Dispersed camping near Lemon Cove, California provides access to elevations ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 feet within Sequoia National Forest. Winter road closures affect campsite availability from November through April, with several forest service roads becoming impassable during snow or heavy rain. Temperatures can drop below freezing at higher elevations even during summer months.
What to do
Hiking to Buck Rock Lookout Tower: From the Buck Rock Campground, access the trailhead for this historic fire lookout tower. "Great hiking trails from Campground," notes camper TC F., who appreciated the accessible trails directly from their site.
Visit Chicago Stump: Near Cherry Gap OHV Staging Area, campers can explore this historical site. "Very close to the Chicago stump! Lots of wood laying around also," reports Mario U., highlighting this unique attraction within easy walking distance.
OHV and Dirt Biking: The forest roads offer extensive trail networks for off-highway vehicles. One visitor to Sequoia Forest Hunting Area shared: "Had my dual sport with me so after parking for first night I unloaded and the next day I road all over the trails. The coolest thing was the fire tower called Delilah lookout. Highly recommend!"
Winter Snow Activities: While many roads close seasonally, some areas remain accessible for snow play. "We were stoked to try and camp here, but ended up realizing it was closed due to ice for the winter upon arrival. No way to check until you get there, I guess!" warns a visitor to Forest Rd 14S29.
What campers like
Privacy and Seclusion: Many campers value the isolated nature of these dispersed sites. A visitor to Forest Road 14S11 North Camp shared: "We stayed here in October 2023 for two nights. There are many spaces alongside this forest road, there are lots of trees, so you feel private though there were quite many people camping alongside the road."
Night Sky Viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Great view on the night sky," noted the same Forest Road 14S11 visitor, highlighting this natural attraction that draws many campers.
Water Features: Several camping areas offer access to streams or waterfalls. A visitor to Forest Road 13S02 Dispersed Site mentioned: "There's a stream and waterfall downhill that makes for great hikes," pointing to natural features that enhance the camping experience.
Cellular Connectivity: Unlike many wilderness areas, some sites offer reasonable connectivity. A camper at the Road to Armenian Camp noted: "We had 2 bars of Verizon and intermittent T-Mobile signal. The nearest dump station is at Sequoia RV Park in Dunlap, you just drop $20 in their box and use any available site they have."
What you should know
Road Conditions: Many forest roads require appropriate vehicles. A visitor to Sequoia Boondock advised: "Coming off the General Highway at Forest Rt 14S29 keep going along the paved road until it ends and you'll find it (about 2 or 3 miles)."
Seasonal Availability: Higher elevation sites may close during winter. A Forest Rd 14S29 camper noted: "Since it's offseason and the Campgrounds were closed, we quickly needed to find an alternative and were happy to stay a quiet night at this spot."
Camping Capacity: Sites vary in size and availability. At Forest Road 14S11 North Camp, one camper observed: "Multiple spots along the road. They are marked by stones or wood blocks and a small fire pit next to them."
Wildlife Awareness: Bears remain active throughout the area. A camper at Sequoia Boondock reported: "There were also some signs of bear activity (bags clawed through) but we didn't see any (unfortunately)," highlighting the importance of proper food storage.
Tips for camping with families
Site Selection: Choose locations with adequate space for children to explore safely. A camper at Forest Road 13S02 mentioned it's "Especially good if you're traveling with dogs to let them roam around," which applies to families needing space as well.
Accessibility Considerations: Some sites require challenging drives unsuitable for family vehicles. A visitor to Road to Armenian Camp warned: "Curvy, narrow road. No great pull outs for larger vehicles," which can be problematic with car seats and family gear.
Facilities Planning: Most dispersed sites lack basic amenities. Buck Rock Campground has limited facilities: "There is one restroom with vault toilet (B.Y.O.Toilet Paper) in the entire area near the trash bins," according to one reviewer.
Specialized Campgrounds: Families with horses can utilize Big Meadows Horse Camp, which offers "corrals are clean and perfect" according to a recent visitor who added "The bathroom is very clean. No running water or electricity so you need to be fully self contained."
Tips from RVers
Size Limitations: Many forest roads restrict larger vehicles. At Forest Rd 14S29, a camper advised: "There is space for maximum 4 small RVs. Large RVs should avoid this place!"
Leveling Challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at most sites. "We used to chocks to level up as it's pretty uneven in parts," noted a Forest Rd 14S29 visitor who managed to make it work despite the challenges.
Alternative Options: When national park campgrounds fill up, dispersed camping provides solutions. A Cherry Gap OHV visitor shared: "I was directed to these sites by a park ranger when all the campgrounds in the national parks were full. Great sites, with the first being big enough for a small RV."
