Best Dispersed Camping near Niland, CA

Want to go dispersed camping near Niland? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your California camping adventure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Niland, CA (40)

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Showing results 1-10 of 40 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Niland

126 Reviews of 40 Niland Campgrounds


  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed
    Sep. 14, 2024

    Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed

    One of our favorites

    We love this BLM dispersed boondock area. It’s one of our go-tos. There’s always room, even though there are always lots of other campers here. Once you leave the main road and drive on the dirt road for a bit in either direction, people start to thin out and you have your own huge patch of camping. 

    The road is washboard in parts, but manageable. Heads up that the BLM land is a checkerboard type situation, but nobody seemed to care. People were camped anywhere, and we’ve never seen anyone from BLM come by. 

    Cell service is great out here. Getting your spot level is tricky each time, and we usually have to dig a hole on one side and use levels on the other just to get our rig level. Of course we fill the holes back in when we leave.

  • Ciara W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua Tree South Dispersed Camping
    Aug. 6, 2024

    Joshua Tree South Dispersed Camping

    Base camp close to Joshua Tree

    We stayed here for 2 nights and worked from here with our starlink. Great internet - we had 2 people doing video calls.

    Each site is pretty large and can fit at least 3 vans but they’re only about 100 ft off the dirt road.

  • JJ D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua Tree South Dispersed Camping
    Jun. 14, 2024

    Joshua Tree South Dispersed Camping

    Ease of access and free

    Great location in proximity just outside of Joshua Tree National Park. There are plenty of spots for tents, pop-ups, campers, or RVs. Fire rings are already established.

  • Bubble G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Mountain Road Camp
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Black Mountain Road Camp

    Beautiful Views, Quiet Solitude

    Traveling down Black Mountain road for about 2miles of wash boards before turning down the camping road.

    All the sites were empty as it was almost 100degrees outside and nothing for shade of a creature larger than a bird could find. But here we found quiet solitude and a cooler evening, perhaps the winds helped.

    If you have furry friends keep a watch for their paws, there’s small cacti/pokeys scattered about.

    Lovely sunrise and sunset 360 views.

    Good Verizon service!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Box Canyon Dispersed
    Apr. 18, 2024

    Box Canyon Dispersed

    Sweet spot

    Pretty sandy - would recommend 4wd but i suspect you could get in without. got my jeep deep into the canyon between coachella weekends and was the only person there.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Yaqui Pass Camp
    Apr. 14, 2024

    Yaqui Pass Camp

    Easy stop if you need, otherwise keep driving

    Drove in..., drove out. As another review noted, it's a big parking lot. Fine if you just need a place to pull over, nothing of value there..., maybe proximity to a hiking trail.

  • amanda R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed
    Apr. 4, 2024

    Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed

    Great night!

    Really convenient if you’re in Joshua Tree. The sunset was a 10/10. Very quiet, but we went in July so it was miserably hot. There are fire circles scattered throughout each site. Cell service for xfinity was great. Very nice quiet night

  • T&A Adventures *.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed
    Mar. 23, 2024

    Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed

    Joshua Tree Free

    Stayed 1 night in this easy to access free area near entrance to the National Park. No fee required to camp here. Was not busy at all end of March. Fire Rings randomly throughout. Verizon 5G works great here.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Holtville Hot Springs Dispersed Site
    Jan. 7, 2024

    Holtville Hot Springs Dispersed Site

    Amazing Soaks to be had!

    We loved this spot. FREE Dispersed camping is located just past power lines behind the actual hot springs. To stay at the LTVA you must have self contained trailer, van, rv…we didn’t know this. It worked out better-FREE camping and just a lil over an ¼ mile to the springs. It is well maintained by camp host Bill. Vault toilets, with TP & bonus there is great food at The Holtville Taco Shop 7 miles from springs. The Del Sol market has great marinated chicken for the BBQ and the tortillas are best outside of Mexico I have found. We will be back as the sunsets are too good not to experience over and over again…cold at night this time of year…

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua Tree South Entrance
    Dec. 24, 2023

    Joshua Tree South Entrance

    Avoid long vehicles far down the road

    Nice little spot about two miles from the highway, fairly secluded with many sites scattered around. Suggest arriving before nightfall as it’s difficult to see into the sites at night. I would STRONGLY suggest any trailer vehicles or vehicles over 24 feet, do not continue beyond a few miles- the road starts to become more of a trail, 4x4 experience- narrow corridors and blind hills with short tracts of very high grade. A class A or travel trailer WILL get stuck here!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua Tree South Dispersed Camping
    Dec. 14, 2023

    Joshua Tree South Dispersed Camping

    Good times!

    Been here quite a few times. Depending on the time of year, there can be others close to you...visible...sometimes audible. But, usually you can choose if you want folks close, grab one at the start...if you want to be more solo...dig deeper.

  • Sarah M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Box Canyon Dispersed
    Dec. 2, 2023

    Box Canyon Dispersed

    Deep sand, close to busy road side.

    This is ideally a good spot, but the sand is way too deep to get far enough off of the road.

  • Sarah M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Mecca Hills Wilderness
    Dec. 2, 2023

    Mecca Hills Wilderness

    4x4 required, super deep sand

    Drove up this road thinking it would be okay, but as I got closer to the location, the sand got deeper. At night it was especially hard to see. Any of the roads going off the main road were too deep with sand to get into without getting stuck. Had to turn around and ended up parking closer to JT park.

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Painted Canyon
    Nov. 26, 2023

    Painted Canyon

    Absolutely stunning & so much fun

    This place should be part of the park system. Stunning diversity in color and rock formations. If you hike to the top of the loop, you’ll not only feel like you’ve accomplished something special, but you’ll also get to see the rock formations and vegetation change with elevation. In the higher points of the hikes, you can see the Salton Sea from afar. Absolutely stunning at sunrise and sunset.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Wiley Wells Dispersed - Mule Mountain
    Sep. 30, 2023

    Wiley Wells Dispersed - Mule Mountain

    Excellent alternative to Rest Area

    We stopped at Wileys Well rest area on WB I10. The hum of the freeway & idling big rigs was overwhelming. Pulled up my Dyrt app which directed me over freeway, past the prison & up towards camping sites. There is a lot of soft sand you cannot get around. Recommend ONLY 4WD and knowledge of how to drive on sand. I had traction mats & compressor to pump tires back up. Gorgeous area and far from noisy freeway.

  • Iris A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed
    Aug. 30, 2023

    Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed

    busy campground

    I arrived at 5pm and already almost all spots were taken. I campt on the second site from the road leading to and from the National Park and there was a lot of traffic on it in the evening and well into the night. 

    No facilities but good cell service.

    No shade at daytime, it got hot quickly and at 7am almost everyone was gone already.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua tree BLM by entrance
    Aug. 14, 2023

    Joshua tree BLM by entrance

    Close to freeway

    Great area, only downside is it is close to the freeway, so there will be lights visible from traffic as well as traffic sounds / sirens

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cibola National Wildlife Refuge - East
    May. 26, 2023

    Cibola National Wildlife Refuge - East

    Great open space by Colorado River

    It was great when I got there, they have covered tables with parking beside them, they have spots to park along side the banks, they have a small swimming beach like area. The only drawback from when I was there is extremely windy.

  • Karin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Holtville Hot Springs Dispersed Site
    May. 9, 2023

    Holtville Hot Springs Dispersed Site

    Good

    Area was nice, no trash, host was nice, the only thing was there was A LOT OF FLIES. Other than the flies it’s an good campground, there are pit toilets across the street at the hot springs along with trash cans.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Joshua tree BLM by entrance
    May. 2, 2023

    Joshua tree BLM by entrance

    Great quiet spot for a rest!

    Quiet! Many others, but SO much land, they were quite far from us! Lovely and cool in May! Praise Yahweh!

    Far enough from the interstate, no noise! (No earplugs needed at night!)


Drive Time


Guide to Niland

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Niland, California, where you can immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the tranquility of the desert landscape. This area offers unique spots for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a more rugged camping experience.

Dispersed campers should check out Red Hill Marina Park

  • Located near the Salton Sea, Red Hill Marina Park provides a primitive yet beautiful setting, perfect for those who appreciate nature's raw beauty.
  • The park allows campfires and pets, making it a great choice for families and friends looking to enjoy a cozy evening under the stars.
  • With no permit required and affordable rates, this spot is ideal for spontaneous camping trips.

Birdwatching opportunities at Salton Sea Campground

  • The area around Salton Sea Campground is known for its diverse bird species, making it a hotspot for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.
  • Visitors can enjoy the stunning sunsets over the sea while being surrounded by the sounds of various birds, creating a serene atmosphere.
  • This location is easily accessible by car, allowing for a hassle-free camping experience.

Unique experiences at Slab City for adventurous campers

  • Slab City offers a one-of-a-kind experience for those seeking an unconventional camping adventure in the desert.
  • Known for its eclectic community and art installations, this spot attracts free spirits and those looking to explore a different side of camping culture.
  • While amenities are limited, the vibrant atmosphere and unique stories from fellow campers make it a memorable destination for adventurous souls.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Niland, CA is Joshua Tree South - BLM Dispersed with a 4.3-star rating from 58 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 40 dispersed camping locations near Niland, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.