Best Dispersed Camping near Guinda, CA
Several free dispersed camping areas surround Clear Lake, approximately 30 miles northwest of Guinda, California. Lakeview Dispersed Campground offers the most developed free sites, accessible via High Valley Road, though visitors note the access route requires careful navigation. A camper wrote, "The road was challenging. It was steep with loose dirt in spots." The area provides limited amenities—no drinking water, toilets, or trash service—but allows fires when restrictions aren't in place and accommodates both tents and RVs.
Additional dispersed options include Cowboy Camp with basic pit toilets, BLM Sheldon Creek with picnic tables and toilets, and High Valley Road Dispersed camping. Most sites require high-clearance vehicles to access, particularly after rain. According to one visitor, "The gravel roads here are open again and easy to drive on. All wheel drive is helpful, but we saw some people with a Prius up there." Cell service is generally available throughout the region, but summer temperatures can be extremely hot, and seasonal closures affect some sites. Cowboy Camp has experienced periodic closures, with recent reviews indicating gates were locked during certain periods.
