Best Dispersed Camping near Fortuna, CA

Lacks Creek BLM offers free dispersed camping approximately 40 minutes from Fortuna, California along gravel roads that require cautious driving. The area features several designated sites with fire rings and picnic tables, with the main camping area found by following Pine Ridge Road to its end. A vault toilet serves the campsites, but no drinking water or trash service is available. Cell coverage varies by carrier—some visitors report good AT&T service while Verizon is generally unreliable.

Road conditions pose the primary challenge for visitors. As one camper noted, "The road was a little rough but nothing we couldn't handle." Low-clearance vehicles can navigate the route in dry conditions, though some sections have narrow passes, blind turns, and occasional washouts. Most reviewers recommend against bringing large trailers or RVs. The surrounding area offers hiking and mountain biking trails, with several campers mentioning impressive views. Ticks can be abundant in warmer months, with one visitor reporting they "left after 30 minutes and 6 ticks."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Fortuna, California (5)

    1. Lacks Creek BLM

    20 Reviews
    Hoopa, CA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 825-2300

    "Note the gps coordinates take you to the right of the sign at the top of the hill after you turn off the main road. I would recommend going straight. Just follow it to the end."

    "The whole BLM management area is well developed and has signs to guide you. There are spots all along pine ridge road. Campsites have picnic tables and fire rings."

    3. Groves Prairie Dispersed Camp

    2 Reviews
    Willow Creek, CA
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 629-2118

    "Both ways are via forest service roads that are "fair".  There are 3 sites, each with a picnic table and fire ring.  There is one vault toilet that was stocked with 'the papers'. "

    "There is a beautiful little creek right next to the campsite."

    4. Redwood Creek Dispersed Camp

    4 Reviews
    Orick, CA
    47 miles
    Website

    "Dispersed camping along the river banks after walking through the Tall Trees hike. Easy overnighter."

    "but be prepared, you will be camping next to a creek on top of rocks. if you have a sleeping pad, this is no problem. if not, be aware. Next, you WILL cross a creek! the rocks are PAINFUL!"

    5. 44 Backcountry Camp — Redwood National Park

    1 Review
    Orick, CA
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 464-6101

    "It is located up the hill from the sign announcing it along the trail, look carefully if like me you've night hiked to get here."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Fortuna, CA

28 Reviews of 5 Fortuna Campgrounds


  • matt R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2023

    Lacks Creek BLM

    Awesome spot.

    Great spot. The site is very secluded and well maintained. Note the gps coordinates take you to the right of the sign at the top of the hill after you turn off the main road. I would recommend going straight. Just follow it to the end. There is three fire pits and a bathroom. That is okay. But it will do. Note there is no trash can on site and the closest gas station is probably an hour from the camp site. After you drive down the dirt roads. They are a little road but any vehicle could make it.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 29, 2025

    Lacks Creek BLM

    Great Spot

    Not much more to say that others haven’t. Clean, with a beautiful view. The whole BLM management area is well developed and has signs to guide you. There are spots all along pine ridge road. Campsites have picnic tables and fire rings.

  • rThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Lacks Creek BLM

    Lacks creek blm

    Clean great view the gps was wrong it took me past the turn off and sent me to private property with a locked gate so at the top of the hill look for a clearly marked sign on the left turn up the hill when you get to the intersection take the road to the right and go up the hill I went past the first site and got on top there are three sites in a row and a bathroom at the end

  • Greg B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2024

    Groves Prairie Dispersed Camp

    Secluded & beautiful Meadow

    This secluded camp is well worth the effort to find.  I've been 3 times and finally decided to add it to The Dyrt.  Upon this return, I tried to find it online (Six Rivers's official site) but found no info.  There are two ways to this camp, the longer from Willow Creek, or the shorter from Hawkins Bar.  Both ways are via forest service roads that are "fair".  There are 3 sites, each with a picnic table and fire ring.  There is one vault toilet that was stocked with 'the papers'.  There is NO trash service or cans and NO POTABLE WATER.  There is a tiny creek running nearby if needed.  There is MAYBE one (1) bar of Verizon service, but it is extremely unreliable.  I came here to see the Perseids Meteor Shower, on a Sunday night/Monday, and did not see a soul.

  • Kalah H.
    Sep. 18, 2024

    Lacks Creek BLM

    Amazing place to stay for free with hikes close by

    I loved staying at lacks creek! I had good cell service with att and it was beautiful, quiet and serene. Hikes right by the campsites. Fire pit. No water at all though. Bring your own water. And no bathroom unless you drive like 3 miles down the other way and some of the roads weren't open due to landslides. I drove my honda civic all the way up there. There was a few points I thought I wouldn't make it but sure enough my good ol honda pushed through. Lol Anyways! Highly recommend! Just bring water! Lol

  • Toni  K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 14, 2021

    BLM Dispersed Camping - Lacks Creek

    Free BLM land

    Pretty far drive off a dirt road. The camp spot does have fire rings. There’s a nice running/bike path right in the camp ground. However, there are a lot of ticks. Be careful if you have any animals. 

    Also saw wild horses driving up!

    Drive east on Highway 299 for 17.8 miles from Highway 101. Turn left at the Redwood Valley turn off(Bair Road) and travel 3.9 miles. Make a right turn at the sign that reads"Hoopa- 22 miles", and travel 5.9 miles up this windy gravel road. The entrance is a left turn.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2025

    Redwood Creek Dispersed Camp

    Unable to access

    Access road is gated after a couple of miles, so unable to even get close.

  • Hannah A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2024

    Lacks Creek BLM

    Camping

    Other than the long bumpy dirt road this site was great! Easy to find and great views. Had pretty good cell service with AT&T. Very quiet

  • Jon E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 7, 2025

    BLM Dispersed Camping - Lacks Creek

    Ticks

    BLM land with good signs and maps. The Lacks Creek campground (left turn at the 3-way) is just a gravel parking area. No creek water in early June but lots of ticks. Very hot too. We left after 30 minutes and 6 ticks.


Guide to Fortuna

Lacks Creek Management Area offers free primitive camping near Fortuna, California on BLM land accessible via multiple designated campsites. Visitors follow Pine Ridge Road through forested terrain to reach campsites at approximately 2,500 feet elevation. The area receives significant seasonal rainfall with summer temperatures typically reaching 70-85°F during daytime hours.

What to do

Mountain biking trails: The Lacks Creek BLM area features well-developed trail networks throughout the management area. "The whole BLM management area is well developed and has signs to guide you," notes camper Derrick H., who appreciated the accessible trail system from the campsites.

Wildlife viewing: Deer frequently visit the campgrounds, particularly during early morning and evening hours. At Groves Prairie Dispersed Camp, one camper reported, "We did have a few deer walking through our campsite through the middle of the night, and my dog loved chasing them away."

Stargazing opportunities: The remote location offers minimal light pollution for astronomical viewing. Greg B. at Groves Prairie specifically chose the site for meteor watching: "I came here to see the Perseids Meteor Shower, on a Sunday night/Monday, and did not see a soul."

What campers like

Secluded camping spots: The remoteness appeals to those seeking quiet camping experiences away from crowds. "Wildly peaceful. Read the description in the bio, follow the directions, and you'll find yourself able to choose from a handful of campsites," explains Leah H. at Lacks Creek BLM.

Amenities at remote sites: Many appreciate finding established facilities despite the remote location. Nate T. notes, "Tables, bathroom, and fire pits are in the main area," making this dispersed camping area more comfortable than typical primitive sites.

Evening views: Sunset viewing opportunities rank highly among visitor experiences. One camper described their campsite view: "The sunset was absolutely incredible," highlighting the natural scenery that attracts visitors to these primitive camping areas near Fortuna.

What you should know

Navigation challenges: Finding the correct routes requires attention to signage. At Redwood Creek Dispersed Camp, one visitor warns, "GO TO THE WEBSITE!! if you want to camp here, you MUST get a free permit on the website listed on here. If you do not, you will find yourself at a locked gate you cannot enter."

Insect awareness: Bees and other insects can be prevalent during warmer months. At Groves Prairie Camp, one camper reported, "There is a beehive right above the campsite that we were at so the bees did go a little crazy, but we did not get stung and my dog was OK."

Variable cell service: Communication options differ by location and carrier. Greg B. noted at Groves Prairie Camp: "There is MAYBE one (1) bar of Verizon service, but it is extremely unreliable," which affects emergency planning considerations.

Tips for camping with families

Creek access considerations: When camping with children near water sources, prepare for terrain challenges. At BLM Dispersed Camping - Lacks Creek, visitors need appropriate footwear as one camper noted, "You WILL cross a creek! The rocks are PAINFUL! Bring your sandals!"

Timing considerations: Schedule arrival during daylight hours to navigate unfamiliar roads. "It was a little hard to find, but granted we showed up in the middle of the night so I added to the struggle," explains a camper at Groves Prairie Camp who recommends daytime arrival.

Supply planning: No drinking water exists at most primitive camping sites near Fortuna. "There is NO trash service or cans and NO POTABLE WATER. There is a tiny creek running nearby if needed," notes Greg B., emphasizing the importance of bringing sufficient water.

Tips from RVers

Vehicle clearance requirements: Small to medium RVs navigate some areas better than others. "We even pulled up our rear drop camper and had no issues at all," reports Luke D. at Lacks Creek BLM, suggesting smaller towables can access certain sites.

Length restrictions: Larger RVs face significant challenges on access roads. "Tried to camp here with a 20ft travel trailer and I turned around before I even made it to the gravel road. Road is narrow and steep with low hanging trees," warns Jules S., recommending against bringing larger trailers to primitive camping areas near Fortuna.

Road condition preparation: Access roads require careful driving and appropriate vehicles. Richard B. advises, "The gps was wrong it took me past the turn off and sent me to private property with a locked gate so at the top of the hill look for a clearly marked sign on the left."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fortuna?

Lacks Creek BLM is a popular free dispersed camping area near Fortuna. It features secluded sites along Pine Ridge Road with beautiful views. To reach it, drive east on Highway 299 for about 18 miles from Highway 101. Look for the clearly marked sign at the top of the hill and turn left. At the intersection, take the road to the right and continue uphill. The GPS coordinates can sometimes be misleading, so watch for the BLM signage to guide you.

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Fortuna?

For dispersed camping around Fortuna, most sites require you to follow standard BLM regulations. At Redwood Creek Dispersed Camp, you MUST obtain a free permit in advance from the official website before arriving. Without this permit, you'll encounter locked gates and won't be able to access the camping area. Similarly, in Redwood National Park areas, permits are required. Always pack out all trash, follow fire restrictions (use established fire rings only when permitted), and practice Leave No Trace principles.

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites near Fortuna?

Amenities at dispersed sites near Fortuna are basic. Groves Prairie Dispersed Camp is secluded but worth finding for its natural setting. At 44 Backcountry Camp in Redwood National Park, you'll find picnic tables and bear lockers. Most dispersed sites have fire rings, and some include picnic tables. Restroom facilities are limited or non-existent (some areas have basic vault toilets). There's typically no water available, so bring all you need. Cell service varies by location, with Lacks Creek area reporting good AT&T coverage.