Dispersed camping near Pope Valley, California ranges across several Bureau of Land Management areas situated within the foothill terrain of Napa and Lake Counties. Elevations in these camping areas typically range from 1,200-2,500 feet, creating significant temperature variations between day and night. Summer daytime temperatures often reach 95-100°F while dropping to the 50s at night, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons for most visitors.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Indian Valley Reservoir North Boat Ramp offers shore fishing access for bass and catfish. While facilities are minimal, the area provides direct water access for anglers without requiring boat launching.
Horseback riding trails: Cow Mountain Recreation Area features several equestrian-friendly trails. One visitor noted, "Love taking our Rock crawler up to cow. Lots of obstacles. Camping is awesome. Few sites and vault restrooms."
Water activities: Smittle Creek provides calm water access where Smittle Creek meets Lake Berryessa. According to Stuart S., "This sweet little spot is a paddle boarding and fishing dream. Primitive site where Smittle Creek flows into Lake Berryessa."
Wildlife observation: The spring and fall months bring diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. Deer, butterflies and birds are common sightings, particularly in the less disturbed areas away from populated campgrounds.
What campers like
Natural features: Lakeview Dispersed Campground offers elevated vistas of Clear Lake. A camper reported, "The drive up was full of breathtaking views, and even though the road was quite bumpy, dusty, and steep at times, our AWD Kia made it up no problem."
Solitude: The remoteness of many Pope Valley dispersed sites means fewer crowds, even during peak seasons. One camper at Lakeview Dispersed Campground shared, "There were only one other person here when I was. They got the prime spot, early bird and all. Very nice view."
Established fire rings: Many sites at High Valley Rd Dispersed come with existing fire rings, making campfire setup easier. Chris C. commented, "Very nice spot with multiple places to pull over and camp. There's views of Clear Lake if you want to walk a bit."
Seasonal water features: Several sites feature seasonal creeks, particularly after winter and spring rains. Water levels typically diminish by mid-summer at most locations.
What you should know
Road condition reality: Access to most dispersed sites requires navigating challenging terrain. At Cowboy Camp, Jorg F. advised, "The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes. It's a hot spot for horses which of course have no stream problems."
Seasonal closures: Multiple campgrounds experience periodic closures without warning. A Cowboy Camp visitor reported in February 2024, "The camp area is closed, as of 2/9/2024. No indication of that on the BLM website."
Insect conditions: Bug populations vary by season and location. Some sites experience significant fly activity. A Cowboy Camp visitor warned, "No trees just dry open land inhabited by an unusual amount of flies. It was crazy how thick they were."
Leave no trace expectations: Trash accumulation has become problematic at several sites. At BLM Sheldon Creek, Emma T. observed, "So much trash left behind here! We tried to pick up what we could but there's quite the mess left behind from others who were there prior."
Tips for camping with families
Safety considerations: Many sites border steep terrain or water features requiring close supervision of children. Campsites near water should be approached with caution when traveling with small children.
Bathroom facilities: When camping with families, prioritize sites with vault toilets like BLM Sheldon Creek. Summer A. noted, "There are even picnic tables, fire pits, and bathrooms. I didn't get a chance to check out the bathrooms, but they looked decent."
Vehicle requirements: Family groups often travel with more gear, making vehicle selection critical. For Clear Lake View Point Dispersed, one visitor warned, "Barely made it out of there with everything working as it should on car and trailer and actually got stuck at one point and had to use logs to get myself traction."
Weather planning: Temperature swings can be significant. A Lakeview camper advised, "Very beautiful and quiet, can be extremely cold at night and morning so be prepared!"
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Small to medium RVs and truck campers generally fare better than large motorhomes or trailers. Kenny T. cautioned about BLM Sheldon Creek, "Tow behinds/trailers not recommended; rough roads and can't turn back once on the path. Otherwise 10/10 for our truck camper."
Leveling challenges: Most dispersed sites lack level pads. At Cowboy Camp, Jorg F. shared, "We always manage to level out in our 23" Winnebago View. There is lots of open space so no crowding."
Turnaround space: Many access roads lack adequate turnaround areas for larger vehicles. Scope out sites on foot before committing to drive in, especially with larger rigs.
Cell service considerations: For remote work needs, cell coverage varies significantly. At Lakeview Dispersed Campground, Alexander Mark C. confirmed, "Good cell service too! The road getting to it was definitely a bit sketchy for my Rav4 AWD, probably wouldn't be able to do it if it wasn't dry."
