Dispersed camping near Hume, California provides primitive campsites throughout Sequoia National Forest at elevations ranging from 5,500 to 7,000 feet. The area experiences significant seasonal temperature variations with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Forest roads accessing these sites are typically open May through October, with seasonal closures due to snow at higher elevations.
What to do
Fire tower visit: Climb the historic Delilah lookout tower near the Sequoia Forest Hunting Area for panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada range. One visitor noted, "The coolest thing was the fire tower called Delilah lookout. Highly recommend! Great place for a 2 night stay especially if you have a dirtbike/enduro."
Chicago Stump exploration: Walk to this historic site from Cherry Gap OHV Staging Area, where a giant sequoia was cut for the 1893 World's Fair. "Very close to the Chicago stump! Lots of wood laying around also," mentions one camper, while another adds it's "a quick walk to the Chicago Stump which is a must see."
Waterfall hikes: Multiple small seasonal waterfalls are accessible within walking distance of Forest Road 13S02 dispersed sites. "There's a stream and waterfall downhill that makes for great hikes," reports one camper who enjoyed exploring the area with dogs.
What campers like
Solitude and space: The Forest Road 14S11 North Camp area provides numerous private camping spots. "You can park along the entire road. A lot of spots," notes one camper, while another mentions "there are many spaces alongside this forest road, there are lots of trees, so you feel private though there were quite many people camping alongside the road."
Star viewing: Clear mountain skies offer exceptional stargazing opportunities from many dispersed sites. A camper at Forest Road 14S11 North Camp reported, "Great view on the night sky."
Wildlife viewing: The forested terrain supports diverse wildlife. One experienced camper at Buck Rock Campground described, "The entire buck rock area is very foresty and thick. Great variety of campsites with views of the mountains and some sites well surrounded by trees."
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations vary seasonally and by location; permits are mandatory year-round. A camper at Sequoia National Forest 13S08 notes, "Permits needed for ALL fires (camp, and propane stoves)."
Road conditions: Access to many sites requires navigating narrow forest roads. A visitor to Cherry Gap OHV Staging Area explained, "Took the road a little bit further than the pinpoint where there was a split and took a left... I'm driving a 170 wheelbase extended Sprinter and had a little difficulty to get in. Anything larger will be difficult."
Finding sites: GPS coordinates may not always lead directly to dispersed sites. One camper reported, "We had a problem to find this place. You have to turn onto the road 13s03 direction Chicago stump," while another noted, "Had a little trouble pinpointing exactly where it was even with the coordinates but once I found it and set up it was a nice quiet camp spot."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose established sites with existing fire rings when traveling with children. At Forest Road 13S09, one camper noted, "Nice big camp spot in the Sequoia National Forest... The spot has firepits, a camping table and loads of bushes."
Seasonal planning: Mid-April through June offers wildflowers but may have limited access due to snow. A visitor to Forest Rd 14S29 in May mentioned, "Still some snow around in May," while another reported being "closed due to ice for the winter upon arrival. No way to check until you get there."
Wildlife precautions: Teach children proper food storage practices. At Buck Rock Campground, a camper observed, "Although many peaceful but giant ants scour the grounds for food to bring back to their home," highlighting the importance of keeping food secured.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs only. At Forest Road 14S11 North Camp, one RVer cautioned, "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."
Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks as most sites have uneven terrain. A camper at Forest Rd 14S29 advised, "Quiet place on dirt, not really levelled but fine for a night and easily accessible with any car."
Cell coverage: Limited but available cell service at select locations aids navigation. At Road to Armenian Camp, a camper reported, "We had 2 bars of Verizon and intermittent T-Mobile signal. 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."
