Best Dispersed Camping near Pinnacles National Park
Dispersed camping options near Pinnacles National Park include several Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites offering primitive camping experiences. Williams Hill Recreation Area features seven designated sites with covered picnic tables, fire rings, and a vault toilet. The campground sits along a ridgeline with expansive views of the Coastal Range and Salinas Valley. Additional overflow areas accommodate campers when the main sites are full. A 14-day stay limit applies to all visitors.
Access to Williams Hill requires navigating approximately 5-7 miles of dirt road with washboard sections and occasional steep grades. Standard passenger vehicles can make the journey when driven cautiously. According to reviews, "The road was safe and relatively wide, but it drops off and you wouldn't stop until you got to the bottom." Sites 5 and 7 accommodate larger rigs, with site 5 being a pull-through capable of handling 40+ foot vehicles.
These dispersed camping areas provide no potable water, electricity, or trash service. Campers must pack out all waste and bring sufficient water supplies. Fire restrictions are common during dry months, with complete bans typically enforced throughout summer. The vault toilet at Williams Hill occasionally runs out of supplies on busy weekends, so carrying personal toilet paper is recommended. Cell service is generally good at Williams Hill but unreliable at other dispersed sites in the region.
Weather conditions vary seasonally, with summer daytime temperatures reaching the 90s, cooling significantly in evenings. Winter brings milder days in the 60s with nights dropping to the 40s. Several campers noted insect activity during warmer months, particularly bees that can be persistent around campsites. The area serves dual purposes as an OHV recreation zone, so weekend traffic and occasional target shooting noise should be expected.
