Dispersed camping near Green Valley, California offers camping options across public lands managed by Angeles National Forest and Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. These primitive sites typically sit at elevations between 2,500-6,000 feet, experiencing hot, dry summers and occasional winter snowfall at higher elevations. Cell service varies dramatically between locations, with reception strongest at roadside overlooks and nearly nonexistent in remote canyon areas.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Several primitive campsites provide access to seasonal swimming holes and waterfalls. Big Cone Camp serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring Santa Paula Canyon's "punch bowls" with multiple pools for cliff jumping and natural water slides. As one visitor explained, "From Big Cone Camp you can easily reach the waterfalls and pools that make this area known as the 'punch bowls'. Depending on weather and water conditions there are some nice water rock slides, and a few pools you can jump from the cliffs into."
Stargazing: East Mojave Camp offers exceptional dark sky viewing with minimal light pollution when camping away from Highway 58. The open desert terrain provides unobstructed horizon views. "Beautiful sunrise. We were the only people there," reports one camper about the isolation that makes this spot ideal for night sky photography.
Vehicle recreation: Free camping at Hungry Valley SVRA provides direct access to OHV trails. Aliklik Campground serves as a convenient basecamp for day trips on the extensive trail network. This area permits motorcycle, ATV, and 4x4 vehicle use on designated routes, making it popular with motorized recreation enthusiasts.
What campers like
City views: Angeles Crest Overlook draws campers seeking dramatic urban panoramas. "The view is gorgeous in the morning sunrise! I'd use it again if I needed it as it's hard to find free places to sleep with a great view like that when traveling through cities," writes one visitor. The site functions primarily as roadside car camping rather than a traditional tent site.
Remote solitude: Campers seeking isolation appreciate East Mojave Camp's distance from population centers. "Very remote absolutely nothing out there. You can get far enough away from the highway that you don't need to worry about people driving by," notes a reviewer. This primitive camping area near Green Valley allows visitors to completely disconnect from urban environments.
Natural swimming: Big Cone Camp attracts hikers seeking natural water features. The moderate 3-mile hike rewards visitors with access to multiple swimming holes. "It is one of my favorite spots simply because it is close and when my kids were young it was a fairly easy hike to get to, and there's a nice reward when you get there," reports a regular visitor.
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Many dispersed sites demand high-clearance vehicles. East Mojave Camp presents particular challenges with "Huge ruts in dirt road" and multiple reviewers noting the access road is "unmarked and very unmaintained" with significant "wash outs" requiring careful navigation around obstacles.
Forest regulations: Primitive camping rules change frequently based on fire danger, seasonal conditions, and forest orders. Heaton Flats exemplifies this variability. "Camping outside established campgrounds within the Angeles National Forest is sometimes prohibited, you have to be on top of reading recently published orders," advises one camper. The Angeles National Forest website posts current restrictions.
Safety concerns: Several roadside camping areas report late-night visitors and unsafe driving behaviors. Angeles Crest Overlook reviews mention "kids do tend to party up here and drive about 100 miles an hour up and down the road all hours of the night" and "there's a white van that teams up with a black truck they tried to break in my car while I was sleeping."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly hikes: Select sites with manageable approach distances for younger children. Big Cone Camp provides a moderate hiking experience with natural attractions. "When my kids were young it was a fairly easy hike to get to, and there's a nice reward when you get there," notes a parent who frequently visited with children.
Noise considerations: Cottonwood Campground at Hungry Valley SVRA offers designated camping areas separate from OHV riding zones, providing families quieter alternatives within an otherwise activity-focused recreation area. The campground includes basic vault toilets and trash service uncommon at most primitive sites.
Water safety: Natural swimming holes present both opportunities and hazards. Parents should scout water depth and current conditions before allowing swimming. Big Cone Camp's punch bowls fluctuate seasonally, with some visitors noting "Depending on weather and water conditions there are some nice water rock slides."
Tips from RVers
Overnight parking: Angeles Crest Overlook functions well for self-contained vans and smaller RVs needing overnight parking near urban areas. "Perfect last minute late night hold over stop," writes one RVer who used the area as a temporary base. Another notes, "When I stayed, there were no other people who stayed the night, but quite a few people came throughout the night just for 20 minutes at a time or so."
Site selection: Smaller rigs should position away from popular parking areas to minimize disruption. One van dweller reports, "Great view but on the weekend we had multiple cars doing donuts really close to our van. I felt uncomfortable with that. Next night we moved to the other look out and someone still did donuts behind us."
Boondocking preparation: No primitive camping areas near Green Valley provide water, hookups or dump stations. All dispersed sites require complete self-sufficiency for overnight stays. The closest developed RV campgrounds with facilities are located at Pyramid Lake, approximately 20 miles northwest.
