Best Dispersed Camping near Kaweah Lake, CA

We stopped here after we found that all the sites along the Kern were full. It is just North of Johnsondale and just South of the National Forest. Easy driving access to Trail of a Thousand Giants, Moro Rock, and views of the Needles. 

We camped out under the stars just after sundown and got up right after Sunrise. No one else camp out near our spot. The road is littered with turn offs for easy and free dispersed camping.

Closest bathrooms are either on the Trail of a Hundred Giants (there is a campground there too but it is closed in Winter) or down in Johnsondale.

Independence is on Hwy 395 about an hour south of Bishop and about half an hour north of Alabama Hills.  Which is to say it's a great location with a lot of places to explore and hike.  

This land is a good spot to stay for a few nights while exploring the area, or if you just need a free place to sleep.  The spot we marked here is about 2 miles west of Independence, but there are a few other cleared out areas that you can camp on, just check Google satellite maps.  We didn't see anyone else camping on the BLM land while we stayed here, but we saw a lot of people driving up and down Onion Valley Rd.

The area is clean and very quiet, zero shade and zero amenities.  Please help keep it clean by packing out your trash.

Some of the dirt roads might need a high clearance vehicle but on the spot I've marked we made it fine in our 26ft motorhome.

Nice big camp spot in the Sequoia National Forest, the road was really calm mid-April, we had no car during the night. The spot has firepits, a camping table and loads of bushes. The view is nice on the forest or a mountain top. We were alone but the spot is big enough for 3 or 4 véhicules, the access is just before the U turn.

Nice open spaces with tree cover near Hume Lake off the 180. This is a dispersed camping and OHV staging area that is first come first served for camping. Great for those who are backpacking and need a free place to camp before heading off into the Sierras! Most Parks have “backpacker camps” which allow you to camp 1 night before or after a backpacking trip, but Sequoia does not. This dispersed camping area is perfect for staging your next big hike, or simply camping for free in one of the most popular National Parks.

My wife and I love this location and definitely will come back. There was only one other camper and they were 50 yards away. Relaxing creek runs through the campsite, allowing access to a fresh water source. On the other side of the creek there is a gorgeous clearing that opens up to a blue sky with wispy clouds. You will be at 7000ft elevation so dress warm. Only issue we ran into was in order to get to the camp spots you have to squeeze your vehicle through two trees because a large fallen tree has blocked the original entrance path. Hopefully the forestry is able to remove it. No worries tho, my full size truck was able to get through it so you shouldn't have any problems. A wonderful spot for small and large camping groups. Also there is a hot springs store on the way up there. Recommend stopping there for any last minute supplies. They have everything you need for disperse camping.

Super convenient free camping between Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. A park ranger directed me here when all the campgrounds in the park were full. There are sites all along the road,  but the first at the junction is great and big enough for a small RV. Also a quick walk to the Chicago Stump which is a must see.

Directions didn’t lead me to any dispersed camping but I did find just an ok spot along the road. Don’t know if where I camped was allowed but I did anyway

We have always been avid tent campers. Fall of 2019 we decided to purchase a trailer. Don't get me wrong. We love every amenity it brings but we have been missing something. I decided even with this whole Covid 19 pandemic I would take the family on a quick outing. Away from everyone. To unplug. We decided no trailer. Let's go explore. That is what we did. We finally came upon Upper Peppermint Dispersed camping and said this was it. Very spacious campsite next to the stream. Only one family when we arrived Friday mid day. When we left Sunday morning there might have been 2 more sites being used. If you want to go off grid but be close to a few cool spots this is the place. Dome Rock is minutes away. Trail of a hundred Giants is about 30 minutes south. Only reason I put 4 stars is because the fire regulations at these times. Sheriff told us fires aren't really allowed. There were also signs posted. That's what we planned to cook on so we took our chances.

Nice quiet boondocking area downhill off the road. It’s all dust roads so AWD would be best, but we did make it in our van. Slid backwards down the hill kicking up dust a couple of times trying to get out the next day, but we made it! Would have been another story if it had rained. Regardless they were gorgeous tucked in spots among the trees. Woke up to cattle walking through the meadow we parked next to. About a mile or two from the Trail of 100 Giants Sequoia trailhead so that was really nice beating the crowds there in the AM. Brisk at night even in the summer.

We stopped here on our way through Sequoia Nat’l Forest and loved it. The water is super clear and nice! We were the only ones staying here, so it was very quiet and calming. A handful of camping spots around this area, well worth the stay!

Not for big rigs! A very primitive but beautiful area. Tons of winding roads with lots of S curves Leading up to 9000 feet. Many great camping spots including close to Peppermint Creek. Completely dry area so no campfires until November. No services and no reception so pack it in and pack it out!

This camping site is a nice free area super close to the Giants Trail entrance (5 minute drive). As you head in you go thru a little dirt road and at the end you see an opening for this site. There is one site located right at the start of the access road but with no views. The main area is cleared to pitch your camping tent. There are no trash cans around or toilets (closest is entrance of Giants trail) but trash may be near at the other camp sites. I did have to put my trash in the tree with a rope about 20-50ft away just for safety. Make sure you don’t keep anything smelly in your tent or around your truck because there is a local bear that comes by in the middle of the night when everyone’s sleeping. The Bear didn’t tamper with my ground tent but I ended up sleeping in my camper due to it being too cold. Although, I did hear the next campers yell out bear for safety. But nothing to worry about if you pack in and pack out and are respectful. The stream and meadow is beautiful. I would recommend this to anyone looking to have a secluded quite area that some ppl may not come to due to the friendly bear wink.

Chico Flat Dispersed Campsite offers many areas with flat ground to tent upon, as well as a large parking lot to car camp if that’s your thing. However there aren’t loads of trees to hammock camp on. You cannot build a campfire here. There is a pit toilet. There is river access right next to the campsite. There is also spotty cell reception if you want that.

Let it be known, this campsite is not clean. The previous campers that came long before me left two things: trash, and a message. There was a menagerie of bottle caps and broken glass strewn practically everywhere for me to pick up. This can be said for dare I say everywhere in this whole campsite. Additionally, this trash acted as a proverbial “go ahead” for other people to litter and make the litter situation worse; not cool.

If you want to really get away from people, don’t come here. When I went people brought the whole kit-and-kaboodle: a suburb of tents, gas generators, bright lights, loud music, etcetera.

Perhaps this isn’t how this site always is, but man it got crowded, noisy, and annoying. I’ll spare you from the whole story.

If you’re looking for a quick spot to crash, look no further. If you’re intent on bringing generators, lights, dogs and speakers, this is unfortunately for you. If you’re looking to get away and spend time in nature like myself, this isn’t for you.

First off this place is a bit hard to find, but there is a sign on the right and if you miss that sign then you probably won’t find this spot. Overall I recommend going super early because there is always neighbors around and the best spot is next to the big rocks which is a bit secluded from the other campgrounds. There is plenty of shade there unlike the other spots. I like camping here because you can just walk down to the river which is always enjoyable. We always catch great fish here trout, catfish, bass.

-Open year round.

-Reservations: First come first served. Free of charge.

-Permit Info: Campfire Permits required for campfires, barbeques, and camp stoves.

Best Season: Summer Busiest Season: Summer

Restrictions: Camping is permitted 25 feet away from waters edge.

Water: No Restroom: Portable Toilets

No garbage service so pack all your trash out.

I provided a photo of a camper who left all there trash there. If you see that make sure to take pics of their license plates.

Secluded with very little traffic. Especially good if you're traveling with dogs to let them roam around. There's a stream and waterfall downhill that makes for great hikes.

Nice 6.5ish hike out to a beautiful subalpine lake. Campsite are scattered around the edge of pear lake with granite mountains surrounding the area. Trout in the lake also

I was surprised how vacant this location was. It was absolutely gorgeous and the stars were unreal! There seemed to be a lot of campsites very far from each other. We only saw one other person

We found this place after not being able to find our resent campground and I’m glad we found it. It is secluded from other campgrounds. If you keep going on the road to your right once you enter you will come across more campgrounds. There is lots of room there. There were other campers there so we decided to stay here.

You can hike down couple feet and you will come across the running creek. We had couple visitors stop by at night ( yes they were animals) 😁 we saw a bear and a possum so make sure you store your trash just above a tree. Don’t get scared because you are in their territory. Anyways I really enjoyed being in this camp. It does get cold here because of the elevation but once the sun comes out it’s nice and warm.