley. Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Dog Valley provides excellent viewing of both wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Forest, meadows, and streams make up Dog Valley’s landscape, creating a cool and refreshing retreat for this popular recreation area. Dog Valley is also home to two rare plant species, Dog Valley ivesia and Webber’s ivesia. Dog Valley ivesia can only be found in Dog Valley. Other attractions include wildlife viewing and the Crystal Peak Mine, a popular spot for crystal-hounds. Dog Valley offers a variety of opportunities to view wildflowers in the Jeffery pine forests and meadows. As you enter Dog Valley from Verdi, you will see the recovery from the 1994 Crystal Fire with displays of mahala mat, silvery lupine, and chokecherry. Explore the openings in the forest with extensive displays of mule’s ear, balsamroot, buckwheats, paintbrushes, yampah, bitterbrush, bare-stem desert parsley, and manzanita. Walking around, it is easy to enjoy the smaller, less visible flowers, including collomia, prairie star flower, and blue-eyed Mary. Wetter areas have displays of shooting stars, delphinium, and Rydberg’s penstemon. Best Viewing Times: The best time to visit is June and July. Safety First: Creeks and streams can cross the road. Be careful when crossing water and watch for washed-out portions of the road. The road can be very muddy. California OHV registration is required for all vehicles. Campfire permits are also required in California and can be obtained from the Carson District Office or the campground host.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Dispersed
    • Alcohol
    • No image available
      Camper-submitted photo from Rogers Cow Camp
      Camper-submitted photo from Rogers Cow Camp
      • No image available

        8. Stag Point

        Be the first to review!
        19 Saves
        La Porte, California

        1 dispersed site at trail head with fire pit and table only. At Stag Point 5 dispersed units. First come first serve. Pit toilet, fire rings, no water, no garbage services Pack in/Out.

        • Fires
        • Dispersed
        • Picnic Table
        • No image available
          Camper-submitted photo from Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed
          Camper-submitted photo from Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed
          Camper-submitted photo from Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed
          Camper-submitted photo from Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed
          Camper-submitted photo from Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed
          Camper-submitted photo from Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed

          10. Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed

          2 Reviews
          11 Photos
          147 Saves
          Tahoma, California

          The Granite Chief Wilderness was designated a Wilderness area in 1984 because of its pristine nature, natural beauty, and primitive, non-motorized recreational opportunities. Located on the west shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe, the Granite Chief Wilderness is managed by the Tahoe National Forest. This 25,680 acre wilderness offers beautiful valley meadows and spectacular 9000 foot granite peaks.

          • Pets
          • Fires
          • Dispersed
          • Alcohol
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        Showing results 1-10 of 17 campgrounds

        Recent Dispersed Reviews in Downieville

        21 Reviews of 17 Downieville Campgrounds


        • ron R.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Peavine Road Dispersed Camping
          Oct. 12, 2024

          Peavine Road Dispersed Camping

          Complete trash dump

          It's sad where we have this public land to camp on and people just dump tons and tons of trash and abandoned cars and demolished cars on the property would not recommend going. There's some more BLM land about 15 to 20 minutes north on Red Rock road.

        • Paxton B.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Merrill Valley Dispersed Camp
          Sep. 30, 2024

          Merrill Valley Dispersed Camp

          The road is terrible

          Not really sure if we camped in the right spot. It isn’t great, but it got the job done to just crash for a night. Felt like we were in a construction zone

        • SThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Bowman Lake Dispersed
          Sep. 6, 2024

          Bowman Lake Dispersed

          Lake side Campsites

          If you are looking to be near the water and no service, this is perfect. The rough road in I believe must keep some folks out but the lake is amazing.

        • Chris N.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Bowman Lake Dispersed
          Jul. 21, 2024

          Bowman Lake Dispersed

          Great Late Spring Escape

          This place was a slice of heaven, but only accessible by way of 4 x 4 with decent clearance. The trail will take you off road for quite some time , but it's well with the adventure. Traction boards and a winch could help you through unexpected obstacles and are recommended to have on hand, but you most likely won't need them. No running water, but there are restroom buildings, fire rings and bear boxes to use. Mosquitoes are abundant here. Don't forget your repellent. The lake is gorgeous, a great fishery, and there are plenty of inspirational views and solitude to be had.

        • LThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Grouse Ridge Campground
          Jun. 30, 2024

          Grouse Ridge Campground

          Amazing spot for a campground.

          The last five miles to get to this campground was narrow and rocky. Once we got to the campground, I realized narrow and rocky are okay. We were there last weekend in June and there was still snow on the ground. Woot! It was awesome. Quite a few sites there with fire rings, beat up, bear boxes that didn't open and picnic benches that were in bad shape. They had two pot toilets. This was a very busy campground. Lots of traffic on and out, I'm sure to beat the heat. It was 25 degrees cooler up there than in Sacramento. We loved this campground. I can't wait to go back.

        • EThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Dog Valley
          Apr. 23, 2024

          Dog Valley

          Our favorite !

          Dog Valley is a special place where we come to boondock. It’s quite and has a great creek. People come out here to camp, ride atvs, side by sides, dirt bikes, or off road. People target practice a lot and the ranger is very nice.

        • Genevieve R.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Peavine Road Dispersed Camping
          Dec. 28, 2023

          Peavine Road Dispersed Camping

          Lots of trash and shells

          I live 10 minutes away, so I checked it out. It's sketchy driving in with a lot of trailers and cars along the road closer to the main road. There may or may nor have been people in them. We didn't see people walking around except one guy who was walking his dog on the dirt road and another guy nearby with a table next to his car. Maybe he was flying a drone. The dirt road was very rutted in a few areas. No big deal, but I was in my Jeep Trailhawk 4x4. I didn't have my trailer with me. The view of the city is great, but that's it. The area to pull off is not that big, so I think it would be crowded with more than 2 other trailers. It wasn't windy at all when we were there, but I'm sure it could be because it can be very windy in this area. I wouldn't stay here unless I absolutely had to for the night. I did hear gunshots in the distance. We only stayed a few minutes to take a few pictures. No amenities like fire rings or tables.

        • Jakey and Alex L.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Bear Lake Rd. Dispersed
          Oct. 12, 2023

          Bear Lake Rd. Dispersed

          Beautiful, but a hard drive in

          The road in is paved until you reach the real spot where you can actually set up camp. It is VERY rocky and looks like it’s pretty beaten up by Off Road Vehicles.

          If you have a Trailer or RV this is NOT the place to go. There is another spot down the road that is better.

          Forecast said no rain… it rained. Woke up this morning to 4inches of snow! It was majestic.

        • Heather H.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Peavine Road Dispersed Camping
          Jun. 17, 2023

          Peavine Road Dispersed Camping

          Better than a $90/night casino parking lot!

          Feels weird driving in, but there are some pull offs that have good views of the valley. Very open. Lots of trash and casings, but was quiet and felt safe. Good place to pull over if you are in the Reno area and just need to sleep.

        • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Lake Valley Rd Pullout
          May. 11, 2023

          Lake Valley Rd Pullout

          Everything covered in snow right now

          We were looking for an overnight spot in this area and checked out this listing but there's just still too much snow at this time. The weather isn't cold, but the snow plows have pushed all the snow off the road so that it's impossible to get to any pullouts or open dispersed camping areas.

          Roads are clear though, if you want to drive through and check it out.

          We actually had cell reception with Verizon and Att here, which surprised us.

          It's a beautiful area to come back to when the snow clears!

        • William J.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Lake Valley Rd Pullout
          Feb. 15, 2023

          Lake Valley Rd Pullout

          Don't Go In Winter.

          Got stuck for over a day trying to get to the site. Tow truck also got stuck. Would not recommend coming until spring.

        • Azizah T.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Loch Leven Lakes
          Sep. 21, 2021

          Loch Leven Lakes

          Quiet dispersed camping

          We backpacked up to the high loch levens lake where we found many available campsites. But also a lot of the nice view spots were occupied since we didn’t start our hike up early, we started at 5:30pm. The middle lake is very large and had many beautiful spots to camp. But we headed to the upper lake since a lot of day hikers go to the middle lake and don’t always pack out what they pack in. All the sites are very dispersed and you have so much privacy. We saw some people even camping on the boulders! It was very serene and quiet with very respectful campers. The trail up is a bit confusing if you don’t pay absolute attention to where you are going. You can find some orange markings or stacked rocks that help you stay on the path. Reaching our destination was amazing. We swam in the lake and napped in our hammocks. I will say that there was a lot of mosquitos. Even with bug spray I left with 7 bites. But, it’s the outdoors what do you expect? Overall very beautiful area to camp!

        • Joey P.
          Camper-submitted photo from Big Dog Valley
          Oct. 9, 2018

          Big Dog Valley

          Might be in the process of being decommissioned

          Rudimentary campsites, no fire rings or tables at any of the campsites. The cement pullouts are still there. I’ve been up in that area a lot in the past three years and the gate that is at the opening is open sometimes and closed and locked at other times. Not really sure what’s going on with the site. On a brighter note the snowflowers were going off earlier this season!

        • Jake H.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Big Dog Valley
          Aug. 10, 2018

          Big Dog Valley

          Quick Escape

          Dog Valley is my favorite quick escape from town. There are so many places to explore that it doesn't get old.



        Guide to Downieville

        Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Downieville, California, where nature's tranquility awaits. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

        Tips for free and dispersed camping near Downieville, California

        • Be prepared for rough access roads; for instance, reaching Bowman Lake Dispersed requires a vehicle with decent clearance due to its rugged terrain.
        • Mosquito repellent is essential, especially at spots like Grouse Ridge Campground, where these pests can be abundant during warmer months.
        • Always pack out what you pack in, as many areas, including Loch Leven Lakes, do not provide trash disposal facilities.

        Scenic lakes and fishing spots for dispersed campers

        • The breathtaking views at Bowman Lake Dispersed make it an ideal location for fishing enthusiasts looking to catch some local species.
        • Loch Leven Lakes offers multiple lakes to explore, providing ample opportunities for fishing and swimming in a serene environment.
        • For those seeking solitude, Grouse Ridge Campground features numerous lakes and hiking trails, perfect for a peaceful day in nature.

        Dispersed campers should check out Bowman Lake for its stunning views

        • Bowman Lake Dispersed is known for its picturesque lakeside campsites, making it a favorite among those who appreciate being close to water.
        • The area around Grouse Ridge Campground is not only beautiful but also offers a cooler climate, making it a refreshing escape from the heat of the valley.
        • With no amenities like toilets or trash disposal, Loch Leven Lakes encourages a true back-to-nature experience, perfect for seasoned campers looking for a challenge.

        Frequently Asked Questions

        • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Downieville, CA?

          According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Downieville, CA is Bowman Lake Dispersed with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

        • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Downieville, CA?

          TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near Downieville, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.