Dispersed camping near Goshen, California centers around forest service roads in the Sierra Nevada foothills between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Most sites sit at elevations between 6,000-7,000 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures with nighttime lows that can drop below 40°F even in July. Roads vary from paved to rough dirt tracks that become challenging after rainfall, with several routes having limited passing space.
What to do
Visit Chicago Stump: The historic Chicago Stump is accessible from Cherry Gap OHV Staging Area on Road 13S03. "Easy to find if you turn on that road leading to Chicago stump. Keep driving down and you'll see dispersed camping spots," notes one Cherry Gap OHV Staging Area visitor.
Explore OHV trails: The region contains extensive off-highway vehicle routes. "The next day I road all over the trails. The coolest thing was the fire tower called Delilah lookout. Highly recommend!" reports a camper at Sequoia Forest Hunting Area.
Waterfall hiking: Several streams in the area feed seasonal waterfalls. "There's a stream and waterfall downhill that makes for great hikes," notes a visitor to Forest Road 13S02, making it ideal for day excursions from camp.
What campers like
Established fire rings: Many dispersed sites feature stone fire rings. "Beautiful, quiet & remote location! Campfire stones rings available," writes a camper at Sequoia Boondock, though they note the importance of proper fire safety.
Cell service at higher elevations: Some sites offer workable connectivity. "This spot is flat, large (fits 2 big rigs at least) and has T-mobile and Verizon reception," reports a camper at Sequoia Forest Hunting Area, making it suitable for those needing to stay connected.
Solitude during weekdays: Most sites see limited traffic Monday through Thursday. "We had the place to ourselves in our campervan, there was room for a few more vehicles," notes a visitor to Sequoia Forest Hunting Area - FS 13597, highlighting the privacy available.
What you should know
Road navigation challenges: Forest routes can become problematic, especially for larger vehicles. "While the road to get up there is a bit nerve wracking (hoping no one comes around those corners the other direction!) It's worth taking it slow and steady," advises a camper at Sequoia Forest Hunting Area.
Bears active in the area: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage. "There were also some signs of bear activity (bags clawed through) but we didn't see any," reports a Sequoia Boondock visitor.
Campsite availability varies by season: Snow closures affect access well into spring. "Came here with some buddies in mid-April of 2025. The main road was closed past the picnic area, severely limiting the number of spots," shares a visitor to Forest Road 14S11 North Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Look for established sites with tables: Some dispersed locations feature basic amenities. "The spot has firepits, a camping table and loads of bushes," notes a camper at FS Road 13s09, making it more comfortable for families with children.
Choose locations with toilets nearby: While most dispersed sites lack facilities, some areas provide vault toilets. "There is a bathroom so that was nice. Right off of the main road that goes throughout the whole park," mentions a Forest Road 14S11 North Camp visitor.
Plan for variable weather: Temperature swings can be dramatic. "Weather at this place is perfect during hot seasons, due to the higher elevations. Usually chilly at night, specially around the 3-4am times," notes a Buck Rock Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations for larger rigs: Many dispersed sites accommodate only smaller RVs. "This is a really nice area for camping on the side of the road here, but we only could've squeezed our 39ft Class A into maybe 2 of these spots," warns a visitor to Forest Rd 14S29.
Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for uneven terrain. "We used to chocks to level up as it's pretty uneven in parts," advises an RVer at Forest Rd 14S29.
Dump station planning: No facilities exist in the immediate dispersed camping areas. "The nearest dump station is at Sequoia RV Park in Dunlap, you just drop $20 in their box and use any available site they have," shares a helpful Sequoia Forest Hunting Area camper.
