Dispersed camping near Kit Carson, California occurs primarily in El Dorado National Forest at elevations between 6,000-8,500 feet. Winter conditions can persist into June at higher elevations, with overnight temperatures dropping below freezing even during summer months. Most access roads remain unpaved with variable conditions depending on recent precipitation and seasonal maintenance schedules.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Silver Fork River Camping provides direct water access with established paths leading to small beaches. According to one camper, "Each site is large enough for 3 campers to fit. Stone fire pits had already been established as well."
Hiking through burn areas: Echo Summit Dispersed camping area sits on previously burned forest land. As one visitor notes, "This location was the site of a fire several years ago, this means that many of the trees have been cleared making it a good site for starlink users like me."
Sunset viewing: Mormon Emigrant Trail Dispersed Pull Off offers excellent sunset viewing opportunities. One camper reports, "Large pull off area I found and stayed at for 4 days with amazing views of the sunset and sunrise!"
Mountain biking: Multiple trail networks connect dispersed camping areas. A visitor to Bear Valley Dispersed Camping shares, "Lots of trails to ride your bike and walk."
What campers like
Star visibility: The minimal light pollution allows for exceptional night sky viewing. A camper at Bear Valley states, "We arrived when it was dark and had no problem finding a spot! It was open with plenty of spots & we were the only ones! Perfect spot for star gazing!!"
Uncrowded weekday camping: Many sites offer solitude during non-peak times. A camper at Mormon Emigrant Trail Dispersed Pull Off shared, "I was there on weekdays so was pretty much alone the whole time but even if the main spot is occupied there's a couple of dirt roads that lead to more areas to camp."
Easy access sites: Several areas provide convenient entry points for standard vehicles. At Silver Fork River Camping, a visitor reported, "We got our group to the second site and that included a van camper that was 2wd so its easy to get to the first two sites."
Four-wheel drive adventures: Higher elevation sites offer challenging access roads. According to one Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping visitor, "We went just up the road into the wildlife reserve and drove all the way up to burnside lake. Beautiful. Definitely need 4x4 and the road is super bumpy."
What you should know
Fire restrictions vary: Some areas prohibit fires year-round while others maintain established fire rings. At Echo Summit, campers should note that fires are not allowed, while at Silver Fork River, "Stone fire pits had already been established as well."
Limited accurate information: Several location pins may be incorrect or misleading. One camper at Echo Summit Dispersed reported, "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."
Mixed permit requirements: Regulations differ between camping areas. According to campers at Scotts Lake Road, "Gate locked. Arriving around 9pm after a long drive to find the gate locked was very disheartening, especially since reception in the area around Kirwood is missing."
Unpredictable road conditions: Many access roads remain unmaintained. A camper at Dispersed USFS warns, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Explore abandoned infrastructure: Old structures provide interesting exploration opportunities. At Iron MT. Dispersed, one camper noted, "The abandoned ski lifts are pretty cool to look at and hike along them as well."
Look for flat camping areas: Many sites have uneven terrain challenging for tents. A visitor to Scotts Lake Road reported, "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."
Prepare for altitude effects: Higher elevations can affect comfort and health. At Dispersed USFS, located at 8,300 feet, a camper advised, "Definitely a bit high. The trees help with the air however. Not nearly as tough as the high desert of Utah but just take it easy if you're not used to high altitude."
Arrive during daylight: Site selection becomes difficult after dark. One Mormon Emigrant Trail camper recommended, "A couple of level spots and lots of room to hike around. Completely free and peaceful but 0 amenities so come prepared."
Tips from RVers
Large rig access points: Several areas accommodate substantial vehicles. At Scotts Lake Road, a camper shared, "We are new to dispersed camping and have a 40 ft 5th wheel as well as a GMC Denali 350 dually. We need a large space to fit into. We arrived on a Monday at noon and found that the large area about 1/4 mile in was not at all crowded."
Watch for overhanging trees: Limited clearance affects larger vehicles. At Bear Valley, multiple reviewers mentioned tight spaces in wooded areas where "many spots taken with no activity probably by locals."
Bring leveling equipment: Uneven surfaces challenge RV setup. At Iron Mountain Dispersed, "The ground is very flat and many areas are paved with gravel. At 7500 feet above sea level, the view is wide and the scenery is beautiful."
Consider arrival timing: Weekday arrivals provide more options. One camper at Packsaddle Pass noted, "Great location. Not sure it would be a good location if it's been raining. May hear the occasional road noise."
