Top Free Dispersed Camping near Mendota, CA

Looking for the best dispersed camping near Mendota? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. Search nearby dispersed campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Mendota, CA (3)

    Camper-submitted photo from Tumey Hills Box Canyon
    Camper-submitted photo from Tumey Hills Box Canyon
    Camper-submitted photo from Tumey Hills Box Canyon
    Camper-submitted photo from Tumey Hills Box Canyon
    Camper-submitted photo from Tumey Hills Box Canyon
    Camper-submitted photo from Tumey Hills Box Canyon

    1. Tumey Hills Box Canyon

    5 Reviews
    15 Photos
    114 Saves

    Sign in front with gate closed says “closed to motorized vehicles April-October”

    Look closely at the ground you will find evidence of the vast inland sea that once covered the Tumey Hills. The light porous rocks are composed of diatoms, the tiny, bleached, shell-like skeletons of sea algae. Annual grasslands are lovely in springtime, with beautiful wildflower displays. Rarely seen federally-protected San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and giant kangaroo rats make their homes in these hills. Visitors enjoy a day use facility with parking, shade structures, picnic benches, vault toilets and an interpretive kiosk with a map and information about the area.

    • Pets
    • Phone Service
    • Dispersed
    • Picnic Table
    • Toilets
    • No image available
      • No image available

      Recent Dispersed Reviews In Mendota

      10 Reviews of 3 Mendota Campgrounds


      • T
        Camper-submitted photo from Boondocking - Coalinga
        Sep. 26, 2024

        Boondocking - Coalinga

        Waste of time

        If you aren’t sleeping in a camper or in your car, don’t waste your time. It’s a parking lot. Didn’t clearly specify

      • mThe Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Tumey Hills Box Canyon
        Mar. 23, 2024

        Tumey Hills Box Canyon

        Beautiful spot

        This was such a beautiful spot. It had the greenest hills. It was very peaceful at night. There were people shooting in the morning. But overall the spot was really nice for one night.

      • J
        Camper-submitted photo from Boondocking - Coalinga
        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.

      • DThe Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Tumey Hills Box Canyon
        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.

      • k
        Camper-submitted photo from Tumey Hills Box Canyon
        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
        Camper-submitted photo from Boondocking - Coalinga
        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.

      • W
        Camper-submitted photo from Boondocking - Coalinga
        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.



      Guide to Mendota

      Camping near Mendota, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

      What to do:

      • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Pinnacles Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "The trails are wild, like a moonscape," making it a great spot for adventure seekers.
      • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground have spotted a ton of wildlife. One visitor noted, "Seen a ton of wildlife and overall wasn’t very crowded."
      • Star Gazing: The dark skies at Laguna Mountain Campground make it perfect for star gazing. A camper shared, "Great views. Very dark at night which is great for star gazing."

      What campers like:

      • Secluded Spots: Many campers appreciate the privacy at Wildcat Campground. One reviewer said, "The tall grass gave some privacy between neighboring campsites."
      • Friendly Hosts: Campers at Shooting Star Sanctuary and Retreat near Yosemite National Forest rave about the welcoming atmosphere. A visitor mentioned, "Jason was such a friendly, helpful, and welcoming host!"
      • Clean Facilities: The cleanliness of the restrooms and showers at Yosemite RV Resort is a big plus. One camper stated, "Such an amazing site with clean amenities."

      What you should know:

      • Heat in Summer: Campers at Pinnacles Campground warn about the heat. One reviewer said, "It is WICKED hot in the summer."
      • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground, lack certain amenities. A visitor noted, "Water access is not the easiest from the sites."
      • Crowded on Weekends: Expect busy weekends at popular spots like California Spring Cove. One camper mentioned, "The campground is super tight. Sites are very close."

      Tips for camping with families:

      • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with pools, like Almond Tree Oasis RV Park. A reviewer said, "There are two saltwater pools to jump into."
      • Nature Exploration: Encourage kids to explore the wildlife at Thousand Trails San Benito. One family shared, "We had Condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads."
      • Plan for Heat: Bring plenty of water and sunscreen, especially if you're camping at places like Pinnacles Campground during summer.

      Tips from RVers:

      • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups, such as Yosemite RV Resort. One RVer mentioned, "We booked a pull through deluxe full hookup site."
      • Easy Access: Choose campgrounds that are easy to access from the highway, like Almond Tree Oasis RV Park. A visitor noted, "Right off the I-5 freeway next to a Shell and Valero gas station."
      • Check for Amenities: Before booking, check what amenities are available. One RVer at California Spring Cove said, "The campground has terrible direction and signage."

      Camping near Mendota, California, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking comfort.

      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 3.8-star rating from 5 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.