Best Dispersed Camping near Merced, CA

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Merced, CA (8)


Recent Dispersed Reviews in Merced

61 Reviews of 8 Merced Campgrounds


  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
    Nov. 30, 2024

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Ideal

    Quite a large level area, though it was November and not peak season so there were loads of space. We pulled in and there were a couple of trailers with horses and a couple of other vehicles and we parked with loads of space between. When we left early in the morning a handful more of vehicles had joined.

  • Natalie T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Tumey Hills Box Canyon
    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. 😪

  • Jason B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Tumey Hills Box Canyon
    Nov. 15, 2024

    Tumey Hills Box Canyon

    This is closed

    The nature minder people closed this down and Panoche hills down due to environmental concerns regarding the decrease in population of a lizard.

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Flat Road
    Nov. 9, 2024

    Hardin Flat Road

    Dispersed Camping MINUTES from Yosemite NP

    Spent (2) nights here and loved it. Enough T-Mobile service for messaging and lite web browsing. Spacious pull-out with a small rock fire pit. I believe fires are allowed as long as you have a permit.

    ~8min drive to Big Oak Entrance and ~40min drive to Yosemite Valley Welcome Center. Why stay at Hodgdon when you can stay here!

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Kamook Staging Camp
    Oct. 18, 2024

    Kamook Staging Camp

    Hidden space close to Yosemite NP

    I was expecting bad conditions because of the previous comments but it was actually a good surprise. It's very close to the entrance of Yosemite, in our case it was very quiet and well isolated. There is no view or wow effect but it's great location and isolated.

  • Miles L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Evergreen Rd Dispersed camping
    Sep. 25, 2024

    Evergreen Rd Dispersed camping

    A few spots scattered along the road

    Nothing fancy or too expansive, but a handful of spots on either side of the road. Certainly easier to settle in before it’s dark.

  • Mouni The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Kamook Staging Camp
    Sep. 23, 2024

    Kamook Staging Camp

    Not ideal

    This is more of an ATV spot, I arrived on a Sunday evening and the ATV people were set up and essentially taking up most of the spots meant for camping. They were using the many many trails meant for ATVs before I arrived and, when I parked a decent distance away from where they were set up, they opted to ride circles around my RV throwing dust everywhere and revving their engines (likely an attempt to run me off). The open space at the top of the hill where the restrooms are is meant for camping, I would NOT ADVISE taking any of the other roads as they are steep, uneven, and you will struggle to turn around.

    There’s one spot at the entrance good for camping (away from most of the ATV action) but it is taken up by a permanent boondocker.

  • DJ M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Flat Road
    Aug. 11, 2024

    Hardin Flat Road

    Pine and Cedar forest

    All wheel drive, okay. Large grounds, many motorbike and trails, permit required (bikes). Camped upper level. Please pack in, pack out, don't make others clean up after you.

  • Bobby J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Flat Road
    Jul. 18, 2024

    Hardin Flat Road

    Really Nice Stay close to Yosemite

    This was a really nice stay close to Yosemite with really spread out spots. Couldn’t even see your neighbor and the vicinity to the park made it perfect. It’s 4 stars because you could hear the traffic from the main road from my spot

  • samuel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Flat Road
    Jul. 16, 2024

    Hardin Flat Road

    Great spot

    Awesome spot close to Yosemite, road isn’t too bad and it’s absolutely beautiful. I wasn’t bothered . I recommend arriving a little early, we didn’t have a little trouble finding the right road.

  • Nathan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
    Jul. 3, 2024

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Close, free, and beautiful

    We got there at 5pm on a Sunday. Went all the way to the back and In my opinion got the best spot. We had plenty of trees around us for privacy and shade. Highly recommend if you’re trying to camp close to Yosemite without a reservation. Only downside were the mosquitoes were on another level. They turned off once it got dark though.

  • Vinny D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
    Jun. 13, 2024

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Great spot, only down fall is the mosquitos!

    This spot is great, right outside the YNP, but the mosquitos will suck ever last drop of blood out of you! This was the very back spot but also a quiet spot.

  • Aidan D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Decent spot

    This is a good location right near the south entrance of the park, but still about an hour from the valley. It was a little crowded and pretty bumpy road to get into the sites. But it worked well for staying for the night.

  • Maile H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Flat Road
    May. 29, 2024

    Hardin Flat Road

    Unlabeled road and awesome

    Kind of hard to find the road i just had to guess based on the pin point but i guessed right and immediately saw spots. i turned left and there were a few spots didn't explore to the right.

    So beautiful great place to stop in order to get into the park early if you don't have a reservation

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Flat Road
    May. 29, 2024

    Hardin Flat Road

    Beautiful & Convenient BUT

    May 28, 2024

    Convenient to park entrance & beautiful landscape BUT finding a spot late at night was very difficult.

    However, I noticed that the temperature over night here was about 10 degrees warmer that other areas nearby (we were at about 51 degrees at night but areas closer to Rush Creek Lodge and on Evergreen Road were in the 40’s.

  • Alexis O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping
    May. 28, 2024

    Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping

    amazing & accesible spot !

    super accessible spot right by the entrance (10 min drive max) to yosemite np !! not sure why some of these reviews are complicated lol but just go up mount raymond road like the directions tell you to then once you get to the end i just went to the turn out on the right ! super lowkey, fire pits, and beautiful scenery 🌱

  • Caroline D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Flat Road
    May. 4, 2024

    Hardin Flat Road

    Few locations along the road

    we arrived at night, the pitches were already occupied. we tried to join a van already parked, but the man was not very friendly and asked us to leave. so we took the road further down and slept near the intersection.

  • Caroline D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
    May. 4, 2024

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Great free camp at the exit of Yosemite park

    Great location, close to Yosemite Park which allows you to sleep for free. the spot was clean, impressive camper vans were present and they were parked on the tarmac. lots of pitches, vans can be placed under the trees with the tents.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Flat Road
    Apr. 7, 2024

    Hardin Flat Road

    Visited in April

    Went on 4/5/24 - 4/7/24. I stayed to car camp and had an overall nice time. There was a good amount of ice but with 4x4 not problem. The ice was melting so if you go anytime after the snow should be a lot less.

    There’s enough space for you to distance yourself from others.

    No bear boxes or bathrooms but very safe and easy to access.

  • 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.

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
    Dec. 24, 2023

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Great quiet campsite

    We stayed here when visiting Yosemite and it was a great location, easy to find in the dark, and quiet. Part of the road was closed due to the season but we were still able to find a spot and had the place to ourselves. No cell service, bathrooms, or clear fire pits but it didn’t bother us!

  • Amanda H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
    Nov. 9, 2023

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Perfect place to stop

    Was a great place to stop so we could get an early start towards Yosemite. The stars were beautiful as there is almost no light pollution. There were a few others parked around the edge of the big lot and people were friendly. Easy to find. Will keep this spot saved. It was very cold, a bit icy in the morning the second week of November.



Guide to Merced

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Merced, California, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and a sense of adventure. With a variety of options available, campers can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the great outdoors.

Scenic Retreats for Dispersed Campers

  • The Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site offers a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by trees, providing privacy and shade, making it an ideal choice for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
  • Located near the south entrance of Yosemite, Hardin Flat Road features spacious sites that allow for a quiet camping experience, perfect for those wanting to explore the national park without the crowds.
  • For a quick getaway, Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping is just a short drive from the park entrance, making it convenient for campers eager to start their adventures early.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Merced

  • Campers at Tumey Hills Box Canyon can enjoy hiking through lush green hills, providing a peaceful backdrop for nature walks and photography.
  • The Kamook Staging Camp is a great spot for ATV enthusiasts, offering access to numerous trails for off-road adventures right from your camping site.
  • For those seeking a quieter experience, Evergreen Rd Dispersed Camping provides a few scattered spots along the road, perfect for settling in and enjoying the tranquility of nature.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Tumey Hills

  • The Tumey Hills area is known for its stunning landscapes and is a great choice for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying a peaceful camping experience.
  • With its proximity to amenities, Tumey Hills offers a convenient stop for travelers heading to San Jose, making it an easy overnight option for those on the go.
  • Campers can expect a serene environment at Tumey Hills, where the quiet nights and beautiful scenery create a perfect escape from everyday life.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Merced, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Merced, CA is Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near Merced, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.