54 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several dispersed camping areas exist near Fish Camp, California, primarily in Sierra National Forest land. Goat Meadow Dispersed Camp Site and Yosemite "Boondock National" Dispersed Camping are the main options, both located just outside Yosemite National Park's southern entrance. These primitive sites sit on national forest land where camping is permitted without developed facilities or reservations. Hardin Flat Road also offers additional dispersed camping opportunities slightly farther from Fish Camp.
Access roads to these dispersed sites vary in quality and may require careful navigation. Goat Meadow features flat terrain accessible to most vehicles including small RVs and vans, though some sections have uneven ground. As one visitor noted, "Keep going and you'll find at least 4 or 5 big private areas separated by huge cut logs all with plenty of room to turnaround." Most areas have no amenities—no water sources, toilets, or trash service. Fire restrictions are common, particularly during summer and fall months. The standard 14-day stay limit applies to all dispersed camping in this national forest region.
These areas provide convenient bases for Yosemite exploration without park camping fees. The proximity to Yosemite's South Entrance makes these sites popular during peak season. According to a camper review, "We were the only RV here and had it to ourselves an entire week (granted it's early November). Can't beat the proximity to Yosemite south entrance." Insect activity can be significant in warmer months, with one visitor reporting, "The only negative was the biting bugs which were everywhere & hungry." Cell service ranges from nonexistent to spotty depending on the specific location. The sites offer a primitive camping experience with natural separation between camping spots provided by trees and terrain features. During busy periods, arriving early is recommended as these free sites can fill quickly, especially on summer weekends.
"Excellent spot 7 min from the Yosemite South Wawona Entrance. Im staying at a dispersed camping spot in late July and there is level, paved parking with tent camping spots."
"After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."
"Nestled amongst trees right on the edge of Yosemite. Was quite busy when I was there but managed to find a quiet spot tucked away & private."
"GPS will take you straight to Goat meadow snow play area (look for signs too). Once you reach the area hang right to the dirt road and pick a spot!"
"Access road isn’t bad and it’s close to the park."
"Being so close to the entrance to Yosemite and yet deep in the peace of the forest is a golden treat. This road has both the Hardin Flat and the hardin Dispersed sites."
"Booked a last minute permit for the Pohono trail on a recent trip and had Dewey Point as one of my camp sites! Beautiful views of el cap and the valley made for an iconic back country spot !"
from $5 - $10 / night
Check Availability"Did an impromptu visit for 3 days and just van camped in this forest road. Works great if you can deal with driving in and out. Good camping spots here and there, tons of overnight parking areas."
"Firstly, the spots aren’t actually on Evergreen; they’re on an easily missed dirt road near Aspen Valley Rd."
"Very nice and quiet spot, very close to Yosemite entrance, ideal if you weren't able to get a reservation."
"Got here on Sunday - plenty of spots to park the camper van both Sunday and Monday. Multiple turn offs on the Scenic Loop road to camp at. No bathrooms, water, electricity, or fire rings."
"As you drive along this road, every 10 seconds you will pass a dirt road. Each dirt road has multiple campsites!"
Guide4x4 or high clearance coming in. Long dirt road with dips and rocks. Water only flowing in winter months. Lots of tent camping spots along with 8 back in spots. Really amazing views 360 degrees. No service with Verizon.
LegendThe dirt road into this spot off of Hwy 120 is washboarded but doable. This spot is at an intersection of forest service road 1S158A and Sage Hen Rd. There was still snow on the dirt road at this time of year (in mid April) so be aware, and there are also low hanging branches that might make it tough for taller rigs.
This spot is a large flat area with zero amenities so bring water and pack in and pack out.
Good for a night or two if you want to hike or bike along the plethora of forest service roads. There were signs on the way in for both free range cattle and horses, but we didn't see any.
Cell service with Verizon, weak but usable.
LegendAll around Mono Lake is USFS and BLM land that is open for dispersed camping, as long as you stay above the 1941 water line (you will see signs marking this line, which is fairly close to the lake). Note there are multiple pull out areas and forest service roads to stay in along Hwy 120 east just be mindful that the entire area is sand, as some vehicles may get stuck.
The road into these spots is quite sandy and narrow in some places, but we did fine in our 26' Class C. There is a very large previously burned area with charred remains of plants and trees but it made for some interesting eerie photos. Very quiet place with amazing views and stunning night sky. There are no amenities so bring water and pack in and pack out all trash. Nearby are various hikes and other roads to the range of craters in the area and the tufas along Mono Lake.
We stayed there on a Monday night and did not see anybody else around, other than a truck that drove past our camp spot in the night. Very quiet night.
Good cell reception from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.
Note that Google Maps said that Hwy 120 is closed Oct through May and would not direct us to this area via that road, but the road was open in April 2021, probably due to the mild winter. Check Hwy 120 conditions for yourself because without it you miss out on so much beautiful area to explore.
GuideCame up here in July. It gets warm during the day, but there is a good breeze during the day. And an even better breeze at night. lots of bugs. bring bug spray. 4wd not required, but might help. High clearance will help.
LegendRANGER REVIEW: Mountain House Spaghetti with Meat Sauce at Gladys Lake Backcountry Campsites, Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA
CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Gladys Lake Backcountry Campsite, Ansel Adams Wilderness
Backcountry camping often offers great hiking, epic scenery, serene solitude and otherwise missed sights. Depending on location, backcountry campsite locations can offer their own challenges, whether through the permitting process, preparation of gear and meals, logistics, or difficult terrain…but the trade offs can pay out big dividends.
Leaving behind the din of packed campgrounds…getting unplugged from electronic encumbrances…relaxing beside an untouched alpine lake where the only sound you hear is the whir of dragonfly wings as they dart about.
Only a set number of backcountry permits are issued daily, so crowds and impact remain minimal to nonexistent.
Permits are necessary for all backcountry overnight stays in the Inyo National Forest. https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/inyo/passes-permits
Whenever backcountry hiking/camping in California, do yourself a service and go online https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/passes-permits/?cid=stelprdb5139009 and take the California Campfire Permit test to acquire your certificate and possess it when in the backcountry.
Several ways to get to Gladys Lake exist…
1. John Muir Trail (JMT) thru-hike permits NOBO or SOBO
2. John Muir Trail section hike permits
3. Wilderness Permits Day hike permits
You could enter from Reds Meadows and follow the JMT north to Gladys Lake…or better from Agnew Meadows and follow the Shadow Creek Trail (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=21272&actid=51 ) up and around Shadow Lake and then south on the JMT past Rosalie Lake to Gladys Lake. Each access trail has a daily quota…such as Shadow Creek, which has a daily quota of 30…18 secured through reservation and 12 walk-ups. So if you are choosing to walk-up, have some flexibility of starting days.
We had a JMT SOBO permit acquired six months in advance through the NPS permit lottery. But next visit, I will likely enter through Agnew Meadows via day permit.
Most hikers will stop and camp at Rosalie Lake, which is a wonderful option and a much larger lake. Some would suggest a more picturesque lake than Gladys Lake…but that is all in the eye of the beholder.
August of 2018 saw little precipitation and the winter snowfall was below expectations, so lake water levels were lower and surrounding shoreline not marshy or soggy. Which made for dry and mosquito free conditions.
The effects of local forest fires did cover surrounding mountain views during certain times of the day, and brought with it a bit of lung burning and eye stinging. Early morning and late evening hours brought clearer skies.
Be forewarned that seemingly every backcountry campsite brings with it a steep uphill slog, but worth it. Gladys Lake is at 9600 ft elevation.
I believe there was one other camper at Gladys Lake the night we stayed…but we neither heard nor saw them. It was a perfectly peaceful evening!
Amenities? Well, no showers…no toilets…no water spigots…no electricity…no picnic tables…one lonely stone fire ring but open fires are not permitted. No cell service or WiFi…no general store or local grocery store. However, Gladys Lake water was refreshing both to wade and drink (filtered). You are surrounded by fragrant conifers that buffer sound. A perfectly peaceful location to relax and dream.
PRODUCT REVIEW: Mountain House Spaghetti With Meat Sauce
https://www.mountainhouse.com/
As a frequent user of Mountain House freezes dried dinners, and being a creature of habit, I often settle into a couple favorite meals and don’t deviate to new offerings. Mundane and boring?…perhaps.
But…after winning $100 worth of Mountain House meals through an early season TheDyrt.com contest… and with my daughter as my hiking buddy, I selected several different meals to avoid mutiny.
One of these meal pouches was Mountain House’s Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.
I admit, I was a little suspect as to how freeze-dried spaghetti with meat sauce would taste, but we were both very pleased with the sauce flavors, seasoning and the amount of meat in the sauce. The only thing I would add is a couple slices of toasted garlic bread.
If the next rotation of Mountain House Spaghetti with Meat Sauce was easily located in our bear canisters, we would’ve likely had a second helping…but sadly, it was not.
In pairing down weight before our backcountry hike, I removed the contents from Mountain House’s original packaging and utilized a commercial vacuum sealer to make smaller, lighter meal packs as 11 days of food needed to fit in a bear canister. It worked, but the distinct drawback was not being able to prepare the meal in the resealable pouch. A pot was necessary to allow the freeze-dried contents to soak in the boiling water. So clean up was more extensive than it would’ve been by using the Mountain House resealable pouch. It was a trade off and we made it work.
If you are new to Mountain House freeze dried meals, directions are printed plain and simple on the pouch.
•Measure out the prescribed amount of water
•boil water
•open meal pouch and remove moisture packet
•pour boiling water in pouch and stir contents thoroughly
•seal pouch for prescribed time
•open pouch and stir contents
•serve and enjoy
It doesn’t get any easier.
TravelerSeveral spots available along the forest service road, even arriving after 7pm. Some spots are spacious, others only fit something small like a camper van (what we got). Came here after our first attempted location farther east on highway 120 ended up having A LOT of bees and flies. Location is up on a little ridge that offers views of the lake to the north and mountains to the south. Great for a one night pit stop. Probably gets really windy on some evenings, and there is nothing around for wind protection.
TravelerExcellent spot 7 min from the Yosemite South Wawona Entrance. Im staying at a dispersed camping spot in late July and there is level, paved parking with tent camping spots. Thankful they had porti-pottys (due to an event, not normal) and bear-proof trash receptacles as bears did visit while camping here! No water access, however you can fill up bottles from the drinking fountains at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Center right past the park entrance. ENJOY!
GuideWhat a brilliant place! Nestled amongst trees right on the edge of Yosemite. Was quite busy when I was there but managed to find a quiet spot tucked away & private. Bumpy roads around the actual camping area but manageable in a camper van. Actually saw a few big rigs here too. Only negative was the biting bugs which were everywhere & hungry but didn’t spoil the evening, just wish I’d taken bug spray or a citronella candle!
LegendThere are a ton of spots to camp along Owens River Rd. All the spots closest to 395 were taken when we went in late September, but we found this spot that I've marked here that was easily accessible in our 26ft Motorhome. Owens River Rd itself is paved, but the offshoots are hit or miss so take it slowly and proceed at your vehicle's ability.
This particular spot was nice and big and is probably suitable for any size rig. The pavement on the road heading in was partly washed out but we were easily able to drive around the pits. See video - it's long but I recorded us leaving the spot and showed the pits in the road.
Good cell reception, very quiet, very little traffic.
No amenities, no toilets, no trash service. Area was clean! Hopefully it stays that way.
Dispersed camping sites near Fish Camp, California offer primitive accommodations at elevations between 5,000-5,500 feet in Sierra National Forest. The coniferous forest terrain features moderate summer temperatures typically ranging from 55-85°F. These rustic camping options provide basic access to undeveloped natural areas without formal campground infrastructure.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Wildlife enthusiasts camping at Goat Meadow Dispersed Camp Site often spot deer wandering through campsites. As one camper observed, "She wasn't afraid of us at all, just minding her business eating away." Coyotes are also active in the area.
Winter recreation: The Goat Meadow area transforms into a snow play area during winter months. When camping in early spring, some spots may still have snow coverage. "When I was there recently, some of the 'campsites' had 0-3", whereas other spots were about 6-8"," reported one visitor in March.
Hiking access: Campers at Evergreen Rd Dispersed Camping have quick access to less-crowded sections of Yosemite. A camper noted, "Great little spot within 10 minutes of one Yosemite's entrance." This location serves as an excellent base for day hikes while staying outside park boundaries.
Natural separation between sites: At Hardin Flat Road dispersed camping, the forest creates natural privacy. "This was a really nice stay close to Yosemite with really spread out spots. Couldn't even see your neighbor and the vicinity to the park made it perfect," one camper explained about their experience.
Multiple camping options: The Yosemite "Boondock National" Dispersed Camping area offers various pullout spots along Mount Raymond Road. A camper described, "To the left which was a parking lot possibly with sites (could not see) or to the right, which was a very large cleared space. I saw the remains of a few fires so I assumed I was in the right spot."
Early season quietude: Spring and fall bring fewer crowds to dispersed camping areas. "Quite a large level area, though it was November and not peak season so there were loads of space," reported one Goat Meadow camper. Shoulder season visitors often have first choice of prime spots with natural features.
Holiday traffic considerations: During peak holidays, traffic to Yosemite backs up significantly. A camper at Hardin Flat Dispersed warned, "I will say if it's a holiday weekend and you leave camp headed into town be prepared for at least an hour in traffic due to backup from the park entrance."
Insect precautions: Biting insects pose challenges during warmer months in these camping areas. Pack appropriate repellent and protective clothing as some campers report significant issues: "What a brilliant place! Nestled amongst trees right on the edge of Yosemite... Only negative was the biting bugs which were everywhere & hungry."
Wildlife safety measures: Bear and coyote activity requires proper food storage. One camper reported, "Coyotes and bears are active in the area—coyotes raided a bag I had hanging from a tree and stole my food!" Secure food containers are essential for overnight stays in these areas.
Early arrival strategy: With children, securing a suitable spot early is crucial. A visitor to Hardin Flat Road advised, "Lots of available spots along Hardin Flat Road, most with good shade. Passed 10-15 pull out spots for car campers, and at least 10 more easily accessible spots for tents. We were there peak season but mid-week and spots were easy to find."
Water planning: No potable water exists at these sites, requiring families to bring sufficient supplies. Pack 1-2 gallons per person per day, especially during summer. "No amenities over here and no dumpsters," noted one camper, underscoring the importance of self-sufficiency.
Safety considerations: Families should be aware of specific environmental hazards. At Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site, a camper warned about "lots of ticks! be prepared." Conduct regular tick checks and bring appropriate first aid supplies for these rustic camping experiences.
Road condition awareness: RV campers should carefully assess road conditions before attempting access. At Yosemite "Boondock National" Dispersed Camping, a visitor noted, "Bumpy roads around the actual camping area but manageable in a camper van. Actually saw a few big rigs here too."
Turnaround space considerations: When evaluating dispersed sites for larger vehicles, prioritize spots with adequate turnaround space. One RVer at Hardin Flat Road shared, "I am parked across from a private drive so I can turn around with my RV if needed," highlighting the importance of exit planning for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Fish Camp dispersed camping located?
Fish Camp dispersed camping is generally located near Yosemite National Park in California. The area is situated along the southern entrance to Yosemite, close to Highway 41. Similar to Yosemite "Boondock National" Dispersed Camping, Fish Camp sites are nestled among trees right on the edge of Yosemite, offering convenient access to the park. The area is primarily surrounded by Sierra National Forest land where dispersed camping is permitted on forest service roads, following proper regulations.
Do I need a permit for dispersed camping at Fish Camp?
Typically, no special permit is required for dispersed camping at Fish Camp, but standard dispersed camping regulations apply. Similar to Inyo National Forest Dispersed Camping, you should follow maximum stay limits, which are typically 14 days within a 30-day period. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as they're common in summer months. While permits aren't usually needed for dispersed camping, you should still check with the Sierra National Forest office for any seasonal restrictions or fire permit requirements if you plan to have a campfire.
What amenities are available at Fish Camp dispersed camping?
Fish Camp dispersed camping offers very minimal amenities, similar to most dispersed sites. Like Scenic Loop - Dispersed Camping, there are no bathrooms, water sources, electricity, or established fire rings. At Laurel Springs Campground, another dispersed area, campers note there's typically no cell phone signal. You'll need to pack in all necessary supplies including water and pack out all trash. These sites are truly primitive, focusing on natural surroundings rather than facilities. Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles during your stay.
When is the best time of year to camp at Fish Camp?
The best time to camp at Fish Camp is late spring through early fall (May-October), when weather conditions are most favorable. Similar to Sage Hen Dispersed, snow can still be present on roads in mid-April, making access challenging. At Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site, summer brings warm days with good breezes, though insects can be abundant (bring bug spray). Fall offers pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds, while winter camping is possible but requires preparation for snow and cold conditions. Always check road conditions before heading out, especially in shoulder seasons.
Keep Exploring
