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Best Dispersed Camping near Paso Robles, CA

99 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Paso Robles, California centers primarily around TV Tower Road and surrounding Los Padres National Forest areas. Primitive sites are scattered along ridgelines with several pull-off spots for vehicles, particularly along TV Tower Road in Santa Margarita and at Williams Hill Recreation Area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The region includes both free backcountry options and minimally developed dispersed sites with most requiring no permits or reservations for overnight stays.

Access roads to dispersed sites frequently demand careful navigation, particularly TV Tower Road, which features steep, winding dirt sections requiring slow travel. Many reviews note the need for moderate clearance vehicles, though not necessarily 4WD in dry conditions. Campfires are generally prohibited in most locations, especially during fire season, and campers must bring all necessary supplies as no drinking water, toilets, or other amenities are available. Wind exposure presents a significant challenge in ridge-top locations. "The wind was INSANE!!! No protection and the wind only got crazier as the night went on," reported one camper at TV Tower Road.

These primitive camping areas provide exceptional panoramic vistas as compensation for their challenging conditions. TV Tower Road offers expansive views of Morro Bay, Los Osos, San Luis Obispo, and distant ocean horizons. Stargazing opportunities are substantial due to minimal light pollution on clear nights. Several pullouts accommodate multiple vehicles while maintaining privacy between sites. Many campers arrive before sunset not only for safety on unfamiliar roads but also for spectacular evening views. "We arrived around 4pm on a Saturday and all spots were open except for one," noted a visitor, highlighting the site's relative accessibility despite its remote feel. Weather conditions vary dramatically by season, with summer bringing intense sun exposure on exposed ridges and occasional seasonal closures occurring during high fire danger periods.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Paso Robles, California (9)

    1. TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    35 Reviews
    Santa Margarita, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 865-0416

    "The road was a bit sketchy, any 4WD would be fine I think. I took my mini van and camped at a turn out along the road because I was a bit hesitant, but again, others would probably be fine."

    "We came up to TV tower road and found a great spot to pull the car into, with a little trail that pulls off to a spot to pitch the tent."

    2. Other Pullout on TV Tower Road - Dispersed Site

    6 Reviews
    Santa Margarita, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 925-9538

    "Best with a decent clearance 4wd - definitely not an RV spot. Windy at night for sure, and can be a bit busy with people going past on the road."

    "Got there around 2pm and was the only car in sight until 4 ish when a car pulled up and parked for the night 5 feet away from me 🙄 RUDE!!"

    3. Williams Hill Recreation Area

    31 Reviews
    Jolon, CA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 582-2200

    "Amenities include one vault toilet, sometimes runs out of toilet paper on a busy weekend, picnic tables with shelter and fire pits. No water, no trash, fire bans most the dry months."

    "Sites have covered shelter with metal picnic tables with overhangs for stove and a fire ring. Sites 5 and 7 suitable for larger rigs. Site 5 is pull thru will accommodate 40ft+ rig and pull vehicle."

    4. Los Padres National Forest dispersed camping

    1 Review
    Santa Margarita, CA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 865-0416

    "Turning on Redhill Road from hwy 58 follow the dirt road about 2 miles to the intersection of Redhill and Fernandez."

    5. Will Creek Road Dispersed

    13 Reviews
    Lucia, CA
    46 miles

    "Dispersed camping all along the trail, despite a sign saying no car camping. It was a 45 min (6 mile) trip up a dirt road but boy was it worth it."

    "I’m surprised I haven’t known about this little gem that is only 2 hours away from me. Above the fog line and beautiful views!!"

    6. Plasket Ridge Dispersed Campground

    7 Reviews
    Lucia, CA
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 242-0619

    "It's a very dry summer & residents are on edge - just a reminder:

    "Hey campers!"

    "Amazing location to wake up in the morning. View of the pacific ocean on one side and valley on the other. 4x4 vehicle needed. Fairly safe, clean, and not crowded."

    7. Boondocking - Coalinga

    5 Reviews
    Coalinga, CA
    50 miles

    "You can hear a highway close but honestly, not bad. I feel pretty relaxed and safe here."

    "Got tired and needed a place to sleep for the night; this area is popular with semi drivers and safe and quiet, with 24-hour bathrooms nearby."

    8. Old Sierra Madre

    4 Reviews
    Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA
    50 miles

    "Picked the first nook from the GPS pin but hiked up road and there are quite a few others, some shaded, some exposed. Bit of highway noise."

    "Easy spots to turn around and park. Beautiful views, slight road noise if you’re not in the van but quiet inside. Wouldn’t recommend anything bigger than a extended sprinter or transit"

    9. West Will Creek Road

    Be the first to review!
    Lucia, CA
    47 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Paso Robles, CA

59 Photos of 9 Paso Robles Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Paso Robles, CA

99 Reviews of 9 Paso Robles Campgrounds

  • Wandering C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 24, 2023

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Free BLM

    Amenities include one vault toilet, sometimes runs out of toilet paper on a busy weekend, picnic tables with shelter and fire pits. No water, no trash, fire bans most the dry months.

  • Robin L.
    Oct. 24, 2021

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Listen to the Quiet

    7 sites suitable for tents, vans, rv's, tt. Sites have covered shelter with metal picnic tables with overhangs for stove and a fire ring. Sites 5 and 7 suitable for larger rigs. Site 5 is pull thru will accommodate 40ft+ rig and pull vehicle. Site 7 is back-in site pull vehicle parks on one side of shelter, 40'+ capable. These sites are dry camping with vault toilet. Offers views of Coastal Range on west Salinas Valley on right. Eastern road from San Ardo/PCH unpaved, washboard on lower end, no steep grades. Turn onto W1 is close for larger rigs as well as turn into campground. Directly opposite of campground entrance is extra large flat dispersed site capable of any length. Road up is narrow must yield to downhill traffic. No electric hookups gens allowed but be mindful of neighbors.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 22, 2021

    Los Padres National Forest dispersed camping

    Free Dispersed Camping

    Turning on Redhill Road from hwy 58 follow the dirt road about 2 miles to the intersection of Redhill and Fernandez. This spot, and there are others, is right at the intersection so it can have some traffic with residents that live further down the road and OHV riders. It is a good spot for the night or to stay while you bike or ride ATVs. We stayed one night. It was very quiet and walking down the road was pleasant as there weren't any OHVs riding around on a Monday.

    It is a fairly flat spot and we had no trouble with our 26ft Class C. The road in is wide and dirt with some washboard but fairly smooth overall. Further down the road is Navajo Flat Campground which is $20/night with additional fees. (see review of Navajo Flat campground) This spot is in National Forest Land so we camped for free. There seem to be other areas for dispersed camping but be mindful of the private property areas.

    There is zero amenities so pack in and pack out. There is no water, garbage or fire pits. Cell service is spotty with Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. Download map before you come so you don't camp on private land.

    Campfires are allowed with permit.

    Overall a nice place to stay, quiet at night less traffic on weekdays. We would stay here again.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2024

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Free established BLM campground

    We stayed here for 3 nights in the summer, arriving on a Sunday, and it was great. I was worried about the heat, but it really wasn’t too bad, even on the hot days (low 90s) it cools down in the evening and didn’t get hot until early afternoon. Just be sure to get one of the shady spots! We set up in site #1 when we first arrived because it was private and had nice views, but it was way too much direct sun. We moved to #4 and it was much better- shady and even better views. 

    There were other people here when we stayed here but everyone was very quiet and respectful, and we didn’t hear any shooting like other reviews have mentioned— this may be due to the ban on shooting (and camp fires) at this time because of fire danger, but I was still impressed and surprised that people respected the ban. There is one pit toilet that we didn’t check out, but man you can smell it if you camp in one of the sites near to it. 

    We saw one volunteer/employee come and clean things up while we were here. We were pleasantly surprised that the trash wasn’t too bad here. No trash service so please pack out your waste. Cell service is good up at the campground, though you do lose it in parts on the drive up. We made it up in our 26ft class c no problem, though the road is narrow at times and we were glad we didn’t come across any oncoming traffic. Sites are relatively flat/ fixable with levels. Two of the sites are huge/ pull throughs so would be good for bigger rigs or big groups. If you get up here and all the sites are taken, there are several spots outside of the campground where you can disperse camp. 

    This is an OHV area but we didn’t see any while we were here. We hiked along the OHV trails and there was nothing- but I could see it getting busy on the weekends. 

    There's a 14 day stay limit. No water provided up here.

    My only complaint was the BEES! They were everywhere and aggressive, and all in our face, but didn’t sting us. One of the campers said that this was unusual though. Really nice campground, amazing that it’s free! Thanks BLM!

  • J
    Jun. 9, 2021

    Will Creek Road Dispersed

    Unbelievable Spot

    My wife and I found this spot on our Honeymoon. Dispersed camping all along the trail, despite a sign saying no car camping. It was a 45 min (6 mile) trip up a dirt road but boy was it worth it. The trail continued toward a campsite, but we found a spot that we couldn’t pass up (see pics). We were above the marine layer and the stars were something else never seen before. Highly recommend. No campfires.

  • B
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Hard to believe that it is free

    We towed our 30' travel trailer up to this dispersed campground that is located along a ridge line on the west side of the 101.  When we went, of the (7) formal sites that are up there, only 3 of them were taken and that was off and on.   We didn't need 4x4 getting up there or even a high clearance vehicle.  Our transmission did start heating up as the road was filled with washboard and it was steep and we had to go pretty slow.  However, any car will be able to make it up there.  The road was safe and relatively wide, but it drops off and you wouldn't stop until you got to the bottom.....  If the (7) spots are taken, there are at least 2 large areas before and after the camp ground that you can camp. 

    The view is fantastic, there is a really nice pit toilet, but I don't remember seeing any water hoses.

    Each of the (7) sites had a concrete pad with a covered picnic table and a BBQ pit!  Please pick up your trash if you go.  There was some beer cans and other garbage left behind by some mental midgets.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 9, 2024

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful View!

    The road was a bit sketchy, any 4WD would be fine I think. I took my mini van and camped at a turn out along the road because I was a bit hesitant, but again, others would probably be fine. There were lots of people going up the road until very late at night, then turning around and coming back down (I assume because there were no spots?) The stars are beautiful and it's very quiet and cool. Got cold at night but nothing unbearable, lovely sunrise too! I'd recommend bringing a warm sleeping bag and any essentials for dispersed camping. Honestly such a beautiful place, next time I'd like to find a space to set up my tent. Loved it!

  • Kristen The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 4, 2022

    Plasket Ridge Dispersed Campground

    Only when desperate

    Every campsite within an hour range of Big Sur was full, and it was getting dark so we opted for this road. It is the only road where dispersed camping is allowed but beware: it is narrow, steep, unmaintained, and surrounded by cliffs. If you happen upon a pull out that is not occupied, does not have a private property sign, and is somewhat flat, then it works as a spot to sleep that feels like you’re on the edge of the world.

  • Summer A.
    Jul. 17, 2022

    TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping

    Seclusion

    We came up to TV tower road and found a great spot to pull the car into, with a little trail that pulls off to a spot to pitch the tent. This is definitely a great spot for car camping, parking, or camping. It was absolutely beautiful, and we only passed a few cars on the way up. Our 4WD car was able to handle the dirt road. The drive was manageable, but high up!

Guide to Paso Robles

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Paso Robles, California, where nature meets tranquility. With a variety of options available, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors.

Dispersed campers should check out TV Tower Road

  • The TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping area offers numerous exposed camping options along the road, making it easy to find a spot that suits your needs.
  • Be prepared for some windy nights, as the area is known for its breezy conditions, but the stunning views of San Luis Obispo make it worthwhile.
  • Accessing this site may require a vehicle with good clearance, especially if you venture further up the road, so consider a four-wheel drive for a smoother experience.

Scenic views while free camping near Paso Robles

  • The Other Pullout on TV Tower Road - Dispersed Site provides breathtaking views from the ridge, perfect for sunset watchers and stargazers alike.
  • This area is popular among campers, so arriving early can help you secure a prime spot with a view.
  • Expect a bit of wind at night, but the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful scenery make it a fantastic choice for a night under the stars.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Paso Robles, California

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the rules for overnight dispersed camping in Paso Robles?

Dispersed camping around Paso Robles follows standard public land regulations. At Will Creek Road Dispersed, despite some signs indicating no car camping, dispersed camping is allowed along the trail. Be aware that national forest lands may close seasonally or during high fire danger. At Plasket Ridge Dispersed Campground, camping is permitted in designated pull-outs. General rules include: 14-day stay limits, packing out all trash, using existing fire rings when permitted (fire bans are common during dry months), maintaining at least 100 feet from water sources, and respecting quiet hours. Always check current regulations before your trip as rules may change seasonally, particularly regarding fire restrictions.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Paso Robles?

Free dispersed camping is available at Williams Hill Recreation Area, located on a ridge west of Highway 101 near Paso Robles. This BLM area offers 7 designated sites with covered shelters, metal picnic tables, and fire rings. Sites 5 and 7 accommodate larger rigs (40+ feet), with site 5 being a pull-through. Another option is Los Padres National Forest dispersed camping, where you can find spots off Redhill Road from Highway 58. Drive about 2 miles to the intersection of Redhill and Fernandez for suitable camping areas. Remember that both locations have no water or trash services, so come prepared with supplies and follow Leave No Trace principles.

What are the best boondocking options around Paso Robles?

For boondocking near Paso Robles, Williams Hill Recreation Area stands out with its 7 designated sites plus overflow areas. It offers basic amenities including a vault toilet, covered picnic areas, and fire rings. Most sites have excellent Verizon reception, making it suitable for remote work. The area doesn't require 4x4 vehicles, and several sites can accommodate larger rigs up to 40+ feet. Another option is Boondocking - Coalinga, which is free and big-rig friendly. For a more secluded experience, the dirt roads leading into Los Padres National Forest offer numerous pullouts. Remember that during summer, temperatures can reach the 90s, so prioritize shaded spots and always bring all necessary supplies including water.

Is TV Tower Road a good spot for dispersed camping near Paso Robles?

TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping can be good for adventurous campers with appropriate vehicles. The road is narrow, steep, and unmaintained in places, making 4WD recommended though some have managed with 2WD vehicles. Several turnouts along the road offer camping spots with beautiful views. You'll find places to pull off the road with areas to pitch tents nearby. Be prepared for some traffic, as locals and other vehicles use the road, especially at night. The Other Pullout on TV Tower Road provides alternative spots if the main areas are occupied. The challenging access is rewarded with scenic vistas, but arrive during daylight hours to safely navigate the terrain.

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