Best Dispersed Camping near Placerville, CA
Several primitive camping areas surround Placerville where you'll need to bring everything in and take everything out. Placerville City Park Campground has some undeveloped areas beyond the main campground that work for dispersed camping. The state park lands near Placerville also include remote spots with zero facilities—just you and nature. Most dispersed sites require following Leave No Trace practices and staying at least 100 feet from water sources and 200 feet from roads. You can stay up to 14 days in most areas before needing to move on. Many roads leading to good dispersed spots are rough and rutted, so vehicles with higher clearance do much better, especially after rain. When camping, you'll need all your own water, food, and waste disposal plan since there are no services. Fire bans are common in summer and fall—always check with the El Dorado National Forest office before planning to have a campfire. The back roads around the Placerville Recreation Area have spots where you can camp self-contained. Weather makes a big difference here—winter snow blocks many access roads, while spring and fall bring better conditions. Summer gets hot in the lower elevations, so bring plenty of water if camping then.