Looking for the best campgrounds near Emigrant Gap, CA? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Emigrant Gap, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
"We backpacked up to the high loch levens lake where we found many available campsites."
"We took Salmon lake trailhead which is shorter trail."
"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."
"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."
"Found a perfect spot with easy access to water right outside of our tent. Very friendly area for our dog - zero ticks the whole weekend!"
"Was fine in my 2wd van but have high clearance and was dry. Might be worse if muddy or low clearance vehicle. Also, coordinates lead to historic sheep camp site."
"I went to stay at a paid campground nearby but they said my dogs would have to be leashed, so he suggested this place for us. It has a few roads with a couple campsites. Pure dispersed camping."
"Pulled off Union valley road and set up camp with our Rooftop tent. Little cold up here in November but made for some great pre-snowfall camping!"
"Luckily there is a lot of Dispersed camping all the way around the lake! So beautiful, and the lake is really warm in the summer"
TravelerThe coordinates listed on the app are simply for the entrance to the dispersed camping. There are infinite amounts of primitive roads to drive down and find camp. I stayed at N38.768811• W 120.238630° — on top of a peak that offered 360° views with sunrise and sunset right from my tent. At this specific sight, there are no overhead trees. Despite being primitive, the roads are well kept, even if you have a small SUV. It could get slightly tricky with a car. I stayed here for 7 days (10/31-11/6) and only saw one other person on the primivite roads. The above coordinates are about a 6 mile drive in from US50. You will see a campground on your right about 5 miles down when driving in, about a mile further down the road you will come up on the dirt road leading you up the mountain.
A couple of notes:
GuideThis spot is national forest, and overnight camping is not allowed. We had a knock from someone with the forest service the next morning who was very kind and let us know that overnight is not allowed.
Look up lakes and forest in this area on google — not many places allow dispersed camping
GuideStandard dispersed camping on national forest land. Paved main road with dirt roads and areas for camping branching off. Plenty of room. Some areas have beautiful views of strawberry valley!
TravelerWe recently spent a night at this campsite and found it to be perfect for a quick overnight getaway. The area is spacious and conveniently located not too far off the main road, making it easy to access without feeling too isolated.
There are plenty of sites to choose from, catering to different preferences. However, we recommend taking some time to survey the land before setting up camp, as some spots are slightly sloped.
A huge plus is the gas station just about 5 minutes down the road. It’s well-stocked with all the convenient store items you might have forgotten at home, making it easy to grab any last-minute necessities.
Overall, it was a delightful stay. Just remember, always practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out what you pack in!
RangerIt'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.
GuideI 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.
TravelerIf 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.
RangerWe 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!
GuideThe road up to Iowa Hill is terrifying- especially in the dark. We camped in our 4runner as we got there when it was dark and there was so much glass and shell casings everywhere from what seems to be a local shooting area. the town nearby is a bit eerie but fun to explore. it worked for one night! No amenities, but a bathroom and paid campsite down the rugged road so come with everything you need. Hike nearby with waterfall is beautiful
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Emigrant Gap, California, where nature offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With a variety of locations to choose from, campers can enjoy stunning landscapes and a sense of solitude.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping at Emigrant Gap?
Dispersed camping at Emigrant Gap follows standard USFS regulations: camp at least 100 feet from water sources, practice Leave No Trace principles, and stay no more than 14 days in a 30-day period. Fire restrictions vary seasonally - always check current conditions and obtain necessary permits. Echo Summit Dispersed demonstrates the importance of verifying overnight camping rules, as some national forest areas prohibit overnight stays despite appearing suitable. At Packsaddle Pass - El Dorado National Forest Dispersed, standard national forest dispersed camping rules apply. Always pack out all trash, as improper waste disposal has become problematic in some dispersed areas.
What amenities are available for dispersed camping near Lake Spaulding?
Dispersed camping near Lake Spaulding offers minimal amenities, staying true to the primitive outdoor experience. At USFS Silver Fork Dispersed, you'll find spacious sites with no facilities, though there are multiple established spots to choose from with natural features like views and river access. Similarly, Silver Fork River Camping provides established sites beside a river but no formal facilities. Most dispersed sites around Lake Spaulding require you to pack in all necessities including water, toilet supplies, and waste disposal bags. Cell service is typically limited or nonexistent, so plan accordingly. Bring everything you need and be prepared to pack everything out.
Where is Lake Spaulding dispersed camping near Emigrant Gap?
Lake Spaulding dispersed camping is located in the Tahoe National Forest near Emigrant Gap. For nearby dispersed camping options, Bowman Lake Dispersed provides waterfront sites about 30 minutes from Lake Spaulding. The lake is accessible via Bowman Lake Road, though be prepared for rough road conditions that may require high clearance vehicles. Another option is Loch Leven Lakes, which offers beautiful lakeside camping reached by a moderate hike from the trailhead near Interstate 80. While not directly on Lake Spaulding, these areas provide similar dispersed camping experiences in the same general region of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
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