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Best Dispersed Camping near Kaweah, CA

188 Reviews

Several dispersed camping areas exist in the vicinity of Kaweah, California, primarily within Sequoia National Forest lands. Free camping is permitted along various forest service roads including 13S09 (Ten Mile Road), 14S11, and 14S29, with sites typically marked by stone fire rings. These primitive areas provide alternatives to established campgrounds, especially during the off-season when formal campgrounds may be closed. Most dispersed sites are located along dirt roads that branch off from the main General Highway, allowing campers to find secluded spots within the forest.

Many forest roads in this region require careful navigation, particularly after rain or during winter months when ice and snow can make access challenging. Several reviewers noted seasonal closures, with Forest Road 14S29 sometimes closed due to ice and snow during winter months. Most sites are uneven and not level, requiring chocks or careful positioning for RVs and vans. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for some areas, though passenger cars can reach many sites during dry conditions. No amenities are provided at most locations - no running water, trash service, or hookups are available, though Forest Road 14S11 North Camp does feature vault toilets.

The dispersed camping experience near Kaweah offers privacy and natural immersion. "Beautiful, quiet & remote location! Very limited and spotty cell service," noted one camper about Sequoia Boondock. Sites vary in size and capacity, with Forest Road 14S29 described as "a small site with room for 4 vans max, ideal for 3." Despite the primitive conditions, many campers appreciate the solitude. "We were alone but the spot is big enough for 3 or 4 vehicles," mentioned a visitor to the Ten Mile Road area. Wildlife activity is common, with some campers reporting evidence of bears. Most sites feature existing fire rings, though fire permits are required and seasonal fire restrictions may apply. Visitors should be prepared with all necessary supplies as services are limited in this remote region.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Kaweah, California (60)

    1. FS Road 13s09 Dispersed Camp - Ten Mile Road

    9 Reviews
    Hume, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 338-2251

    "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."

    "Nice quiet spot right outside the park!"

    2. Forest Road 14S11 North Camp

    7 Reviews
    Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, CA
    17 miles

    "Usually when a dispersed site is marked Big Rig Friendly, we'll find that there is a large paved or gravel area for us to pull into and setup before you get to dirt road or off-road sites."

    "I found a spot with good sun for my solar panels."

    3. Forest Rd 14S29

    6 Reviews
    Hartland, CA
    15 miles

    "Quiet place on dirt, not really levelled but fine for a night and easily accessible with any car."

    4. Cherry Gap OHV Staging Area

    11 Reviews
    Hume, CA
    21 miles
    Website

    "About 200 feet further a little area that you can pull off. I’m driving a 170 wheelbase extended Sprinter and had a little difficulty to get in. Anything larger will be difficult. But great spot."

    "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."

    5. Sequoia Boondock

    1 Review
    Hartland, CA
    13 miles

    "Beautiful, quiet & remote location! Very limited and spotty cell service so difficult to pin exactly."

    6. Buck Rock Campground

    3 Reviews
    Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, CA
    18 miles

    "Great variety of campsites with views of the mounatins and some sites well surrounded by trees. Large rocks provide cool comfy place to lay down."

    "Great location in Joshua Tree but 20 minutes from west entrance. Large pull through sites semi-level. Clean restrooms with flush toilets and running water."

    7. Alabama Hills Recreation Area

    87 Reviews
    Lone Pine, CA
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 872-5000

    "Location- ALABAMA HILLS, Lone Pine- Movie Rd. CA. Tent Dry Camping. BLM Land, for disperse camping. No reservations required, unless you choose to stay at a “campground”."

    "Camped in the dispersed camping area late April. This place is beautiful! No facilities so bring your water, bathroom equipment, cooking and cleaning supplies."

    8. Sequoia Forest Hunting Area - FS 13597

    5 Reviews
    Dunlap, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 784-1500

    "We were lucky there was enough room to pass plus in the dark you can see what’s coming as other reviews mention, the road in is narrow in parts and around 1 mile before you get to the camp ground."

    "Everything else was a little bit of a drive away

    You have to get up a steep incline, right road off of the main road and the road is narrow. It was not our favorite part."

    9. big meadows horse camp

    1 Review
    Hume, CA
    18 miles

    "I’ve camped here before, but not since it has been taken over by the BackCountry horsemen - San Joaquin Sierra unit."

    10. Pear Lake Campsites — Sequoia National Park

    1 Review
    Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, CA
    17 miles
    Website

    "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"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Kaweah, CA

119 Photos of 60 Kaweah Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Kaweah, CA

188 Reviews of 60 Kaweah Campgrounds

  • Nissa N.
    Jun. 11, 2020

    Alabama Hills Recreation Area

    Incredible disperse Camping

    Location- ALABAMA HILLS, Lone Pine- Movie Rd. CA. Tent Dry Camping. BLM Land, for disperse camping. No reservations required, unless you choose to stay at a “campground”.

    Absolutely breathtaking place, it feels like you’ve landed on another planet or as if you’ve been taken back into time, to the early dawn of mankind days. This was our first disperse/dry camping and I wouldn’t camp any other way, it was marvelous.

    Directions- Once at Alabama Hills, Take Hwy 395 to Lone Pine. (it’s a proper town with restaurants/ grocery stores/ car workshops). Turn west at the stoplight onto Whitney Portal Road, drive 2.5 miles to Movie Road, turn right & the road turns into a “well groomed dirt path” from that point onwards “The world is your oyster! You can basically set up camp anywhere. As you drive down the groomed dirt path, there are multiple exits to various dirt paths leading inwards, where you can pick your spot to set up camp.

    One very important thing is you MUST come here in a GOOD condition 4WD! There’s NO other way. You don’t want to get WHEELS stuck on the dirt path. We had rented a 4WD for the weekend.

    We camped about 3miles in Movie Rd. Another good thing is if you run out of any supplies or have car trouble “Lone Pine” town is nearby you can drive over in minutes or call for any help. Phone service & wifi is available only on the groomed dirt path, also a bit unstable, however manageable for a call or text. So you’ll have to walk out of your campsite back to main rd.

    It’s wonderful to go on hikes and explore during the day, that’s what we did. Evenings we’d sit around fire and cook dinner. Then at night time S’mores time! (we have a camp fire permit) you get it online.

    Another important item to have around is a sturdy SHOVEL, as it’s very sandy here and the shovel is very multi-purpose, well at any camp for that matter. Bring Plenty of WATER, it’s very dry out here. As there are no water taps around, unless you head back to Lone Pine. Also you MUST clean up after, bring along a few trash bags or a bin, to clear up before you leave. LEAVE no Trace. Keep nature clean.

    This is purely disperse camping. You’ll have to bring everything of your own. Our camp was a 3days/ 2nights. Arrived on Friday and left on Sunday morning. Waking up every morning to this spectacular view, is pure bliss! We’d definitely be coming back here a few more times! If you haven’t already then hop on a 4WD and head over to Alabama Hills!

  • goose10091203 The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 9, 2025

    Forest Road 13S02 Dispersed Site

    Great spot near the road

    Was a great place to stay. Plenty of shade for you, plenty of sun for you solar panel. Load road, you camp near the side, but it's not heavily trafficked even on the weekends. They are many spots nearby. Some really pretty of you walk and camp. Most are car accessible and has amazing views! Totally recommend

  • Popeye F.
    Sep. 6, 2022

    Dispersed Camping

    San Bernardino National Forest

    Dispersed camping at a Yellow Post campsite was great. About 4 mi. of washboard dirt road past Heart Bar Campground to Yellow post site #6. No amenities other than a picnic table and a fire ring. That means, bring plenty of water and a port-a-potty. There is no fee, however, you need to go on line to get a fire permit, which is necessary even for a propane stove. Actually, the fire permit is for anything that has a flame. This trip was over Labor Day weekend of 2022 and the use of the fire pit was forbidden at that time due to high fire hazard conditions. The campsites are quite far apart so you feel a sense of privacy. However, you will see vehicles and or horses go by on the road next to the campsite. Some of the vehicles drive fast on the dirt road which can kick up dust clouds. This is only a problem if you are downwind. The temperature was about 83 for a high and 55 for a low and the wind was light and comfortable. We were glad we had our canopy. The canopy has bug screens on 4 sides but the bugs were not too bad. We used lemon grass bug spray repellent and were comfortable. This campground is away from light sources making it great for stargazing. We enjoyed the campsite so much that we just hung out and relaxed there all weekend ...no hikes or trips away from the campsite. We hung a couple of hammocks with tarps for shade but backed our teardrop under a naturally shaded area of the campsite. We will probably camp there again. If you are not into dispersed camping, there are several campgrounds nearby. Heart Bar campground is huge with amenities and South Fork Family Campground is nice with more shade and a small stream running through. The parking for rv's at South Fork is a bit short at some of the campsites. Best to check the length for a match with your gear. This area is great for camping but make sure you have everything you need as there is no grocery store at the corner. Happy camping..!

  • E
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Dispersed Camp near Sequoia National Park

    Quiet & Nice Camping Site

    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.

  • J
    Apr. 27, 2017

    Alabama Hills Recreation Area

    Peaceful

    Camped in the dispersed camping area late April. This place is beautiful! No facilities so bring your water, bathroom equipment, cooking and cleaning supplies. The wind picks up in the afternoon so the tent was put to the test. We wrapped our sleeping bags up so the dust wouldn't accumulate on/ inside them. If your looking for quiet and close by rock climbing, here is the place!

  • Rachel W.
    Aug. 14, 2020

    Alabama Hills Recreation Area

    Unworldly. Tranquil. Amazing

    Everything about Alabama Hills is incredible. From the moment you drive down Whitney Portal Rd to Movie Rd, it has uniquely amazing views. Movie Rd has the best dispersed camp spots. All with amazing views. SUV would probably be best for navigating the roads or at least 4x4. They’re all pretty far apart so they’re private. It’s so quiet at night you could hear a pin drop. The stars and the Milky Way are insane! So many constellations and shooting stars and satellites. Sunset was amazing over Mt. Whitney. The moon rise was quite the experience. Then sunrise... it was all just so beautiful!! Highly highly recommended! Pack lots of water! Lone Pine is nearby for firewood. But I think fires are currently restricted! As always pack it in and pack it out. Leave no trace!

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 3, 2021

    Independence BLM Dispersed

    Free dispersed camping outside of Independence, CA

    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.

  • Amber D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 7, 2019

    Alabama Hills Recreation Area

    The VIEWS!!!

    High desert meets Sierra Nevadas in a magical rock playground with views of My Whitney. This spot literally has it all. Right off the 395, you have access to civilization and amenities. It's dispersed camping, but heavily used sites are well established. The deeper into the park you venture, the more primitive and less crowded it becomes. Take a quick drive and you're at Whitney Portal. We lucked out and had 360 degrees of the best views ever! Loads to do here. Popular for rock climbing, hiking, spectacular night sky, wildflowers, photography. Even though it's right off the highway you feel like you're on another planet. No facilities. Pack it in, pack it out. Hands down, one of the best camp spots I've ever had!

  • Brenda
    Mar. 26, 2021

    Alabama Hills Recreation Area

    Beautiful

    Great place. Snowed a bit on the first day but had beautiful views of Mt. Whitney. For sure a popular place but we were able to find a nice place to set up, and still not have neighbors nearby. Check out their IG @alabama_hills and practice leave no trace.

Guide to Kaweah

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Kaweah, California, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With stunning views and a variety of landscapes, these locations offer a perfect escape into the wilderness.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Kaweah, California

Scenic views and outdoor activities for dispersed campers

Dispersed campers should check out Forest Road locations

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping at Lake Kaweah?

Lake Kaweah offers dispersed camping options near Sequoia National Park. A popular location is the Dispersed Camp near Sequoia National Park, located just a 5-minute drive from the Giants Trail entrance. This free area features a main clearing at the end of a dirt access road with excellent views. For additional options, check out Forest Road 13S02 Dispersed Site, which provides plenty of shade and is car accessible with stunning views. While these sites don't require reservations, it's best to arrive early, especially on weekends, as spots can fill quickly during peak seasons.

What amenities are available for dispersed camping at Lake Kaweah?

Dispersed camping at Lake Kaweah is primitive with minimal amenities. At Sequoia Forest Hunting Area - FS 13597, you'll find no services - you must bring all supplies including water, food, and waste disposal equipment. Some Yellow Post sites like those mentioned at Independence BLM Dispersed may offer basic fire rings and picnic tables, but no water, electricity, or toilet facilities. Plan to bring a portable toilet, plenty of water (at least one gallon per person per day), cooking equipment, and trash bags. Cell service is typically limited, so download offline maps before arrival. These sites offer solitude and natural beauty in exchange for self-sufficiency.

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping at Lake Kaweah?

When dispersed camping at Lake Kaweah, you must follow Leave No Trace principles. Most areas are on BLM land and don't require reservations for dispersed camping. At Yellow Post sites, you'll need to obtain a campfire permit in advance. Camping is typically limited to 14 days in a 28-day period. Some areas like Forest Rd 14S29 are free but may have seasonal closures during fire restrictions. Always check current regulations before your trip, pack out all trash, use existing fire rings where permitted, and camp at least 200 feet from water sources. Campfires may be prohibited during dry seasons or high fire danger periods.

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