Landers, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Landers. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
"Other than that, it’s exactly as expected and it’s free!"
"No services, no hookups, no specific sites marked off, but it’s free and level."
"It’s everything you need, flat, free and spacious! There was loads of place for space between campers."
"Everything about this site is not only free, but literally free to park and camp anywhere."
"It is a free campground, first come first serve."
"The tallest mountain in Southern California. This camp is very minimal; it sits just under 11,501 ft."
"First come first served dispersed camping just outside Big Bear. Near bike trails."
GuideEasy to access dirt road off of Amboy leads you to BLM land. Left over fire rings mark sites, however many sites are covered in glass and bullet casing from people using this area for target practice. Sunsets are gorgeous, however desert winds are harsh. Wouldn’t go back but free camping doesn’t hurt.
LegendBecause the National forest allows dispersed camping, as long as your off the roads and trails, the camping spots are unlimited. We like coming here if we want to be guaranteed a spot, no early arrivals or reservations needed. Dogs are allowed, and the trails in the area are dog-friendly.
GuideWe love BLM camping, but frankly living near LA free dispersed or BLM land is far between and hard to come by. Thankfully Joshua Tree has the perfect BLM spot just northeast of the park right south of the Pinto Mountain Wilderness. We usually come out here on holiday weekends because while the parks are full beyond capacity you can go days on BLM without seeing anyone. We’ve stayed two weeks before seeing one person in the “off season”. There’s a reason why us dirt bikers love this kind of area. Free camping, all the dirt trails you could ever want, full fire options, wonderful place to get space and seclusion; everything you could want as a disperser, minus access to water and shade (unless you bring it with you). And you should, the town is not close and the likelihood of encountering someone to help you out of a tough spot, or supplement missing something is near nil on the off-season. Remember people, this is the desert, if you don’t bring it with you, you won’t find it here. Inexperienced dispersed campers are not recommended. Many grossly underestimate the water/shade they will need/use and if you’ve never had to be 100% self sufficient, this is not the place to start. Cell service is spotty at best, and with the main road several miles away, and town several miles from there, not recommended unless you know you can be completely self reliant. Also in the summer temps soar easily in the 100s and drop hard after the sun goes down to the mid 50s. Even more unpredictable in the “off season”. That being said we love it here and get our desert fix in and plenty of dirt biking done. A great spot to go if you know what you’re doing, place your ego aside, if you know what you’re doing you’ll have a blast. Don’t? And you could end up in trouble quick. Can’t wait to go again in November!
TravelerTypical BLM land, not far at all from Joshua Tree Park. Open and spacious, was able to dig my daily fox hole butt naked in broad daylight without being spotted. Very dispersed, road wasn’t too bad either. I’ll stop by again if I can’t get a reservation in Joshua Tree Park next year. Thanks BLM!
TravelerRandomly ended up in J Tree, only to find every camp site was booked out. This patch of BLM land has the flat playa vibe with plenty of space to spread out.
LegendWe drove up to a spot in the dry lake bed area, sat there for a few minutes, and decided to leave. The place was fine, for a different kind of camper or maybe we would have liked it on a different day. But when we were there on a Saturday in mid November, there were so many people and so many ATVs, we just felt like we'd have ATVers zipping around us all night. And there was so much trash! :(
The environment was fine, easy access for our 26ft class c, wide open, flat land, good cell reception, close to town. We just didn't like the vibe. There's zero shrubbery or any kind of division to make you feel like you have your own space. It's just a wide open dry lake bed.
Be sure to keep an eye on the map as you're driving in to make sure you camp on BLM land. There is a lot of non BLM land surrounding this area, some but not all marked with "no trespassing" signs, and some sad encampments set up on the non BLM land. So just because you see an RV or a tent set up, doesn't mean it's BLM land.
ScoutThis is just a dry lake bed not far from Josh Tree National Park. It’s just a dry lake bed on BLM land.
GuideThe road leading there was a little bit bumpy, however the ground of the BLM lands was pretty sturdy and compact. As stated there is nothing but land, however, that is the beauty of this place!
LegendNot sure if this is the same place the rangers in Joshua Tree told us about, but if you drive North on Sunfair off of Route 62 and take a right on Sunflower, you can drive on to BLM land and find anywhere to camp on a dry lake bed. It was pretty open and incredible in late November.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Landers, California, where you can enjoy the vast desert landscape and the freedom to set up camp in stunning natural surroundings. This area offers a variety of options for those looking to escape into the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Landers, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Landers, CA is Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping with a 3.5-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Landers, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 30 dispersed camping locations near Landers, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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