Best Dispersed Camping near Floriston, CA

Dispersed camping options near Floriston, California include several primitive sites on public lands. Big Dog Valley offers free camping with established fire rings and is suitable for both tent and RV camping. Merrill Valley Dispersed Camp provides walk-in and drive-in access for tent campers. Kybar Flats, located at higher elevation, features more secluded sites with mountain views. These areas fall primarily under Forest Service management with some nearby BLM lands also available.

None of these dispersed sites provide drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Campers must pack in all necessary water and pack out all waste. According to reviews, Dog Valley is "quiet and has a great creek," though visitors should note that "people target practice a lot" in the area. Fire regulations vary seasonally; always check current fire restrictions before your trip. Stone fire rings exist at some sites, but during high fire danger periods, all open flames may be prohibited.

Road conditions to these sites require careful navigation. Most access roads are unpaved and can become rutted or muddy after rain. Several campers noted that higher clearance vehicles are recommended, especially for reaching more remote sites. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the area. Wildlife sightings are common, with coyotes frequently heard at night. The camping areas experience significant temperature variations between day and night, particularly at higher elevations. Prepare for cold overnight temperatures even during summer months. All sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Floriston, California (34)

    2. Tahoe Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Verdi, NV
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 587-3558

    "The turn off to the dirt road was 300 ft past where the app said it was. Once we got deeper into the forest my gps wasn’t on the the route depicted on Dyrt, but it’s a fun trail."

    3. Kyburz Flats

    2 Reviews
    Sierraville, CA
    15 miles

    "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."

    6. Reno View Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Virginia City, NV
    19 miles

    "The first turn off has the best view with somewhat flat ground for a tent. Very rocky ground and a little windy so ground tents might be tough. RTT and campervans are perfect for this spot!"

    "I would not drive it with any vehicle other than SUV/Truck. DO NOT bring up an RV/Trailer. you’ll regret it. we stayed and car camped. an awesome view of the lights of Reno."

    7. BLM - Water Tank Road Dispersed

    7 Reviews
    Sparks, NV
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (775) 861-6500

    "Tucked off, dirt road with enough seclusion and privacy to feel comfortable at night. Be forewarned that the road is super rough and you will definitely need a car with more clearance to get up it."

    8. BLM FLATTOP

    3 Reviews
    Virginia City, NV
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (775) 885-6000

    9. BLM next to Truckee River, in Mustang

    3 Reviews
    Sparks, NV
    23 miles

    "To close to the train tracks and highway"

    10. Loch Leven Lakes

    4 Reviews
    Norden, CA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 265-4531

    "We backpacked up to the high loch levens lake where we found many available campsites."

    "We took Salmon lake trailhead which is shorter trail."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Floriston, CA

89 Reviews of 34 Floriston Campgrounds


  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2023

    Scout Camp at Fort Churchill

    Gorgeous Riparian Forest

    Scout camp is on the Carson river and within the tall cottonwoods. Camp in the shade or out in the open if it’s very windy as the trees can shed branches. Garbage collection and pit toilets. Nice trail along the River.

    As of October 2023 the access road to scout camp was washed out. But there is dispersed camping on the terrace to the south.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 8, 2023

    USFS Silver Fork Dispersed

    Endless Possibilities

    The 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:

    1. You are required to have a permit for any day/overnight use in Eldorado, including this area. They can be easily acquired at recreation.gov
    2. Cell phone reception is very spotty, in and out of a couple of bars throughout the drive in. — AT&T coverage. At the above coordinates, there were 2 bars of low grade coverage allowing basic texts to send. Not enough service for web browsing or sending photos via text.
    3. This area has been widely burnt by fires last year. There are still large areas unburnt. You will find yourself going in and out of them while driving.
    4. KEEP IT CLEAN — this area is immaculate and besides dug out fire pits, human trace is non-existent. Leave it cleaner than you found it, pick up your trash (and other’s if you see any), respect the area and it will respect you.
    5. NO CAMP SERVICES — There is no trash service or even dumpsters at the signed entrance; pack it in pack it out. There are no restrooms in the area either.
  • J
    Jun. 24, 2021

    Dispersed Camping near Fort Churchill

    No Go for Class A due to rotted access roads

    We drove thru both Fort Churchill State Park Campground and Scout Camp near by. We were looking for a place to camp for the night. We have a 36ft class A with a tow. Fort Churchill Campground is not accessible if you love the paint job on your rig. For lower profile campers it would be ok. Narrow dirt roads with sage brush to scratch you and overhanging low tree branches to ruin solar and a/c.

    Scout camp access is deeply rotted so our Class A couldn't safely get in there, otherwise there would have been plenty of space for us.

  • Ciara W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2024

    Echo Summit Dispersed

    Not dispersed camping

    This 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

  • Tim R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2024

    Packsaddle Pass - El Dorado National Forest Dispersed

    Standard Dispersed Camping

    Standard 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!

  • Shane C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2022

    Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed camping with campground layout/feel

    Camped here for a night in early October. Easy access and reasonably good road quality make it very RV friendly - I would say that it was at least 75% RVs/Trailers. Beautiful views of the valley and hills to the east. Most sites are obvious, with a driveway and stone fire ring. We like a more "dispersed" feel, but felt comfortable. 

    There are no services - bring all the water you will need and practice "leave no trace." This goes for your waste (human and animal) as well. I wish I could say that we didn't see any dog waste or "TP Flowers" but we did. Not a significant amount, but any is too much.

    The place was pretty much full, but still good vibes and quiet neighbors. Very close to Hwy. 88, so road noise and campers coming in looking for a spot after dark. Gets quiet later in the evening.

    Overall, a nice spot.

  • Raymond B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2024

    USFS Silver Fork Dispersed

    Overnight stay

    We 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!

  • Kailey C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2020

    Dispersed Camping near Fort Churchill

    Alternate free camping next to the state park!

    Since COVID has closed all state and national parks to camping, we were happy to find this BLM land for an overnight. There are no services and the ground is a little bumpy/sandy but we were able to get around just fine in our camper van. There was a makeshift fire ring at our site, but it was so windy and dry brush everywhere that we didn't want to attempt to use it.

    We for service on both Verizon and Sprint! Had some coyotes track around our van over night so make sure you keep everything inside!

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Tahoe Dispersed Camping

    Great New Spot

    The turn off to the dirt road was 300 ft past where the app said it was. Once we got deeper into the forest my gps wasn’t on the the route depicted on Dyrt, but it’s a fun trail. We went in about a mile in our RAM Promaster converted van then turned around and took a big flat spot closer to the road.


Guide to Floriston

Dispersed camping near Floriston, California, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning views and a variety of landscapes, these spots are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure.

Dispersed campers should check out BLM - Water Tank Road Dispersed

  • BLM - Water Tank Road Dispersed is known for its quiet atmosphere and beautiful views, making it a favorite among those seeking solitude.
  • While it lacks amenities like drinking water and toilets, the site allows for pets and is free to use, appealing to budget-conscious campers.
  • Accessing this area may be tricky due to nearby construction, but it can be reached by driving in from the east.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Floriston, California

  • Always be prepared for rough roads; for instance, the access road to Reno View Dispersed is challenging and best suited for SUVs or trucks.
  • Bring all necessary supplies, as many spots, including Peavine Road Dispersed Camping, do not offer amenities like trash disposal or water hookups.
  • Be mindful of local wildlife and other campers; some areas may have increased foot traffic, especially near popular spots like Big Dog Valley.

Scenic views for dispersed campers at Loch Leven Lakes

  • The hike-in access to Loch Leven Lakes rewards campers with breathtaking views and a serene environment, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
  • This area is known for its privacy, with many dispersed sites available, allowing for a peaceful camping experience away from crowds.
  • Be prepared for mosquitoes during warmer months, as the natural beauty of the lakes can attract these pests, so pack insect repellent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Floriston, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Floriston, CA is Big Dog Valley with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Floriston, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 34 dispersed camping locations near Floriston, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.