Dispersed camping areas near Fall River Lake offer wilderness camping with limited or no amenities. During summer months, daytime temperatures typically range from 75-85°F with cooler evenings dropping into the 50s. The surrounding Stanislaus National Forest terrain features pine and cedar forests at elevations between 3,000-7,500 feet, creating varied camping conditions from dusty forest floors to rockier alpine settings.
What to do
Mountain biking on forest trails: Near Bear Valley Dispersed Camping, trails accommodate various skill levels. A camper noted, "Location was near trails to rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking" while another mentioned "Lots of trails to ride your bike and walk."
Stargazing in high elevation spots: The clear mountain air at Iron MT. Dispersed provides exceptional night sky viewing. "The view from this area is spectacular. Beautiful sunsets too," one reviewer wrote. Another camper added, "Amazing views from this place. The abandoned ski lifts are pretty cool to look at and hike along them as well."
Creek exploration: Several sites offer access to small waterways. Around the Hardin Flat area, you'll find tent spots near flowing water, though as one camper pointed out, "The spots along the creek were very buggy. We found one away from the water and not at all buggy."
What campers like
Easy access to Yosemite: Evergreen Rd Dispersed camping provides quick park access. "Great little spot within 10 minutes of one Yosemite's entrance," notes one camper. Another states, "Took us about 9 min to get to the park entrance. Now that we know about this spot we will definitely use this area again."
Cell service reliability: Many dispersed sites offer usable connectivity. At Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed, a camper reported, "Deep in the woods surrounded by forests and undergrowth nice flat spots to park and set up camp. 2 to three bars Verizon no facilities of any kind."
Relative isolation: Despite proximity to roads, many sites feel secluded. A reviewer at Evergreen Road noted: "Firstly, the spots aren't actually on Evergreen; they're on an easily missed dirt road near Aspen Valley Rd. There are two spots at the end of the very short road - each with a fire pit and ample space."
What you should know
Fire restrictions vary by site: Always check current regulations before planning campfires. At Mormon Emigrant Trail Dispersed Pull Off, fires aren't permitted at all. One camper described the area as having "Large pull off areas" but warned visitors need to "come prepared" as there are "0 amenities."
Road conditions require planning: Many access roads have challenging conditions. For Forest Route 4N39 Dispersed, a camper advised, "You don't need 4x4 but you definitely will need a vehicle with some decent clearance. There are some weirdly purposefully placed speed bumps on the west end of the road approaching 4N01 and Spring Gap Rd."
Weather impacts accessibility: Seasonal conditions affect site availability. At Iron Mountain Dispersed, a visitor found "the site was covered in snow, and there was a sign saying no camping in snow clearing conditions. Additionally you aren't allowed in without a Sno-park permit from November 1st to May 31st."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with natural features: Areas with interesting terrain keep children engaged. Near Van Haven Dispersed Site Yosemite, campers can access "John Muir trail" and are "45min to cherry lake and many fresh water rivers and waterfalls."
Prepare for bugs: Insect activity varies by location and season. At Hardin Flat Road, one camper warned, "Lots of ticks! be prepared. other than that, our camp was wonderful."
Plan arrivals before sunset: Finding suitable spots becomes challenging after dark. A camper at Evergreen Road advised, "Get there before dark!! We got in a lil late and was a little tricky finding a spot."
Tips from RVers
Scout suitable parking areas: Not all dispersed sites accommodate larger vehicles. At Bear Valley, campers reported finding "wooded campground, cool weather, good phone reception" but noted "many spots taken with no activity probably by locals."
Expect uneven terrain: Most dispersed sites lack formal parking pads. Iron Mountain offers exceptions, as one visitor noted: "The ground is very flat and many areas are paved with gravel. At 7500 feet above sea level, the view is wide and the scenery is beautiful."
Avoid towing trailers on rough roads: Some access routes aren't trailer-friendly. A Top of Arnold reviewer cautioned, "I would not pull a trailer of any kind up here. Or a vehicle with low clearance."
