Looking for the best Pinnacles National Park dispersed camping? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Find dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots from other campers.
Sign in front with gate closed says “closed to motorized vehicles April-October”
Look closely at the ground you will find evidence of the vast inland sea that once covered the Tumey Hills. The light porous rocks are composed of diatoms, the tiny, bleached, shell-like skeletons of sea algae. Annual grasslands are lovely in springtime, with beautiful wildflower displays. Rarely seen federally-protected San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and giant kangaroo rats make their homes in these hills. Visitors enjoy a day use facility with parking, shade structures, picnic benches, vault toilets and an interpretive kiosk with a map and information about the area.
Scout
The nature minder people closed this down and Panoche hills down due to environmental concerns regarding the decrease in population of a lizard.
Legend
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!
Guide
Mid July - road was closed
ScoutClean camp. Restroom was clean. View was beautiful. There was a 6 mile dirt road to the camp. Easy signage. Saw wild boar and dear along the way. Drove a Hyundai Accent.
ScoutThe drive up has around five miles of very well maintained dirt road, but very much worth it. Some dispersed camping areas and a campground with 5 spots with a shelter and a picnic table at each one. Bathroom was very clean.
Views are magnificent.
ScoutIt is a long 5 miles up a long dirt road which is actually pretty nice compared to others we have traveled. There are some steep hairpinish turns that we had to disconnect our toad but wow when you get there it is perfect. So peaceful and very clean. We are in a 36’ class a with jeep toad
TravelerThe road to come to the BLM was not bad, we came with a van and had no problems. The campground is nice and clean, vault toilet with TP &clean. Camp spots with table & shade & the view on the hills is incredible
Scout
Private property, you can't even go through the road
TravelerThis was such a beautiful spot. It had the greenest hills. It was very peaceful at night. There were people shooting in the morning. But overall the spot was really nice for one night.
ScoutAnother beautiful spot ruined by people who can’t pickup after themselves
ScoutVery nice and quiet and clean campground. Arrived late Friday afternoon and left Sunday evening. Camp had a fire ring, shaded concrete patio and a picnic table. The single vault toilet was clean and sufficiently stocked with TP. No other amenities other than what the forest provides. Lots of area to explore, but this is mainly an off road vehicle area.
GuideI couldn’t really identify this place as a campground. It is a shooting range. If you’re in to target practice you’d give it a five. It’s fairly desolate, a port-a-potty, (bring your own TP) and sparse camping spots. One picnic table sat in a day use area, and that gravel parking area is where we set up. It was perfectly flat and level. We didn’t even unhook the trailer. Pack it in and out as there are no services at all other than the potty. The three mile road in from I-5 is paved half way and well-graded dirt the rest. After the shooting stopped, about 8:30 PM, it was amazingly quiet. For us, needing only a stop-over, it was perfect.
ScoutThe view is amazing!! I would recommend driving up the mountain through Lockwood, the drive is much easier and less scary. We arrived around 5:30pm (end of march) and there was only 1 spot left
ScoutBeautiful place, wish I couldn’t hear the gunshots but at least they’re far away. I’m from Los Angeles so I don’t mind the shots but would prefer to hear the birds more.
GuideGun range, lots of people shooting. Wouldn't be my first choice. Easy overnight spot.
ScoutAmenities 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.
GuideEasy overnight BLM spot, we stayed overnight on the way to San Jose - easy to navigate, find & park.
Close by amenities gas stations, mcdonald’s & freeway about 10 mins out
Guidegetting crowed and people leaving their garbage and poop (yes, human poop and TP). I've always loved Will Creek Road, I feel you can get free access to the greatest show on planet earth here…Both the sun set and the sun rise, but you got to get above the marine layer and get to the very top. If you dont want scratches and you are 7' wide or more…bring cutters. The land owners maintain the road themselves. I was last there in Feb 2022 and the switch backs were torn up and rutted; I bumped into an owner I've got to know over the years and he said they are tired of fixing them because people with small underpowered cars burnout digging ruts or some bozo purposely burns out not knowing that the land owners are the ones who have to maintain it all so we get to enjoy the camping. The road is very steep, you go from maybe 200' above sea leave to over 3000' if you go to the top. I've done this road in 4x4 truck(s) (supper easy), Jeep and Jeep Gladiator (easy freakin peasy), a Subaru Outback (easy) and a 4x4 MBZ Revel Van (supper freakin hard and stressful, was on two wheels more than once and sideways bottomed out twice in the switch backs. I wont do it again and I've been off-roading my whole life, unless the switch backs are fixed). When I say easy, this is assuming you have some off-road skill. Hope that help.
Guide
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.
GuideGreat place amazing views
ScoutPractically camping on top of each other. Going up or down that road is only for 4x4 and keep an eye out for crazy drivers. One lane road in many spots. NO CAMPFIRES ALLOWED IN SUMMER. Check conditions.
ScoutWe stayed one night and were able to find spots with tree covers in case of wind. Lots of small bugs coming at us during sunlight but they went away after sundown.
GuideThis was a perfect campground for Big Sur, just past the Plaskett Creek campground which is expensive and requires reservations. I drove up the road for about 20 minutes and found a perfect pullout overlooking the ocean between two apple trees, blissful to say the least. I showed up around 5 pm and there were still a lot of sites open.
GuideAs soon as you turn onto this road there is a sign saying no camping next to road, plus I drove about 30 minutes back onto it and could only find one semi-feasible pullout. I went north just five minutes to Plaskett Ridge dispersed camping, that was much better.
TravelerI love the spot but the constant barrage of target shooting makes it hard to really enjoy! Road is rough getting here but doable. Clean vaulted toilet, great camping spaces with covered tables and a beautiful view. But the shooters really ruin the serenity of this place.
TravelerAmazing 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. A great location for pro-overlanders and for testing 4x4 off-road driving skills.
GuideWe came here on a Sunday evening with the intent of getting out of the 35 knot coastal winds and decided upon making camp at a pullout under a tree about a mile from Highway 1. However, my Prius C made it two miles in before we chose to turn around. The road is pretty well maintained if bumpy at times but we just took it slow on the way up and down.
Highly recommend downloading offline maps before you lose signal around San Simeon (south hwy 1) and carmel (north hwy 1). My boyfriend has AT&T and I had T-Mobile and neither of us had signal.
It was dispersed camping and pullouts as far as we got up the road. We set up our tent next to the mighty Prius C and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset, stars, and some beautiful morning views. It was pretty windy at night but it calmed in the morning. We did not see a single soul on our way in but come Monday morning, three cars had drove past our site (I assume they made it much farther in).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Pinnacles National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Pinnacles National Park is Williams Hill Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Pinnacles National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Pinnacles National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
