Best Dispersed Camping near Onyx, CA

Several dispersed camping areas exist around Onyx, California on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands and Sequoia National Forest territory. Hanning Flat Dispersed Area and Stine Cove Recreation Site provide free camping options near Lake Isabella, while Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed and West Keyville Dispersed offer additional locations along the Kern River. These primitive sites typically feature fire rings but minimal other amenities. Most areas follow the standard 14-day camping limit within a 30-day period common on public lands.

Many access roads require careful navigation due to sandy or uneven terrain. Hanning Flat sits on a dried lake bed with sandy soil that may challenge vehicles without four-wheel drive. According to reviews, some campers have needed to dig their vehicles out after becoming stuck. Stine Cove can be accessed by most vehicles when conditions are dry, though finding the correct entrance point has confused some visitors. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans sometimes in effect during high fire danger periods. Most sites lack drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies for the duration of their stay.

These areas provide varying levels of seclusion and natural experiences. Hanning Flat offers more privacy and distance from other campers, while Stine Cove provides lake access but less shelter from winds and less privacy. Wildlife sightings include eagles, pelicans, and grazing cattle. Cell service varies by location and provider, with Verizon generally providing better coverage than other carriers. "We stayed here for several days because we love it so much. Our site was shaded and had a fire pit as well as trees perfectly spaced for our hammock." "Watch for cows grazing in the area, and be prepared for occasional strong winds, especially during winter months."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Onyx, California (42)

    1. Stine Cove Recreation Site

    15 Reviews
    Weldon, CA
    9 miles
    Website

    "Good location. I would definitely do this again. I'm planning to stay for the full 14 days. Tip - Evening winds come from a westerly direction."

    "We love lake Isabella and just discovered this free camp spot right on the beach…"

    2. Hanning Flat Dispersed Area

    7 Reviews
    Weldon, CA
    9 miles
    Website

    "Great hideaway with plenty of dispersed sites. I spent two days here and only seen a handful of vehicles drive through, mostly US Forest Service trucks. Pack in, pack out."

    "On my way into Sequoia NF I was so excited to see Hanning Flats dispersed camping area. My pup and I stayed for three nights and didn’t see another person or vehicle the whole time."

    3. Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed

    11 Reviews
    Lake Isabella, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 391-6000

    "You can park RVs right next to the water but it gets very busy, there are more secluded spots accessible to even Class A rigs further down."

    "We pulled in at night time around 10:30PM. I was scared it would be sketchy, but turned out to be a smooth dirt road. We encountered multiple other campers as well before we found a suitable turnout."

    4. Chico Flat Dispersed Camping - Partially Closed, See Description

    11 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    17 miles
    Website

    "There's great access to the national forest and the little town of Kernville is so cute and friendly."

    "No amenities but still very nice!"

    5. Ant Canyon

    4 Reviews
    Johnsondale, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-3781

    "Overall I recommend going super early because there is always neighbors around and the best spot is next to the big rocks which is a bit secluded from the other campgrounds."

    "The pull off has plenty of parking but I was surprised to find people set up next to their cars, granted there was only one other camping party there."

    6. West Keyville Dispersed

    1 Review
    Lake Isabella, CA
    16 miles

    "I drove past a couple of camp grounds directly at the lake and was very disappointed what I found. Yes, you can camp right at the lake but only if you appreciate the charme of a Walmart parking lot."

    7. Fossil Falls dry lake bed

    11 Reviews
    Little Lake, CA
    27 miles
    Website

    "March 5-6, 2021 This area is pretty trippy going from volcanic rock and flows to various brush to the dry, beautifully cracked dirt."

    "Short drive from 395 and once the road became dirt it was easily navigable in our Promaster. No one else there. Nice wide open views."

    8. Brush Creek Recreation Site

    7 Reviews
    Johnsondale, CA
    24 miles
    Website

    "This is our favorite campground in the Sequoia National Forest, of the four we've stayed in."

    "Waters were quick but the few creeks around the area should be cared for, cleaned, and enjoyed on every opportunity possible."

    9. Black Gulch South Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Bodfish, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-3781

    10. Jawbone Canyon OHV Area — Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area

    8 Reviews
    Cantil, CA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 384-5400

    "This is BLM land camping in an OHV area that we used for an overnight. For this purpose it was great. A paved road leads to endless dispersed camping options in a beautifully rugged canyon."

    "It can get really warm so we set up under a shaded tree which helped a lot. We had a fire pit for the evenings too, so that was nice. Lots of trails to ride - for beginners to advanced."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 42 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Onyx, CA

139 Reviews of 42 Onyx Campgrounds


  • Mike N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2021

    Hanning Flat Dispersed Area

    Great hideaway

    Great hideaway with plenty of dispersed sites. I spent two days here and only seen a handful of vehicles drive through, mostly US Forest Service trucks. Pack in, pack out. No toilets, showers, or water so bring in everything you need. 14 days of free camping every 30 days. A great find to get away from it all.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2023

    East Mojave Camp

    Very very remote

    Very remote absolutely nothing out there. Definitely somewhere you need to be aware of your surroundings. You can get far enough away from the highway that you don’t need to worry about people driving by. There is nothing out here. The road to it is unmarked and very unmaintained Would definitely recommend high clearance vehicle if you want to be further away then 100 feet from the highway. Lots of wash outs. Beautiful sunrise. We were the only people there.

  • Popeye F.
    Sep. 6, 2022

    Dispersed Camping

    San Bernardino National Forest

    Dispersed camping at a Yellow Post campsite was great. About 4 mi. of washboard dirt road past Heart Bar Campground to Yellow post site #6. No amenities other than a picnic table and a fire ring. That means, bring plenty of water and a port-a-potty. There is no fee, however, you need to go on line to get a fire permit, which is necessary even for a propane stove. Actually, the fire permit is for anything that has a flame. This trip was over Labor Day weekend of 2022 and the use of the fire pit was forbidden at that time due to high fire hazard conditions. The campsites are quite far apart so you feel a sense of privacy. However, you will see vehicles and or horses go by on the road next to the campsite. Some of the vehicles drive fast on the dirt road which can kick up dust clouds. This is only a problem if you are downwind. The temperature was about 83 for a high and 55 for a low and the wind was light and comfortable. We were glad we had our canopy. The canopy has bug screens on 4 sides but the bugs were not too bad. We used lemon grass bug spray repellent and were comfortable. This campground is away from light sources making it great for stargazing. We enjoyed the campsite so much that we just hung out and relaxed there all weekend ...no hikes or trips away from the campsite. We hung a couple of hammocks with tarps for shade but backed our teardrop under a naturally shaded area of the campsite. We will probably camp there again. If you are not into dispersed camping, there are several campgrounds nearby. Heart Bar campground is huge with amenities and South Fork Family Campground is nice with more shade and a small stream running through. The parking for rv's at South Fork is a bit short at some of the campsites. Best to check the length for a match with your gear. This area is great for camping but make sure you have everything you need as there is no grocery store at the corner. Happy camping..!

  • E
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Dispersed Camp near Sequoia National Park

    Quiet & Nice Camping Site

    This camping site is a nice free area super close to the Giants Trail entrance (5 minute drive). As you head in you go thru a little dirt road and at the end you see an opening for this site. There is one site located right at the start of the access road but with no views. The main area is cleared to pitch your camping tent. There are no trash cans around or toilets (closest is entrance of Giants trail) but trash may be near at the other camp sites. I did have to put my trash in the tree with a rope about 20-50ft away just for safety. Make sure you don’t keep anything smelly in your tent or around your truck because there is a local bear that comes by in the middle of the night when everyone’s sleeping. The Bear didn’t tamper with my ground tent but I ended up sleeping in my camper due to it being too cold. Although, I did hear the next campers yell out bear for safety. But nothing to worry about if you pack in and pack out and are respectful. The stream and meadow is beautiful. I would recommend this to anyone looking to have a secluded quite area that some ppl may not come to due to the friendly bear wink.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Jawbone Canyon OHV Area — Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area

    Jawbone Canyon OHV

    This is BLM land camping in an OHV area that we used for an overnight. For this purpose it was great. A paved road leads to endless dispersed camping options in a beautifully rugged canyon. There were a few OHVs but we arrived late on a weekday and OHV traffic stopped altogether in the evening. Wind was a problem and made sleeping hard. We camped in a 24’ travel trailer with a high clearance truck. While not necessary, the larger truck was nice to have on the dirt portions. There are sites that would be accessible by car as well just be more discerning. Verizon was at 1 bar the whole time.

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Dome Rock Dispersed Camping

    Convenient access for rock climbing

    This camping area is at the end of dirt road Route 21S69, there is a sign for Dome Rock. It's very close to Ponderosa, a small town(?) with a general store and lodges, so that makes it super convenient if you need to buy some standard supplies.

    At the end of the dirt road there is a parking area. You can camping anywhere in this area, no fee. Just make sure to apply for a fire permit ahead of time. There are NO facilities at this campground - no bathrooms or trash even. That said, it is a beautiful area, especially if you want to rock climb or hike with great views, including The Needles. Rock climbing info for the area can be found here.

    Keep in mind that this location is at ~7,000ft elevation, so the temperatures will be cooler here, and you should plan accordingly.

  • l
    Sep. 6, 2022

    Chico Flat Dispersed Camping - Partially Closed, See Description

    Not Great

    Chico Flat Dispersed Campsite offers many areas with flat ground to tent upon, as well as a large parking lot to car camp if that’s your thing. However there aren’t loads of trees to hammock camp on. You cannot build a campfire here. There is a pit toilet. There is river access right next to the campsite. There is also spotty cell reception if you want that.

    Let it be known, this campsite is not clean. The previous campers that came long before me left two things: trash, and a message. There was a menagerie of bottle caps and broken glass strewn practically everywhere for me to pick up. This can be said for dare I say everywhere in this whole campsite. Additionally, this trash acted as a proverbial “go ahead” for other people to litter and make the litter situation worse; not cool.

    If you want to really get away from people, don’t come here. When I went people brought the whole kit-and-kaboodle: a suburb of tents, gas generators, bright lights, loud music, etcetera.

    Perhaps this isn’t how this site always is, but man it got crowded, noisy, and annoying. I’ll spare you from the whole story.

    If you’re looking for a quick spot to crash, look no further. If you’re intent on bringing generators, lights, dogs and speakers, this is unfortunately for you. If you’re looking to get away and spend time in nature like myself, this isn’t for you.

  • Hayley K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 20, 2020

    Johnsondale Dispersed Camping

    Next to a small creek and secluded.

    We stopped here after we found that all the sites along the Kern were full. It is just North of Johnsondale and just South of the National Forest. Easy driving access to Trail of a Thousand Giants, Moro Rock, and views of the Needles. 

    We camped out under the stars just after sundown and got up right after Sunrise. No one else camp out near our spot. The road is littered with turn offs for easy and free dispersed camping.

    Closest bathrooms are either on the Trail of a Hundred Giants (there is a campground there too but it is closed in Winter) or down in Johnsondale.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2024

    West Keyville Dispersed

    Beautiful scenery, challenging access

    I drove past a couple of camp grounds directly at the lake and was very disappointed what I found. Yes, you can camp right at the lake but only if you appreciate the charme of a Walmart parking lot. There is basically next to no trees or any nature for that matter.

    So I looked a little further and was very happy to have found this site. Beautifully located right at a river, surrounded by trees, big boulders and the stunning mountain scenerey.

    However, be aware that this is not serviced at all. There is no electricity, water, dump stations or anything else than the actual spot. And BEWARE: there is quite a steep and narrow entry road into the site. I drove in with a 30 feet class A camper and I am little worried if I will get out tomorrow. Also I smacked some leaves off of a tree on my way in with my 13“ clearance.


Guide to Onyx

Dispersed camping near Onyx, California offers primitive outdoor experiences across Bureau of Land Management and Sequoia National Forest lands. Elevations range from 2,500 to 4,000 feet with transitional terrain between desert and pine forest ecosystems. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F while winter nights can drop below freezing, requiring campers to prepare for significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At Chico Flat Dispersed Camping, visitors can fish in the Kern River. "There is river access right next to the campsite. I tried a little fishing but didn't catch anything. Saw some others catch a couple throw backs," reports Adam C.

Wildlife observation: Wildlife viewing is popular at rustic camping areas near Onyx. "Watch eagles prey on ducks, pelicans gather, hear the frogs croak. Gnats get a little crazy before the bats show up," notes Amber G. about her experience at Stine Cove.

Night sky viewing: The lack of light pollution makes stargazing exceptional in this region. "The night sky has no light pollution, and is beautiful enough to knock you off your feet because of all the stars," writes Jeffrey T. about Stine Cove Recreation Site. Clear nights reveal the Milky Way when the moon isn't bright.

Rock exploration: The volcanic formations in the area create unique terrain for exploration. "The fossil falls rocks are basalt mostly but have been pummeled by water and have smoothed and eroded. There's also said to be obsidian flakes in the area," explains Elaine V.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Hanning Flat Dispersed Area provides ample space between camping spots. "Literal MILES of dispersed sites so plenty of room to spread out. There's a bit high spot of rocks in the middle at the beginning of the road which was great to climb for sunset views!" shares Aliza N.

Natural surroundings: Campers appreciate the undeveloped character of Ant Canyon. "Stayed here 2 nights. Just far enough outside of town. We stayed when it wasn't so packed. Tied up some tubes in the river and played in the water. Lots of hiking and beautiful scenery," reports Kimberly.

Waterside camping: Proximity to water features draws many campers. "We camped right next to the river. It was such a peaceful place and the sounds of the river right next to our camp was just heaven on earth," describes Conrad G. about Brush Creek Recreation Site.

Seasonal variations: The camping experience changes significantly with seasons. "I visited in February which was most likely the reason why I had the area to myself. I appreciated the rough feel of the lake and how close the road was," writes Izzy Y. about winter camping at Stine Cove.

What you should know

Wind conditions: High winds affect many camping areas near Onyx. "Winter winds here almost blew the tent over with my pup and myself inside. Although occasional gusts may seem obvious for location and time of year I would have lost that tent had I not been inside," warns Izzy Y. from Stine Cove Recreation Site.

Terrain challenges: Sandy areas can trap vehicles without proper clearance. "Would suggest 4x4 and wouldn't recommend heavier vehicles as it's a sandy dried up lake bed and we had to dig ourselves out in the morning," cautions Zoe J. about Hanning Flat.

Variable crowding: Weekends and summer months bring significantly more visitors. "We showed up on Thursday and it was nice and mellow. But then the weekend crowd showed up Friday. It got very crowded and finding a spot can get desperate. Show up early and if u can do a weekday trip, do it," advises Adam C.

Water level fluctuations: Lake and river levels change seasonally and with drought conditions. "The lake is MUCH lower than anything you see on satellite view, from Stine Cove I still had to walk 30min before getting to the shore," notes therealquaid D.

Tips for camping with families

Animal sightings: Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed offers opportunities for wildlife education. "Watched them swim around and nibble on branches is memorizing, amazing creatures. At night time you get another variety of animals. We made friends with a couple of skunks," describes Charlie C. about the beaver population.

Swimming spots: Safe water access points exist but require planning. "We headed here to both see the area and camp for a few days. The first thing we noticed was how low the water level was...because of that, any fishing would have been casting into or over trees that are now exposed," shares Pinkie K.

Town proximity: Kernville provides supplies and emergency access. "Kernville isn't far away so you can go to town easily to get supplies and food," mentions Hayley K., highlighting the convenience for families needing to restock.

Heat preparation: Summer temperatures require extra precautions for children. "It can get really warm so we set up under a shaded tree which helped a lot. We had a fire pit for the evenings too, so that was nice," advises Natalie T.

Tips from RVers

Road conditions: West Keyville Dispersed has challenging access roads. "There is quite a steep and narrow entry road into the site. I drove in with a 30 feet class A camper and I am little worried if I will get out tomorrow. Also I smacked some leaves off of a tree on my way in with my 13" clearance," warns Marcus K.

Cellular connectivity: Coverage varies significantly by provider and location. "We had a few bars of service on verizon and at&t. Overall nice secluded spot off the road with great scenery would recommend," reports Michael D. about Hanning Flat.

Water supply: No hookups means bringing all water needed. "There's a $12 dump station with potable water at Camp 9 and one at Old Isabella Recreation Site," advises therealquaid D., providing critical information for extended stays.

Site selection: Many RV-suitable sites require exploration before commitment. "My Class C was able to make it through a few of the dirt roads no problem. Best part is the nature, trails, river, fire rings almost everywhere you need, dumpster and vault toilet near the main road," shares therealquaid D.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Onyx, CA is Stine Cove Recreation Site with a 3.7-star rating from 15 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 42 dispersed camping locations near Onyx, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.