Best Dispersed Camping near Orland, CA
Dispersed camping areas surround Orland, California, primarily on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands with the Olive Pit Dispersed Lot and Perry Riffle Trailhead serving as popular free camping spots. The Olive Pit Dispersed Lot provides overnight parking for self-contained vehicles in Corning, about 20 minutes south of Orland, while Perry Riffle Trailhead offers more traditional dispersed camping near the Sacramento River. Additional remote sites can be found at Fischer Dispersed Campground and Humbug Summit Dispersed area, though these require longer drives from Orland. Most of these areas follow standard BLM regulations with the typical 14-day camping limit enforced throughout the region.
Access roads to dispersed sites vary significantly, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly for reaching Humbug Summit and Fischer areas. The Perry Riffle Trailhead can be reached via paved roads, making it accessible for most vehicles. Seasonal conditions affect accessibility, with some forest roads becoming impassable during winter or heavy rain periods. Most sites lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or designated fire rings. The Olive Pit lot prohibits fires completely, while Perry Riffle allows them. A visitor to Perry Riffle noted that "it's just a gravel parking lot, but it's quiet, peaceful, and about a 2 min walk from the river." Another camper mentioned that "the manager comes by daily" at Perry Riffle, indicating regular patrol of the area.
These backcountry areas offer varying degrees of seclusion and natural features. The Sacramento River provides opportunities for cooling off during hot summer months near Perry Riffle, while the mountainous Humbug Summit area offers more remote forest camping. Wildlife sightings are common, with one camper reporting seeing "great horned owl, fox, then cows in the morning" at Perry Riffle. The Olive Pit Dispersed Lot, though essentially a parking lot behind a store, provides convenience with nearby amenities. "Very safe and heavily trafficked location. Lots of travelers here spending the evening," noted one camper. Most dispersed sites in the region have no cell service, limited or no toilet facilities, and require campers to pack out all waste and bring their own water supply.
