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Best Dispersed Camping near Lompoc, CA

42 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Several free dispersed camping options exist in the hills surrounding Lompoc, California. TV Tower Road, located near Santa Margarita, offers primitive sites with exceptional views of Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, and the Pacific coastline. The dirt road requires careful navigation, especially in the dark or adverse conditions. According to one visitor, "The road is a bit scary with lots of large drop offs without guardrails," though most passenger vehicles can manage the terrain when dry.

Old Sierra Madre provides roadside pullouts suitable for car camping, vans, and smaller RVs. Visitors describe finding "easy spots to turn around and park" with "beautiful views" and "slight road noise." Figueroa Mountain Road Pullout offers limited camping on steep terrain with challenging access. One camper noted the site is "all uphill and really only has a small area where a few vans can fit." None of these dispersed sites provide amenities—no toilets, water, or trash service. All sites permit pets, though most prohibit campfires year-round. Wind conditions can be significant, particularly at the ridge-top locations.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Lompoc, California (5)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Lompoc, CA

42 Reviews of 5 Lompoc Campgrounds

  • kThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful view / very windy

    Hard to access. Rutted dirt road. We are traveling in a truck/cabover combo and we did see a camper van along with day use cars. I wouldn’t try to tow anything up here. It is busier than I was expecting with other overnighters and day hikers and mountain bikers but worth the sunset and sunrise.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 9, 2024

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful View!

    The road was a bit sketchy, any 4WD would be fine I think. I took my mini van and camped at a turn out along the road because I was a bit hesitant, but again, others would probably be fine. There were lots of people going up the road until very late at night, then turning around and coming back down (I assume because there were no spots?) The stars are beautiful and it's very quiet and cool. Got cold at night but nothing unbearable, lovely sunrise too! I'd recommend bringing a warm sleeping bag and any essentials for dispersed camping. Honestly such a beautiful place, next time I'd like to find a space to set up my tent. Loved it!

  • Summer A.
    Jul. 17, 2022

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Seclusion

    We came up to TV tower road and found a great spot to pull the car into, with a little trail that pulls off to a spot to pitch the tent. This is definitely a great spot for car camping, parking, or camping. It was absolutely beautiful, and we only passed a few cars on the way up. Our 4WD car was able to handle the dirt road. The drive was manageable, but high up!

  • Chanel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2018

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Ranger Review: Escape Campervan at TV Tower Road

    My husband and I decided to do a road trip along the PCH up the coast (with Big Sur as the final destination). Along the way, we made multiple stops and camped at TV Tower Road since we heard so many phenomenal things about the view.

    [ PROS ]

    • VIEWS VIEWS VIEWS!! The view is spectacular up this mountain. You can see Morro Bay, Los Osos, and San Luis Obispo. And to top it all off, you also get an ocean view in the distance. You can even see the infamous Morro Bay Rock and the 3 smokestacks in the horizon.
    • It’s FREE! When you’re doing a road trip along HWY 1 during the summer, you’ll notice that almost all campsites are full if you haven’t made a reservation months in advance. This place is perfect for last minute campers who need a place to park for the evening.
    • Stargazing is out of this world. We had the clearest night sky with very little light pollution, and we were able to see the Milky Way so vividly. We also saw multiple shooting stars.
    • This campsite is off the beaten road, so it’s very remote. We saw two other campers nearby but other than that, we had the entire place to ourselves.
    • Great hiking spot! It’s only a 1.5 mile hike up to the campsite, but it’s steep. You can find the entrance to TV Tower Road at the West Cuesta RIdge Trailhead. Lots of cyclist and morning hikers come through at dawn.

    [ CONS ]

    • Really terrifying drive up the mountain with a few sharp turns and a narrow one-car dirt road. We were able to take our Escape Camervan up the mountain with no problem, but this road is for confident drivers. There are some parts of the road where two cars can fit, but just make sure you drive slow and check weather conditions.
    • No toilets, no showers, no water, no hook ups, no amenities. Make sure you bring your own food/water/supplies, practice LNT, and be safe.
    • There is practically no shade on this mountain ridge so it can get hot during the day with the sun beaming down on you. Just prepare for that.

    Pro Tip: Drive up TV Tower Road before sunset. 1) Sunsets are magical here 2) Better visibility of the road while the sun is still out. There are no road or street lights to guide you.

    Product Review

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time - this weekend I was incredibly BLESSED with the opportunity to test out the Maverick Camper by Escape Campervans. This opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time since my cat recently just passed away, and I do not take a second of this for granted. So where did we decide to go? First on the list, Morro Bay! My (now) husband and I fell in love in Morro Bay 6 years ago, and then he proposed to me at the Morro Bay Rock 2 years later. We figured we would bring our cat’s ashes to “The Rock” as a final resting place so we can make an effort to return as often as possible. After our day in Morro Bay, we continued on along the majestic Pacific Coast Highway until we reached Big Sur on Hwy 1.

    I’ve done this road trip many times since childhood, but it felt like an entirely new experience doing the trip in a campervan. I am, now, totally convinced that the #vanlife is for me. Here are my thoughts on the Maverick #JetsonVan.

    • TRAVELING IN STYLE - I just LOVE LOVE LOVED the custom painted design on our campervan. Just seeing the beautiful colors and design put a smile on my face and made me happy. It brought out my inner-child and a reignited a new sense of adventure and curiosity that I haven’t felt since I was in grade-school. We need more of this in our everyday lives. Thank you Escape Campervans for reminding me of this.
    • ROAD TRIP READY - I’ve done road trips, but never like THIS! The Maverick has everything you need to have the most relaxing, easy, and hassle-free experience ever. The campervan is so well-designed and packed with handy and useful features that really make your trip a breeze. I was able to spend less time packing and setting up, and more time to play. Escape Campervans also came with everything you can think of -- chairs, bedding, pots/pans, bowls/cups/utensils, you name it! There was very little that we needed to pack from home. Below are a few of our favorite features
    • Rooftop sleeper - This is a MUST! It was so fun sleeping on the roof of the van. It’s a little tricky at first to get up and down, but we were able to get the hang of it in no time.
    • Solar powered refrigerator - I don’t know how I lived without this. It was so nice having our food and drinks chilled without having to worry about a cooler of melting ice sloshing around.
    • Storage - there is so much storage for all your gear so it’s so easy to stay organized.
    • Trunk Kitchen - The kitchen is so convenient and it facilitates spur-of-the-moment cooking with very little set up or clean up required. The counter space was really nice for prepping and easy to clean.
    • THE ROAD TO FREEDOM - Our Maverick became our home away from home, and the best part? We were able to bring it with us everywhere. It’s super easy and smooth to drive, and we had the freedom of the open road ahead of us. I loved being able to just pull over during lunch time and enjoy a meal wherever we decided to park. While we did our day trip to Big Sur, we picked a quiet, shady spot to park with an EPIC VIEW of the Pacific Ocean. And if you’ve ever driven along the PCH past Hearst Castle to Big Sur, you’ll know there are so many lookout points to stop for sightseeing.

    Tips for maximizing your campervan experience!

    1. Make it your own! Bring some stuff from your house to really make your campervan feel cozy and homey. Be careful not to overpack, but a couple throw pillows, blankets, and even a houseplant can make all the difference. You don’t normally get this opportunity in a regular car, so take advantage of the space.
    2. Bring a partner in crime or 2! Road Trips are more fun with people who you know are going to be flexible, spontaneous, and up for the unknown. Every trip can have unexpected obstacles and can be exhausting so bring a playmate who will be up for the challenge and up for an adventure.
    3. A little planning goes a long way. While my favorite part about road trips are the random little stops along the way, but it makes a huge difference when you do a little research on the route, conditions, and place to stay for the evening ahead of time.
    4. Split the load! Whether it’s taking turns driving, or alternating who cleans the dishes, make sure everyone throws in a helping hand.
    5. Make a playlist. Having music ready for those long drives can be super helpful when your car stereo loses goes out of range. While I prefer having conversations on road trips over music, sometimes some tunes really help break up the drive.
    6. TREAT YO’SELF. Don’t forget to allow yourself to splurge a litttllleee even if you’re on a tight budget. It’s nice to be able to cook your own food on the road, but it’s also totally okay to eat out a few meals or unwind with a nice bottle of wine after hours of driving or after a stressful day of navigating the road. Just make sure you’re parked for the evening when you uncork!
  • Beth R.
    Jul. 30, 2020

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    100% worth it...but get there before sunset!

    Ok so my first encounter with this road (TV Tower Road) was after 10 p.m. in mid-July. We were trying to find a spot to camp near San Luis Obispo and hoped to find a place in Los Padres Natl Forest. We saw the road in our map book and aimed to follow it.

    It was dark, and we had to anticipate the road off 101 S, because it comes quickly and the signs are easy to miss. We were able to exit and follow the one-lane road (it’s narrow) as it began to wind up the hillside. We weren’t counting on gaining so much elevation, but we were pretty stoked because after two switchbacks we had an amazing view of the sky. The pavement ended and we continued on a packed dirt road.

    It is quite narrow at parts, but there are spots along it where 2 cars can pass each other. There are bumps and rough patches, but nothing you haven’t encountered if you do much backwoods driving. Anyways.

    That night was a Friday, and it was also a peak viewing night for the comet, and there were SO many (like 8) cars that we had to pass/maneuver around. In the dark, without knowing the road, it was pretty high pressure, and we chose to turn around about halfway up, without knowing how the road ended.

    So, disappointment. However, after a fun day in Los Osos and Morro Bay, we decided to tackle the road in the daylight. We got there around 6, in full summer light, and only encountered one driver coming down. 

    When you reach the top of the ridge, the road opens up. It’s the bumpiest here, but there’s a lot of space to spread out & set up. We saw probably 12 other cars (vans, SUVs, RVs) there, and some people had set up tents. The views are incredible. It’s a super peaceful place to spend a night or two.

    We had binoculars for stargazing, but with them we could explore the details of the hills and landmarks. If you’re into radio, reception is very clear. The temperature was overall very comfortable, and we had a great night car camping. 

    The biggest caution is driving—expect to have to deal with some cars going the other way. Also, keep an eye out for hikers and mountain bikers who also use the road. If you’re down to try it, this spot is so worth it!!

    Bring food, water, a flashlight...the regular. There are no bathrooms, so be warned.

  • Avery M.
    Jul. 24, 2020

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Sweet place

    This place was awesome. Heard about it from a friend who goes to school at SLO. We arrived around 4pm on a Saturday and all spots were open except for one. The road is a bit rocky and steep but we were fine in an old ass 2WD 4runner. We settled on a nice spot nestled in the trees. There was a pre made fire pit which we may or may not have used. The road is a hiking trail as well so we went on a little walk to watch the sunset. Only bad thing was the flies. These bitches were on the offense. Bring bug spray and citronella candles or be smart and don’t go in mid july like we did. It’s close to downtown slo which is very charming with great food. On our way out we ate at seeds for some delicious smoothies and paninis. Overall very great place and have recommended it to friends.

  • Jules R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2023

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Windy cliffside

    Drove up here at night and the road is windy and bumpy and narrow and youre on the side of a cliff. Was a bit scary but the view was beautiful in the morning. The wind is loud and powerful and will push your car a bit thru the night. No restrooms but lots of shrubbery. Got there at 11 pm and the stars were amazing due to no light pollution.

  • V
    Feb. 23, 2022

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Nice view

    Good spot for car camping. We were into the clouds when we arrived but in the morning we had a beautiful view. Some other campers around, really quiet and respectful.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 4, 2022

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Nice views windy. Busy in weekend

    Nice place to go for car camping. There were a lot of other campers along the road in different spots. I didn't drive all the way to the end but turned and picked a spot that looked nice. A bit windy, but great views in the morning.

Guide to Lompoc

Dispersed camping near Lompoc, California provides access to the Los Padres National Forest and surrounding public lands. The region sits within a transition zone between coastal and interior climate regimes, with temperatures ranging 20-30 degrees warmer than coastal areas during summer months. Winter camping often brings cold nights with temperatures dropping into the 30s at higher elevations.

What to do

Stargazing opportunities: The higher elevation sites around Santa Margarita offer exceptional night sky viewing. "Nightsky was amazing! I saw a shooting star and many satellites," reports Sebastian D. about TV Tower Road.

Wildlife watching: Early mornings provide opportunities to spot deer, rabbits, and various bird species. "I woke first thing in the morning and the view to the west is stunning, a sea of clouds and islands of distant mountain peaks all the way to the coast," notes Kyle K., who camped at TV Tower Road.

Photography: Morning fog patterns create dramatic landscape photography conditions. Visitors to Figueroa Mountain Road Pullout note that "the views are awesome" despite challenging terrain, according to Roland L.

What campers like

Isolation from crowds: Many sites remain relatively undiscovered compared to established campgrounds. "Picked the first nook from the GPS pin but hiked up road and there are quite a few others, some shaded, some exposed," writes Jason R. about his stay at Old Sierra Madre.

Cell service availability: Unlike many remote camping areas, some sites maintain connectivity. "Had great cell service and was a lovely drive to get there," notes Elyse B. regarding her Old Sierra Madre experience, adding it was "very peaceful and far enough from the highway."

Temperature variation: Higher elevation sites provide relief from summer valley heat. "It's very quiet and cool. Got cold at night but nothing unbearable, lovely sunrise too!" shares Caitlyn R., who recommends "bringing a warm sleeping bag and any essentials for dispersed camping" at TV Tower Road.

What you should know

Vehicle requirements vary: Access roads range from paved to severely rutted. "Even if you have 4 wheel drive this is just god awful," warns Silas M. about the final approach to TV Tower Road, noting "the ground is like straight rock so you can't really pitch a tent."

Site availability fluctuates: Weekend crowds can fill limited spaces. "There were lots of people going up the road until very late at night, then turning around and coming back down (I assume because there were no spots?)," observes Caitlyn R. about TV Tower Road traffic patterns.

Pack-out requirements: No facilities means complete self-sufficiency. "Very pretty area! Lots of little trashes I found in the gravel and grass, so please make sure to pack in and pack out!" reminds Rory P. about Figueroa Mountain Road Pullout 01, adding "We had to pick up lots of trash from people before. Leave it better than you found it!"

Tips for camping with families

Timing considerations: Arrive during daylight hours for safer navigation. "I arrived on motorcycle at 10:30 at night. I hate being that guy that shows up late while everyone is in their tents, but it happens," shares Kyle K., noting the challenges of nighttime arrival at TV Tower Road.

Bug preparation: Insect activity varies seasonally. One camper notes that "thankfully I had bugspray the insect problem was solved" during their TV Tower Road stay.

Site selection criteria: Look for level spots away from edges when camping with children. "The spot is honestly wonderful! Such great views, quiet, not even too windy," reports Ala B. about TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping, though noting access challenges.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most free dispersed camping areas near Lompoc restrict larger vehicles. "Easy spots to turn around and park. Beautiful views, slight road noise if you're not in the van but quiet inside. Wouldn't recommend anything bigger than a extended sprinter or transit," advises Jacob B. about Old Sierra Madre.

Turnaround planning: Scout ahead before committing to narrow roads. "Nous étions en RV 24 feet et nous avons dû faire demi tour! Route à sens unique étroite sinueuse et dangereuse. Pas fait pour un RV," warns Martins A. about a failed RV attempt at TV Tower Road.

Surface conditions: Many sites feature uneven terrain requiring stabilization. Connor B. found Old Sierra Madre "pretty easy to find, road is also easy to drive. found a pretty good level spot, definitely camping right off the side of the road."

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in the Lompoc area?

When dispersed camping in the Lompoc area, follow standard dispersed camping regulations: camp at least 200 feet from water sources, use existing fire rings if fires are permitted (check current fire restrictions), and pack out all trash. At Old Sierra Madre, camping is free but with no facilities, so be prepared to be fully self-sufficient with water and waste management. At Caliente Mtn Ranch Dispersed, similar rules apply for this free camping area. Always practice Leave No Trace principles and be aware that most dispersed sites have maximum stay limits, typically 14 days within a 30-day period.

Where can I find dispersed car camping near Lompoc?

TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping is a popular spot for dispersed car camping near Lompoc. The road has multiple pull-offs and turnouts where you can park and camp. While the road can be steep and rocky in places, many standard vehicles can access it, though 4WD is recommended. Campsites offer spectacular views, especially at sunrise and sunset. Another option is Figueroa Mountain Road Pullout 01, which provides free dispersed camping with drive-in access in the Los Padres National Forest area near Lompoc.

What is the best time of year for dispersed camping near Lompoc?

Spring and fall offer the most pleasant conditions for dispersed camping near Lompoc. Summer can be quite hot during the day but cooler at higher elevations. At Old Sierra Madre - Medicine Bow National Forest Dispersed, camping is enjoyable from late spring through early fall. Winter camping is possible but prepare for potentially cold and wet conditions. Be aware that wind can be a significant factor year-round, especially at exposed sites like TV Tower Road where campers report very windy conditions that can be challenging overnight. Always check weather forecasts and road conditions before heading out, as seasonal changes can affect accessibility.

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