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Best Dispersed Camping near Kings Beach, CA

104 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Kings Beach, California is available on both California and Nevada public lands, with several primitive sites located within 30-60 minutes of Lake Tahoe. The Granite Chief Wilderness offers tent camping with both drive-in and walk-in access points, while Bear Lake Road provides similar primitive camping options. Several dispersed areas can be found in the surrounding national forests and BLM lands, including Dog Valley and Kyburz Flats to the north and various BLM-managed areas extending into western Nevada.

Most dispersed sites require careful navigation on unpaved roads with varying conditions. Granite Chief Wilderness access deteriorates from pavement to rough 4x4 terrain, with one reviewer noting it was "hard to get to" as "road turns from pavement to 4x4." Similarly, Nevada's BLM Flattop and Reno View sites have challenging access roads, with a visitor describing Reno View's road as "a beast" that should not be attempted with RVs or trailers. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for most locations. These areas typically lack amenities, with no drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, though many areas permit campfires when conditions allow.

The primitive camping experience around Kings Beach offers scenic value despite access challenges. Visitors to Granite Chief Wilderness praised the "absolutely beautiful" setting, especially dramatic during seasonal transitions when "overnight at some point turned into the first snow." Many sites provide elevation gains with expansive views, particularly at Reno View where campers noted "views are unreal" and appreciated the nighttime city lights. Dog Valley represents a popular quick escape from nearby urban areas, with one visitor calling it their "favorite quick escape from town." Kyburz Flats received positive reviews for its open landscapes, with a camper describing it as "quiet woods and fields" accessible via "rough" roads that are manageable with higher clearance vehicles in dry conditions.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Kings Beach, California (37)

    1. Reno View Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Virginia City, NV
    18 miles

    "The first turn off has the best view with somewhat flat ground for a tent. Very rocky ground and a little windy so ground tents might be tough. RTT and campervans are perfect for this spot!"

    "I would not drive it with any vehicle other than SUV/Truck. DO NOT bring up an RV/Trailer. you’ll regret it. we stayed and car camped. an awesome view of the lights of Reno."

    2. Tahoe Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Verdi, NV
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 587-3558

    "The turn off to the dirt road was 300 ft past where the app said it was. Once we got deeper into the forest my gps wasn’t on the the route depicted on Dyrt, but it’s a fun trail."

    3. Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Tahoma, CA
    18 miles
    Website

    4. BLM FLATTOP

    3 Reviews
    Virginia City, NV
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (775) 885-6000

    5. Big Dog Valley

    4 Reviews
    Verdi, NV
    22 miles
    Website

    6. Bear Lake Rd. Dispersed

    1 Review
    Tahoma, CA
    17 miles
    Website

    7. Kyburz Flats

    2 Reviews
    Sierraville, CA
    22 miles

    "Was fine in my 2wd van but have high clearance and was dry. Might be worse if muddy or low clearance vehicle. Also, coordinates lead to historic sheep camp site."

    "I went to stay at a paid campground nearby but they said my dogs would have to be leashed, so he suggested this place for us. It has a few roads with a couple campsites. Pure dispersed camping."

    8. Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    19 Reviews
    Echo Lake, CA
    34 miles

    "Easy access and reasonably good road quality make it very RV friendly - I would say that it was at least 75% RVs/Trailers. Beautiful views of the valley and hills to the east."

    "Easy to see right off the road with plenty of campsites down either side of a nice dirt road. Rocky and steep road access to Scott’s lake, but easy camping on the edge of the valley."

    9. Loch Leven Lakes

    4 Reviews
    Norden, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 265-4531

    "We backpacked up to the high loch levens lake where we found many available campsites."

    "We took Salmon lake trailhead which is shorter trail."

    10. Merrill Valley Dispersed Camp

    1 Review
    Verdi, NV
    19 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Kings Beach, CA

59 Photos of 37 Kings Beach Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Kings Beach, CA

104 Reviews of 37 Kings Beach Campgrounds

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2023

    Scout Camp at Fort Churchill

    Gorgeous Riparian Forest

    Scout camp is on the Carson river and within the tall cottonwoods. Camp in the shade or out in the open if it’s very windy as the trees can shed branches. Garbage collection and pit toilets. Nice trail along the River.

    As of October 2023 the access road to scout camp was washed out. But there is dispersed camping on the terrace to the south.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 8, 2023

    USFS Silver Fork Dispersed

    Endless Possibilities

    The coordinates listed on the app are simply for the entrance to the dispersed camping. There are infinite amounts of primitive roads to drive down and find camp. I stayed at N38.768811• W 120.238630° — on top of a peak that offered 360° views with sunrise and sunset right from my tent. At this specific sight, there are no overhead trees. Despite being primitive, the roads are well kept, even if you have a small SUV. It could get slightly tricky with a car. I stayed here for 7 days (10/31-11/6) and only saw one other person on the primivite roads. The above coordinates are about a 6 mile drive in from US50. You will see a campground on your right about 5 miles down when driving in, about a mile further down the road you will come up on the dirt road leading you up the mountain.

    A couple of notes:

    1. You are required to have a permit for any day/overnight use in Eldorado, including this area. They can be easily acquired at recreation.gov
    2. Cell phone reception is very spotty, in and out of a couple of bars throughout the drive in. — AT&T coverage. At the above coordinates, there were 2 bars of low grade coverage allowing basic texts to send. Not enough service for web browsing or sending photos via text.
    3. This area has been widely burnt by fires last year. There are still large areas unburnt. You will find yourself going in and out of them while driving.
    4. KEEP IT CLEAN — this area is immaculate and besides dug out fire pits, human trace is non-existent. Leave it cleaner than you found it, pick up your trash (and other’s if you see any), respect the area and it will respect you.
    5. NO CAMP SERVICES — There is no trash service or even dumpsters at the signed entrance; pack it in pack it out. There are no restrooms in the area either.
  • Jacqueline G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Dispersed USFS

    Worth the climbs to get here!!

    This is full wilderness camping off the main road between hope valley and the blue lakes. I had no problem getting in with my 30ft bus towing a jeep but the road is steep and winding for about 7 miles to the pull off. There were a lot of other campers for Labor Day weekend but the rest of the time there was no one around. Jugs of water can be filled at the campgrounds about 5 miles in each direction. PLEASE NOTE: There are prolonged climbs to get here (up to about 8% grade) but my bus did fine. Slow and steady and you’ll be fine. Also WATCH THE WEATHER! Rain can cause spots of the road in to get washed out a bit and deep puddles can appear. There are loads of rocks and fallen trees around to fill in holes if needed. If you’re moderate to high clearance rig you’ll be fine just be mindful. The Blue Lakes are just down the road for swimming, boating, kayaking etc and lots of amazing 4x4 trails. Rivers for fishing and endless hiking and biking. Elevation is 8300ft so definitely a bit high. The trees help with the air however. Not nearly as tough as the high desert of Utah (Zion or Brice) but just take it easy if you’re not used to high altitude.

  • J
    Jun. 24, 2021

    Dispersed Camping near Fort Churchill

    No Go for Class A due to rotted access roads

    We drove thru both Fort Churchill State Park Campground and Scout Camp near by. We were looking for a place to camp for the night. We have a 36ft class A with a tow. Fort Churchill Campground is not accessible if you love the paint job on your rig. For lower profile campers it would be ok. Narrow dirt roads with sage brush to scratch you and overhanging low tree branches to ruin solar and a/c.

    Scout camp access is deeply rotted so our Class A couldn't safely get in there, otherwise there would have been plenty of space for us.

  • Ciara W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2024

    Echo Summit Dispersed

    Not dispersed camping

    This spot is national forest, and overnight camping is not allowed. We had a knock from someone with the forest service the next morning who was very kind and let us know that overnight is not allowed.

    Look up lakes and forest in this area on google — not many places allow dispersed camping

  • Tim R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2024

    Packsaddle Pass - El Dorado National Forest Dispersed

    Standard Dispersed Camping

    Standard dispersed camping on national forest land. Paved main road with dirt roads and areas for camping branching off. Plenty of room. Some areas have beautiful views of strawberry valley!

  • Shane C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2022

    Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed camping with campground layout/feel

    Camped here for a night in early October. Easy access and reasonably good road quality make it very RV friendly - I would say that it was at least 75% RVs/Trailers. Beautiful views of the valley and hills to the east. Most sites are obvious, with a driveway and stone fire ring. We like a more "dispersed" feel, but felt comfortable. 

    There are no services - bring all the water you will need and practice "leave no trace." This goes for your waste (human and animal) as well. I wish I could say that we didn't see any dog waste or "TP Flowers" but we did. Not a significant amount, but any is too much.

    The place was pretty much full, but still good vibes and quiet neighbors. Very close to Hwy. 88, so road noise and campers coming in looking for a spot after dark. Gets quiet later in the evening.

    Overall, a nice spot.

  • Raymond B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2024

    USFS Silver Fork Dispersed

    Overnight stay

    We recently spent a night at this campsite and found it to be perfect for a quick overnight getaway. The area is spacious and conveniently located not too far off the main road, making it easy to access without feeling too isolated.

    There are plenty of sites to choose from, catering to different preferences. However, we recommend taking some time to survey the land before setting up camp, as some spots are slightly sloped.

    A huge plus is the gas station just about 5 minutes down the road. It’s well-stocked with all the convenient store items you might have forgotten at home, making it easy to grab any last-minute necessities.

    Overall, it was a delightful stay. Just remember, always practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out what you pack in!

  • Kailey C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2020

    Dispersed Camping near Fort Churchill

    Alternate free camping next to the state park!

    Since COVID has closed all state and national parks to camping, we were happy to find this BLM land for an overnight. There are no services and the ground is a little bumpy/sandy but we were able to get around just fine in our camper van. There was a makeshift fire ring at our site, but it was so windy and dry brush everywhere that we didn't want to attempt to use it.

    We for service on both Verizon and Sprint! Had some coyotes track around our van over night so make sure you keep everything inside!

Guide to Kings Beach

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Kings Beach, California, where nature meets tranquility. With a variety of options available, campers can enjoy the great outdoors while embracing the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Kings Beach, California

  • When heading to Big Dog Valley, be prepared for a rugged experience as the access road can be narrow and rocky, but the stunning views make it worthwhile.
  • Always pack out what you pack in; some areas like BLM FLATTOP have reported litter left behind by previous visitors, so do your part to keep these spaces clean.
  • Bring plenty of water and supplies, as places like Merrill Valley Dispersed Camp lack drinking water and other amenities.

Scenic views while free camping near Kings Beach

  • For breathtaking vistas, check out Reno View Dispersed, where you can enjoy stunning views of the city lights, especially at night.
  • The picturesque setting of Loch Leven Lakes offers a serene backdrop for camping, with opportunities for swimming and relaxing by the water.
  • If you’re looking for a peaceful escape, Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed provides a beautiful environment, perfect for those who appreciate nature's tranquility.

Dispersed campers should check out BLM FLATTOP

  • The area around BLM FLATTOP is known for its rugged terrain, making it ideal for adventurous campers who enjoy off-roading.
  • This spot allows for both drive-in and hike-in access, giving you the flexibility to explore the surrounding wilderness at your own pace.
  • Keep in mind that while the views are rewarding, the road conditions can be challenging, so a vehicle with good clearance is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kings Beach?

Several free dispersed camping options exist near the Kings Beach area. USFS Silver Fork Dispersed offers numerous primitive roads with spacious sites and even some spots with 360-degree views. Another option is Packsaddle Pass - El Dorado National Forest Dispersed, which features standard dispersed camping on national forest land with paved main roads and dirt areas branching off for camping, some offering beautiful views of Strawberry Valley. Both locations are free and provide good alternatives to the more crowded areas closer to Lake Tahoe.

Is 4WD required to access Kings Beach dispersed camping areas?

Vehicle requirements vary by location and weather conditions. At Kyburz Flats, the road becomes increasingly rough after the first mile, though some have managed in 2WD vehicles with high clearance during dry conditions. Access could be challenging in wet weather or with low-clearance vehicles. Similarly, at Dispersed USFS between Hope Valley and Blue Lakes, the road is steep and winding for about 7 miles to the pull-offs, though even larger vehicles like 30-foot buses have managed. While 4WD isn't always mandatory, higher clearance vehicles are recommended for most dispersed sites in the area, especially after rain or snow.

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping at Kings Beach?

Dispersed camping in the Kings Beach area follows typical National Forest Service regulations. Most sites require you to camp at least 100-200 feet from water sources, use existing fire rings when possible, and practice Leave No Trace principles. At Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping, most established sites have stone fire rings, but always check current fire restrictions. Note that some areas marked as dispersed camping may actually prohibit overnight stays, as campers discovered at Echo Summit Dispersed. Always verify current regulations with the local ranger district before setting up camp, especially during high fire danger seasons.

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