Best Dispersed Camping near Greenwood, CA
Several dispersed camping sites can be found in the forest lands surrounding Greenwood, California, primarily in the Eldorado National Forest. Free camping options include Independence Hill, Union Valley Reservoir, Mormon Emigrant Trail, Silver Fork, and areas near Loch Leven Lakes. These sites are situated on U.S. Forest Service managed land, with most featuring primitive pull-off areas along forest roads. Some locations like Bowman Lake and Union Valley Reservoir provide lakeside camping opportunities, while others like Silver Fork offer riverside sites with small beach access points.
Access roads to many of these dispersed sites require careful navigation, with some routes demanding high-clearance or 4WD vehicles. The road to Iowa Hill is particularly challenging, while others like Silver Fork are accessible via paved roads. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with some areas like Mormon Emigrant Trail and Silver Fork having complete fire bans at times. Most sites lack amenities entirely - no toilets, trash service, or potable water are available. Visitors must pack out all waste and bring their own supplies. Campers should check current fire regulations and obtain any required permits through recreation.gov before visiting.
The dispersed camping experience near Greenwood offers varied terrain and conditions across different elevations. Higher altitude sites like Loch Leven Lakes (accessible only by hiking) provide cooler temperatures and alpine lake settings, while lower elevation spots along Silver Fork River feature water access. Weather conditions change dramatically with elevation and season - snow can persist at Grouse Ridge well into June. Privacy levels differ between locations, with some visitors noting "endless possibilities" at Silver Fork Dispersed where "human trace is non-existent" besides established fire rings. Meanwhile, other areas may have challenges: "There was trash EVERYWHERE" at Union Valley Reservoir according to one camper, while another noted the area has "plenty of dispersed camping spots all the way around the lake."
