Best Dispersed Camping near Norco, CA
Dispersed camping can be found within the Angeles National Forest and San Bernardino National Forest areas near Norco, California. Several free primitive camping zones are located along forest service roads including Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites, Rim of the World Byway, and Mill Creek Dispersed Camping. These areas typically require no reservations but operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The Angeles Crest area also permits roadside camping at designated pull-offs, though this is not formal camping. Most sites are primitive with no established facilities and fall under U.S. Forest Service management, requiring campers to practice Leave No Trace principles.
Many access roads to dispersed camping sites require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles, particularly at Stockton Flats where the approach includes steep inclines and rough terrain. As one camper noted, "Trail was fun (definitely needed 4x4) and the sites around had good shade." The Mill Creek area offers better accessibility, with a reviewer mentioning, "There are over a dozen sites along the main road. If you can pull in, it's a site." Most areas have no drinking water, restrooms, or trash service. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry months. Camping duration is typically limited to 7 days in Angeles National Forest, and permits may be required for backcountry sites in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.
These dispersed camping areas provide varying experiences from mountain views to creekside settings. The Rim of the World Byway offers dramatic vistas but limited privacy. A camper described it as having an "easy in and out but next to train tracks," making it suitable for overnight stops rather than extended stays. Angeles Crest Overlook sites function more as roadside pull-offs than traditional camping areas, with one reviewer cautioning that "kids do tend to party up here and drive about 100 miles an hour up and down the road all hours of the night." For more secluded options, Mill Creek Dispersed Camping features wooded sites where "some spots are more secluded than others" with "good cellular reception" in certain locations.
