Best Dispersed Camping near Mendota, CA

Dispersed camping near Mendota, California centers primarily on BLM-managed lands, with Tumey Hills Box Canyon and Boondocking - Coalinga serving as the main free camping areas. These primitive sites require self-sufficiency, as they lack developed facilities and amenities. The Tumey Hills area provides more traditional dispersed camping in a natural setting, while the Coalinga location functions more as a convenient overnight parking area near services.

Access to Tumey Hills Box Canyon involves a partially paved road that transitions to well-graded dirt for the final 1.5 miles. High clearance vehicles are recommended but not always necessary depending on recent conditions. The area has a portable toilet but campers must bring their own toilet paper, water, and all necessary supplies. No hookups or services exist, and visitors should be prepared for target shooting activity during daylight hours. Camping is permitted without reservation, though the area has reportedly faced periodic closures due to environmental concerns.

The landscape around these dispersed sites varies considerably in appeal and condition. Tumey Hills features open terrain that can appear either beautifully green in spring or brown and barren during dry periods. Many visitors note significant trash issues, particularly spent shell casings from recreational shooting. "Another beautiful spot ruined by people who can't pickup after themselves," observed one camper. The Coalinga boondocking area serves primarily as a practical overnight stop rather than a destination campsite, with several reviewers noting its proximity to fast food and gas stations makes it convenient. "The parking area is relatively quiet and there is a good amount of room to park and sleep," according to feedback on The Dyrt. Momyer Creek Trail, while listed as a dispersed camping option, appears inaccessible according to recent visitor reports.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Mendota, California (3)

    1. Tumey Hills Box Canyon

    11 Reviews
    Mendota, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 582-2200

    "Took us about 15 min to drive to where we camped. There is no water or bathrooms so bring a jug from Lowe’s with a spicket!"

    "Easy overnight BLM spot, we stayed overnight on the way to San Jose - easy to navigate, find & park.

    Close by amenities gas stations, mcdonald’s & freeway about 10 mins out"

    2. Boondocking - Coalinga

    5 Reviews
    Coalinga, CA
    35 miles

    "You can hear a highway close but honestly, not bad. I feel pretty relaxed and safe here."

    "Got tired and needed a place to sleep for the night; this area is popular with semi drivers and safe and quiet, with 24-hour bathrooms nearby."

    3. Momyer Creek Trail 1E06

    4 Reviews
    Friant, CA
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 382-2882
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Mendota, CA

4 Photos of 3 Mendota Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Mendota, CA

16 Reviews of 3 Mendota Campgrounds


  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 8, 2025

    Momyer Creek Trail 1E06

    No access

    Tried to stop on the way to Yosemite park. This pulls up to three closed gates that all look to be private properties

  • Genesis C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Tumey Hills Box Canyon

    Beautiful BLM land

    Took us about 15 min to drive to where we camped. There is no water or bathrooms so bring a jug from Lowe’s with a spicket!

  • kThe Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 18, 2023

    Tumey Hills Box Canyon

    Easy, open with nearby amenities!

    Easy overnight BLM spot, we stayed overnight on the way to San Jose - easy to navigate, find & park.

    Close by amenities gas stations, mcdonald’s & freeway about 10 mins out

  • o
    Nov. 2, 2021

    Boondocking - Coalinga

    Free boondocking

    The street ends and there is a dirt lot past it. You see other trucks, like two, not many at all, that are here resting. I personally pulled into the dirt lot but the trucks are on the sides of the end of the road. You can hear a highway close but honestly, not bad. I feel pretty relaxed and safe here. You have like three fast food places within walking distance so you’re not in a sketchy, middle of nowhere place and not many people come all the way to the end of the road.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2021

    Boondocking - Coalinga

    Quiet boondock spot

    Got tired and needed a place to sleep for the night; this area is popular with semi drivers and safe and quiet, with 24-hour bathrooms nearby.

  • Stephanie F.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Tumey Hills Box Canyon

    Didn’t stay

    As a solo camper didn’t look safe with the people that were there hanging around, it didn’t even look like there was that many places to camp. Look dirty too and people shooting in the area leaving trash. I didn’t even stay I ended up in walmart parking lot for night cause it was the only closest thing around. Maybe looks pretty when things are green but everything was dead

  • Natalie T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 22, 2024

    Tumey Hills Box Canyon

    Bewarned; Target shooting +11 hrs/day

    First, knowing nothing about this area of CA I looked for a spot to set up for a few to dry out, we'd just dropped out of Shasta Mt b4 heavy winter storms. Arrived late afternoon to set up. Problem is the ground is covered, literally, with all the casings, glass, human trash everywhere 😮‍💨 🙏 please, always pack out a bit more than you've created in an area. These pics are the cleanest spot I could find. 😪

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 14, 2023

    Tumey Hills Box Canyon

    Quiet at Night

    I couldn’t really identify this place as a campground. It is a shooting range. If you’re in to target practice you’d give it a five. It’s fairly desolate, a port-a-potty, (bring your own TP) and sparse camping spots. One picnic table sat in a day use area, and that gravel parking area is where we set up. It was perfectly flat and level. We didn’t even unhook the trailer. Pack it in and out as there are no services at all other than the potty. The three mile road in from I-5 is paved half way and well-graded dirt the rest. After the shooting stopped, about 8:30 PM, it was amazingly quiet. For us, needing only a stop-over, it was perfect.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2023

    Boondocking - Coalinga

    Solid Stay off the interstate

    Basic pull off area that is good for a nights rest. There are a couple of gas stations and fast food restaurants nearby. The parking area is relatively quite and there is a good amount of room to park and sleep.


Guide to Mendota

Dispersed camping options near Mendota, California primarily exist on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in the surrounding hills and valleys. Located in the western San Joaquin Valley at approximately 180 feet elevation, this area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 100°F and mild winters. The surrounding terrain consists mainly of grasslands that transform seasonally from vibrant green in spring to golden brown during summer and fall months.

What to do

Shooting activities: Plan accordingly. Target shooting remains a primary activity at Tumey Hills Box Canyon, typically occurring from early morning until sunset. "I like this place because the angle of the sun should give some extra time in the morning to break down... To be honest, there are gun shell casings everywhere but I think that's probably a weekend thing," notes James D.

Overnight stops: Use as waypoints. Many travelers utilize rustic camping areas near Mendota as convenient overnight stops when traveling through California's Central Valley. "For us, needing only a stop-over, it was perfect," reports Dan M. about his experience at Tumey Hills.

Wildlife viewing: Spring seasons best. The BLM lands surrounding Mendota offer opportunities to observe native wildlife, particularly during spring when vegetation is lush. Genesis C. describes Tumey Hills as "Beautiful BLM land" and recommends bringing water supplies for your stay.

What campers like

Self-sufficient camping: Complete isolation. The remote nature of dispersed camping near Mendota appeals to those seeking minimal interaction. "After the shooting stopped, about 8:30 PM, it was amazingly quiet," reports Dan M. about the evening atmosphere at Tumey Hills.

Convenience to services: Unexpected proximity. Despite the rustic camping experience, some sites offer surprising access to amenities. Kenny T. appreciated that Tumey Hills provided "Easy overnight BLM spot, we stayed overnight on the way to San Jose - easy to navigate, find & park. Close by amenities gas stations, mcdonald's & freeway about 10 mins out."

Level parking: No setup required. Many dispersed camping areas feature flat, gravel surfaces ideal for overnight parking. "It was perfectly flat and level. We didn't even unhook the trailer," notes a visitor to the area, highlighting the ease of setup for quick overnight stays.

What you should know

Facilities: Extremely limited. Even at established dispersed sites, expect minimal infrastructure. Dan M. explains that at Boondocking - Coalinga, there are "no services at all other than the potty." Pack accordingly with toilet paper, water, and all necessary supplies.

Accessibility concerns: Verify before traveling. Road conditions vary dramatically based on recent weather and maintenance. The access road to Tumey Hills includes both paved and unpaved sections, with "three mile road in from I-5 is paved half way and well-graded dirt the rest."

Seasonal appeal: Dramatically different experiences. The landscape transforms completely between seasons. Melanie M. notes, "This was such a beautiful spot. It had the greenest hills. It was very peaceful at night," describing spring conditions at Tumey Hills, while summer visitors often encounter brown, dry terrain.

Tips for camping with families

Safety planning: Research current conditions. Families should evaluate the appropriateness of each site before committing. Stephanie F. advises caution: "As a solo camper didn't look safe with the people that were there hanging around, it didn't even look like there was that many places to camp."

Alternative options: Consider developed campgrounds. For families seeking facilities, dispersed sites may prove challenging. "If you aren't sleeping in a camper or in your car, don't waste your time. It's a parking lot," warns Tanner C. about expectations at Momyer Creek Trail 1E06.

Weekday visits: Avoid weekend crowds. Visiting during weekdays typically provides a quieter experience with fewer recreational shooters and other visitors. "I ended up in walmart parking lot for night cause it was the only closest thing around," shares one traveler who found the weekend atmosphere not suitable.

Tips from RVers

Supply planning: Complete self-sufficiency required. RVers near Mendota should arrive fully stocked. Olivia describes the Coalinga location: "You have like three fast food places within walking distance so you're not in a sketchy, middle of nowhere place and not many people come all the way to the end of the road."

Overnight comfort: Background noise considerations. Highway noise affects some dispersed camping areas. "You can hear a highway close but honestly, not bad. I feel pretty relaxed and safe here," notes a visitor regarding the ambient noise levels at the Coalinga boondocking area.

Bathroom access: Know nearby options. Some RVers appreciate the proximity to commercial facilities. Winnie K. mentions the Coalinga area is "popular with semi drivers and safe and quiet, with 24-hour bathrooms nearby," making it practical for overnight stays without onboard facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Mendota, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Mendota, CA is Tumey Hills Box Canyon with a 3.6-star rating from 11 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Mendota, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Mendota, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.