Best Dispersed Camping near Middletown, CA
High Valley Road leads to several dispersed camping areas near Middletown, with views overlooking Clear Lake. The dirt access road is challenging, with steep sections and loose gravel that may require high-clearance or AWD vehicles. According to one camper, "The road to this pin is completely impassable in any regular vehicle, this would require an ATV." Other visitors note a standard AWD SUV can manage the journey with careful driving.
BLM Sheldon Creek offers primitive camping with basic amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits at some sites. Located up a winding dirt road, this area features approximately 4-5 campsites near a small creek. "There are about 4/5 sites, only 2 with actual fire pits," one visitor reported. Cowboy Camp, another BLM area, provides open camping in a grassy field with vault toilets, though recent reviews indicate seasonal closures. Most dispersed sites in this region enforce a 14-day camping limit, with fire restrictions common during dry months. Pack out all trash, as many sites lack waste facilities.
