Best Dispersed Camping near Lucia, CA
Dispersed camping options near Lucia, California include several primitive sites in the Los Padres National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. Williams Hill Recreation Area, managed by BLM, features seven designated sites with covered picnic tables, fire rings, and a vault toilet. Will Creek Road and Plasket Ridge offer more rugged dispersed camping experiences with spectacular coastal views. Cone Peak provides backcountry camping for hikers willing to make the challenging 11-mile trek with 5,600 feet of elevation gain.
Road conditions vary significantly between sites. Williams Hill Recreation Area is accessible via approximately 5-7 miles of dirt road with some washboard sections and switchbacks. According to reviews, most passenger vehicles can navigate this road when driven slowly. Several campers noted that "the road is narrow at times" and visitors should "yield to downhill traffic." Plasket Ridge and Will Creek Road require high-clearance vehicles, with many reviewers strongly recommending 4WD capability.
No potable water is available at any of these sites. All locations operate on a pack-in, pack-out basis for trash. Fire restrictions are common during dry months, particularly summer, when complete fire bans are typically enforced. Cell service is generally reliable at Williams Hill but limited or nonexistent at other locations. Campers report that Williams Hill has a 14-day stay limit and can experience insect activity during warmer months. Vault toilets at Williams Hill are generally well-maintained but may occasionally run out of supplies on busy weekends. Weather conditions include cool nights even during summer, with temperatures often dropping to the 40s after sunset, and potential for strong winds at higher elevations.
