Best Dispersed Camping near Milford, CA

Dispersed camping around Milford, California centers primarily on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), with Fort Sage Off Highway Vehicle Area serving as the most developed free camping option in the region. Several primitive sites are located within 20-30 miles of Milford, including Antelope Mountain Dispersed Camp and CA-139 Pull Off Area to the north. These areas provide basic, no-fee camping opportunities on public land with varying levels of accessibility and minimal facilities. East Eagle Lake and Willard Creek offer additional dispersed camping options slightly farther from town, typically attracting visitors seeking quieter alternatives to established campgrounds.

Access roads to many dispersed camping areas near Milford require careful navigation. Fort Sage OHV Area can be reached via approximately 3-4 miles of gravel road with some washboarding, but remains accessible for most vehicles including larger rigs. Many other sites, such as Antelope Mountain, feature rougher dirt roads that may necessitate high-clearance vehicles, particularly after wet weather. Most dispersed sites provide no drinking water, restroom facilities, or trash collection, though Fort Sage notably features vault toilets that users consistently rate as exceptionally clean. Fires are permitted at several locations including Fort Sage, but seasonal restrictions may apply. Camping is typically limited to 14 days in a 30-day period, following standard BLM regulations.

The dispersed camping experience near Milford varies significantly across locations. Fort Sage offers the most amenities with fire pits, picnic tables, and grills at designated sites while maintaining a remote feel. The landscape features sage and juniper vegetation with expansive mountain views, and coyotes can often be heard at night. Many areas experience minimal crowding except during OHV events or peak seasons. Cell service is spotty but available at some sites, particularly at Fort Sage. One review noted the Fort Sage area has "pristine bathrooms, great fire pits and grills at the sites, definitely a hidden gem and far enough off the highway to have zero noise." Another visitor mentioned that "the dirt road on the way to the campsite is pretty washboarded" but that didn't detract from the overall experience.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Milford, California (21)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Milford, CA

22 Reviews of 21 Milford Campgrounds


  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Tahoe Dispersed Camping

    Great New Spot

    The turn off to the dirt road was 300 ft past where the app said it was. Once we got deeper into the forest my gps wasn’t on the the route depicted on Dyrt, but it’s a fun trail. We went in about a mile in our RAM Promaster converted van then turned around and took a big flat spot closer to the road.

  • ron R.
    Oct. 12, 2024

    Peavine Road Dispersed Camping

    Complete trash dump

    It's sad where we have this public land to camp on and people just dump tons and tons of trash and abandoned cars and demolished cars on the property would not recommend going. There's some more BLM land about 15 to 20 minutes north on Red Rock road.

  • Genevieve R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 28, 2023

    Peavine Road Dispersed Camping

    Lots of trash and shells

    I live 10 minutes away, so I checked it out. It's sketchy driving in with a lot of trailers and cars along the road closer to the main road. There may or may nor have been people in them. We didn't see people walking around except one guy who was walking his dog on the dirt road and another guy nearby with a table next to his car. Maybe he was flying a drone. The dirt road was very rutted in a few areas. No big deal, but I was in my Jeep Trailhawk 4x4. I didn't have my trailer with me. The view of the city is great, but that's it. The area to pull off is not that big, so I think it would be crowded with more than 2 other trailers. It wasn't windy at all when we were there, but I'm sure it could be because it can be very windy in this area. I wouldn't stay here unless I absolutely had to for the night. I did hear gunshots in the distance. We only stayed a few minutes to take a few pictures. No amenities like fire rings or tables.

  • Genevieve R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 29, 2023

    Moon Rocks Camp

    Beautiful! Easy access.

    I live nearby, so my family and I went for the day. We left just before sunset. It's gorgeous here. The dirt road is pretty good and not difficult for my Jeep Trailhawk 4x4. There were about 3 other groups. We were there on a Thursday. We walked around the whole area where the rocks were. The campsite overlooks a valley where there is an airport. We saw a couple of paragliders. On the way in from Reno, it's very easy to find. I would love to stay here in my travel trailer. There were some huge rigs out there. All of those people had dune buggies, but nobody was driving around on the rocks when we were there. There are no amenities at all. There is just a big clearing for campers. We took our dog. She had fun.

  • aThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2024

    Antelope Mountain Dispersed Camp

    One good area

    We only found one good area and it already had 2 people at it. It had level sites and nice tall trees. It also tucked in out of the wind. We some for other sites but they were windy, rough road to reach them, and not level so we moved on

  • Daisee Mae S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2022

    CA-139 Pull Off Area

    Somewhere to Rest

    This is literally right off the highway, it might be hard to spot unless someone else is there.

    The roads to the spots are a little rutted, no low profile vehicles, but it’s easy to access.

    There is no name to this place, and the bulletin board has zero information.

    Possibly 5-6 spaces. The most people that was here any given night were just stopping for a place to rest for the night.

    No bathrooms, trash or water. One of the locals said there is a junk yard you can walk to from here but we never found it.

    Traffic noise dies down around 10/11PM. Unless the occasional driver is honking at absolutely nothing, it’s pretty quiet.

    We heard gunshots around 9PM that lasted for about an hour. Seems the people around here hunt at night.

    Definitely just a place to rest or gather yourself for a couple of days. I’m not sure about the amount of time you can stay here. But hey, it’s free!

  • tom P.
    Jul. 23, 2024

    Rocky Point Dispersed Camping

    Suitable but barren

    There's signs acknowledging it's free camping. Large barren area with a toilet near the lake. Not great for a tent but can make it work. Good distance away from roads and houses. Lake view.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2021

    Bogard USFS Dispersed

    Good for a night or two - can be muddy in Spring

    The main road to Bogard Campground had too much snow for us to be able to pass through, so we found this small clearing tucked away off of Forest Route 32N09 in Lassen Nat’l Forest to stay overnight instead. 

    It’s a nice open flat-ish space, big enough for several rigs as well as big enough to do a complete u-turn in our 26ft class c without having to back up. 

    It’s quiet except for lots of distant road noise from the highway and surprisingly frequent train noise in the distance. We stayed here on a Sunday night in April, and did not see another soul. There seems to be a lot of logging activity in this area though, and we wondered if this clearing was some sort of staging area for the loggers.  

    There’s a small pond here at this time of year, probably from runoff from snow melt. Be aware of the ground near the water being deceptively solid but saturated with water and muddy. Our tires sank a bit when we tried to park too close to the water. 

    Zero cell service for any of the 3 major carriers, and our cell booster did not help much.


Guide to Milford

Dispersed camping near Milford, California offers rugged terrain at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 5,500 feet with juniper woodlands and sagebrush dominating the landscape. Winter temperatures can drop well below freezing, while summer days typically reach 85-95°F. Most sites require visitors to pack out all waste and bring their own water supply, as natural sources are scarce in this high desert environment.

What to do

OHV riding: Fort Sage Off Highway Vehicle Area features an extensive trail network for off-highway vehicles. "Trail riding galore. Went on all the trails and out in the sand dune area we came upon wild horses, this was quite a site to see. They were just running and being playful," reports Patricia N., who recommends avoiding summer visits due to heat.

Stargazing: The dark skies provide exceptional viewing opportunities at primitive sites. At Moon Rocks Camp, camper Anna B. describes, "The moon and the stars were so bright, it felt like we were on another planet." Light pollution is minimal at most Milford-area campsites, with best viewing typically between 10 PM and 2 AM.

Wildlife observation: Many sites offer opportunities to spot local wildlife including coyotes, jackrabbits, and occasionally wild horses. "Sage and Juniper surround this area. You can even hear the coyotes calling to one another at night," notes Dani P. about Fort Sage OHV Area.

What campers like

Clean vault toilets: The quality of vault toilets at Fort Sage OHV Area consistently impresses visitors. Shirley W. states they're the "Cleanest pit toilets we've experienced anywhere," while Jordan H. notes their accessibility: "Clean bathrooms (outhouse), picnic tables, fire pit, and a great panoramic Mountain View sunset."

Quiet atmosphere: Most dispersed sites maintain a peaceful environment, especially on weekdays. At East Eagle Lake, Gregg T. reports having "the area to ourselves" and taking "a nice walk by the lake." Most campers report minimal crowding except during peak summer weekends and OHV events.

Affordability: Free camping options throughout the region allow for extended stays. Big Dog Valley camper Jake H. appreciates it as a "favorite quick escape from town" with "so many places to explore that it doesn't get old." Standard 14-day stay limits apply to most BLM sites in the region.

What you should know

Road conditions: Access varies significantly by site, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles. The CA-139 Pull Off Area has "roads to the spots are a little rutted, no low profile vehicles, but it's easy to access," according to Daisee Mae S. Fort Sage access is generally easier, with Toby T. noting the "road is well maintained gravel, no potholes."

Fire restrictions: Always check current fire regulations before visiting. While fires are permitted at most sites during cooler months, summer restrictions often prohibit open flames. The region falls under California Fire Protection jurisdiction, requiring campfire permits even for dispersed camping during permitted periods.

Weather preparedness: Temperature swings of 30-40°F between day and night are common. At Antelope Mountain Dispersed Camp, camper Alan C. warns about wind exposure: "We only found one good area... It had level sites and nice tall trees. It also tucked in out of the wind. We some for other sites but they were windy."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection: Choose locations with amenities when camping with children. Jules S. recommends Fort Sage: "EXCELLENT free campsites! Easy to get to, roughly 3-4 miles of gravel road. Campsites with tables, fire pits, and grills. Out house at current camp spot. Very clean and quiet."

Wildlife awareness: Teach children about local wildlife safety, particularly regarding coyotes. At Antelope Mountain Dispersed Camp, Tyler B. describes it as "Not a bad place to spend a night or two primitive camping" with basic cell service available for emergency communications.

Water planning: Pack 1-2 gallons of water per person per day, as no potable water exists at any dispersed sites. Fill containers in Milford or nearby towns before arrival, as the nearest reliable water source may be 30+ minutes away by vehicle.

Tips from RVers

Site spacing: Fort Sage provides ample room for larger rigs with designated sites. "Sites are nicely spaced, large and maintained," reports Toby T., while Jules S. adds you can "easily get a big rig in here" and notes having "1 bar [of AT&T], but excellent starlink."

Leveling challenges: Many dispersed areas feature uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks or careful site selection. Moon Rocks camper Genevieve R. observed that "there were some huge rigs out there" despite the primitive conditions, suggesting careful navigation is possible with larger vehicles.

Waste management: With no dump facilities at most sites, plan accordingly for holding tank capacity. "There are no amenities at all," notes Genevieve R., making proper waste management essential for responsible RV camping in these rustic locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Milford, CA is Fort Sage Off Highway Vehicle Area with a 4.9-star rating from 13 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 21 dispersed camping locations near Milford, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.