Dispersed camping near El Nido, California primarily consists of roadside pull-offs and parking areas rather than established campgrounds. The Angeles National Forest offers most of the accessible camping options, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,700 feet and temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler than downtown Los Angeles. Winter nights can drop below freezing at higher elevations while summer days regularly reach 90°F.
What to do
Explore waterfalls: Santa Paula Canyon offers hiking access to Big Cone Camp where visitors can reach several swimming holes. According to one camper, "This is a fairly easy hike through what would not be considered a typical hike. It starts off going through Thomas Aquinas College, winding through horse property and oil fields, before finally opening up into Santa Paula Canyon."
Night sky viewing: Angeles Crest Overlook provides unobstructed views of both city lights and night skies. A visitor noted, "I loved car camping here! 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."
Dog exercise: Hare School Park includes a field area for pets. As one reviewer mentioned, "There's a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them."
What campers like
Sunrise views: The elevated position of Angeles Crest Overlook to LA provides panoramic morning vistas. A camper reported, "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."
Ease of access: Most dispersed camping sites near El Nido require minimal hiking or can be accessed directly by vehicle. One reviewer at Hare School Park stated, "You can overnight park here with your RV without problems."
Low supervision: Many dispersed camping areas offer minimal oversight. A camper at Angeles Crest Overlook wrote, "I spent the night and no-one took really notice of me."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping near El Nido lacks basic amenities. A visitor to Big Cone Camp - Santa Paula Canyon mentioned, "It is one of my favorite spots simply because it is close and when my kids were young it was a fairly easy hike to get to, and there's a nice reward when you get there."
Noise concerns: Roadside camping areas often experience late-night traffic and visitors. One Angeles Crest camper noted, "Great view but on the weekend we had multiple cars doing donuts really close to our van. I felt uncomfortable with that."
Security considerations: Vehicle break-ins have been reported at some locations. A camper warned, "Be careful though there's a white van that teams up with a black truck they tried to break in my car while I was sleeping."
Tips for camping with families
Choose weekdays: Weekend crowds and late-night visitors can be disruptive to family camping. A reviewer at Aliklik Campground suggested visiting during weekdays when fewer recreational vehicles are present.
Water safety: Swimming holes near Big Cone Camp require supervision. A visitor advised, "From Big Cone Camp you can easily reach the waterfalls and pools that make this area known as the 'punch bowls'. Depending on weather and water conditions there are some nice water rock slides, and a few pools you can jump from the cliffs into."
Pack out trash: Many dispersed camping areas have no waste facilities. A camper noted, "Please pack out your trash. Because this hike is local and easy, there are many party people that frequent the area and leave their trash."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most roadside camping areas accommodate small to medium vehicles only. At Hare School Park, a camper reported, "I'm in a 25 foot Fleetwood RV. There's other people that are staying in another parking lot attached that are homeless in their vehicles mostly cars and vans."
Parking strategies: RV campers should arrive early to secure suitable spots. One camper suggested, "It's not tent friendly. I don't believe," indicating the space is best used for vehicle camping.
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies significantly by location. A visitor to Angeles Crest Overlook wrote, "Unfortunately I didn't have any service (Visible/Verizon), so that was a little scary."
