If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Elk Creek, look no further. With The Dyrt, it's easy to find peaceful dispersed camping near Elk Creek. From secluded to easily reachable, we offer dispersed campsites near Elk Creek just for you.
Dispersed Camping. No services.
Dispersed camping. Open May - December. Vault toilet, no other services. Has good hunting access.
Camping on the Mendocino is not limited to developed campgrounds. Most of the forest is open to those who prefer the quiet and solitude of a completely undeveloped setting. This type of camping is called Dispersed Camping. Maps: Anyone planning a dispersed camping trip should invest in a forest map. You not only have to locate a campsite; you will also have to find your way back. Be respectful and know where you are. Length of Stay: For dispersed recreation areas, visitors may camp in the same location outside a one-mile radius of a developed recreation site for 14 days within any 30-day period but no more than 28 cumulative days in any 12-month period. When you go home, leave the forest the way you found it, or better, for the enjoyment of the next visitor. Locating a Dispersed Campsite: Look for an area where you are not likely to damage any forest resources. Before settling on your spot, investigate the surroundings. Locations at the end of a spur road or a pullout that is clear of vegetation and has a hard, compacted surface are usually good spots. Stay on established roadways; do not drive off-road to camp. Never camp in meadows.
Scout
Visit was for 11/19/2024 found the gates locked, no entry. Seasonal? No signage to tell.
Scout
we used to go hunting up there in the 8os, you should have seen the campground then. really nice, had picnic tables fire pits great place to camp. i was up there a few years ago still looks kind of the same but they took all that out of the campground years ago.. road going in still looks the same..there is an old tree in the campground, people who have neen there will know the tree i mean, looks old low hangin branches, thats where we used to camp..more trash atound now. in 1987 it was clean.. still nice place
GuideQuiet stop, but I wouldn't call it the most beautiful stop I've ever stayed. Camping spots are to the left and the right I'd the day use. Pit toilets. No garbage.
ScoutDrive up to the site all incline dirt road ~6 miles - we made it up without 4 wheel drive but some areas were a little sketchy. Overall pretty dusty too. Sites themselves were decently maintained, some trash from previous campers but nothing major. This area is a popular for target practice so if the sounds of gunshots throughout the day isn’t your vibe, then this spot might not be suitable. Overall beautiful sunrises and sunsets and starry night sky
Guide
The place itself has delicious food. It is also a little grocery store. The “dog area” is something they squeezed into the side of the lot. Not fenced in but there were dog poop bags when we stopped.
Ranger
As soon as I started going up an extremely steep hill and saw a sign that said not a through street, I should have turned around but it was impossible with my 30-foot car and trailer. I am Bart Upon A frightening , rutted, unmaintained road that is only suitable for off-road vehicles for sick four wheel drives . Barely made it out of there with everything working as it should on car and trailer and actually got stuck at one point and had to use logs to get myself traction. Do not try this and there is nowhere to stop and set up a ten , at all!
TravelerBeautiful spot with some views of the lake. No services, but had cell service (CC). I drove in from the south access to High Valley rd. The road was challenging. It was steep with loose dirt in spots. It was an adventure. I am going to try north access into Lucerne later. (See Google for more info)
ScoutBeautiful spot, was able to get a lake view. Easy to get to and relatively clean
GuideSuper easy to find coming up from the lake. A lot of spots to choose from. There were around 4 or 5 people here already but we were able to find a secluded spot that overlooks the lake. Very peaceful but some traffic sounds at night from the lake towns.
TravelerThe gravel roads here are open again and easy to drive on! We drove here from the north. All wheel drive ist helpfull, but we saw some people with a prius up there.
Small individual places with self-built fireplaces. It was windy in the evening, but that died down during the night and in the morning we had breakfast in the sun in a clearing.
ScoutThe camp area is closed, as of 2/9/2024. No indication of that on the BLM website.
TravelerGreat free campground! We've stayed here many times. It's open, grassy level and quiet. Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes. It's a hot spot for horses which of course have no stream problems, so the only negative is fly's sometimes. But just keep your screen door closed (& fly swatter handy). We always manage to level out in our 23" Winnebago View. There is lots of open space so no crowding. There is a rural road near by but traffic noise isn't a problem. Perhaps I should say it's awful so fewer people come and it's not discovered.
GuideNo trees just dry open land inhabited by an unusual amount of flies. It was crazy how thick they were. An almost dry creek runs alongside the open field of camping pads. To close to the road and way to exposed to feel comfortable to stay. If I needed a place to get some shut eye before heading onward, then maybe. I had a car full of flies that went to the coast with us. It was crazy.
Guide
The ride up was rough. The views made it all worth it. The camp site was not an option for me. I need something semi level to navigate.
GuideAbsolutely no access!! Gate shut and locked, camping area inaccessible due to fire damage! Road not maintained.
LegendIt is a parking lot behind the Olive Pit. Lots of traffic noise. Okay if you want a free spot to sleep for the night.
LegendLovely views of Clear Lake from a clearing on 220 that appears to be an established site. Right at the intersections of 16 N 22 road. Nice big clear, open area. Really….views of the lake and stars are unreal here. BUT….it was so so windy. We camp in a Chevy high top van and the wind was go fierce it was shaking us all over the place in the night. Finally had to move to another spot (that isn’t really a spot) down the road around 4am bc the wind was just too much for us. Also 220 was blocked just after the 16 N 22 road cuts off (heading east) so we had to head back the way we came (on 220 in Nice). Road was dry and packed and clear other than the tree blocking the road. Old burn area so lots of downs and such.
Traveler
As long as you have a capable vehicle and are prepared to provide for your own needs, you'll be ready for Cow.
ScoutI was so grateful for the mature shade trees that offered a respite from the hot sun. It's a very quiet spot, so keep it that way. Some riffraff staggle through but they're harmless.
GuideMy wife and I were going to camp here but she was a little spooked by the amount of bears we saw on the trail to the campsite. This area was also decimated by wild fire recently and a large percentage of the forest is charred. We ended up passing this site up, but it looks like it is a cool spot. FYI the areas surrounding this site are not too suitable if looking for a hotel. We ended up driving a considerable distance down to Sonoma and continued on our honeymoon with wine tasting.
GuideNot much to say similar to rest stop. Spent evening in their parking lot that does say no parking unless your a customer. I went in and purchase couple jars of olives to take to Slab City with me as trading stock now I’m a customer (happy face). No one messed with me and it was decently quiet. Only two other rvs. Super small dog potty area too but it’s their yay.
GuideSpent the evening in the RV/Truck area after stocking up on some Olive stuffed garlic and artichokes. Mmmm. Was quiet besides the obvious freeway intersection area near by but NOT complaining. Easy boon-docking. Small pet area. Well lit if you park under a light. Safeway,Burger King, Taco Bell, Auto parts store lots more in little area around The Olive Pit. Basically park and walk to get shopping done. Boom. Hope this helps a little.
LegendPROS:
+ FREE overnight parking for RVs, trailers, and camper vehicles.
+ Very safe and heavily traffic location. Lots of travelers here spending the evening! Signs say for Olive Pit Customers Only but we spent 2 nights here (along with a few other campers) and no one ever disturbed us.
+ Very flat, leveled, and long paved spots (great for up to 35-foot long fifth wheelers and even 50-foot rigs).
+ Huge lot with lots of available spots. Around 10 spots for larger trailers and RVs, and lots of small spots for campervans and car rooftop tent campers. We saw 4-5 other campers around us who mostly were very private and to themselves
+ Super convenient location near lots of fast food joints, a Starbucks, Rite Aid, and supermarket. The lot shares the same entrance as the Shell Station and Olive Pit Cafe & Store where you can conveniently pick up food/beer/supplies.
+ The Olive Pit has a great cafe and wine tasting room. They sell specialty items such as olives, balsamic vinegar, etc. And they have a great breakfast!
+ There is a giant dumpster for trash disposal behind the Olive Pit
+ There is also a pet area that has a small white fence around a dirted area for pets to relieve themselves.
+ Lots of palm trees in the backdrop giving the place a very California vibe.
CONS:
+ No tent camping, unless it's a car rooftop tent or a pop-up tent trailer
+ No fires/no showers/ no toilets (Although you can walk to the Shell Station to use their toilets which were super clean and well-maintained.)
+ Loud 24 hour carwash at the Shell station. Usually quiets down around 9 pm
+ Bright security lights in the parking lot. Just don't park directly under one. There are a few darker and less lit spots
GuideAlways fun. Love going to the tech course with our off road buggy. Crawled all over that hill.
GuideLove taking our Rock crawler up to cow. Lots of obstacles. Camping is awesome. Few sites and vault restrooms. Still a good time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Elk Creek, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Elk Creek, CA is Olive Pit Dispersed Lot with a 4.2-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Elk Creek, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 dispersed camping locations near Elk Creek, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
