Best Dispersed Camping near Potrero, CA

Dispersed camping opportunities surround Potrero, California, mainly concentrated in the Cleveland National Forest to the north and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to the east. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) also maintains some areas, including Otay Mountain Camp. Pine Creek Road Camp provides primitive camping within the Cleveland National Forest, while Blair Valley, Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves, and Mountain Palm Springs Camp offer options within Anza-Borrego. Kitchen Creek Road and Smuggler's Gulch present additional dispersed camping zones in the region. Most sites lack facilities and require campers to be self-sufficient.

Access to many dispersed areas varies considerably, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles. Pine Creek Road features paved sections transitioning to dirt roads with occasional rough spots. Blair Valley provides relatively accessible terrain for most vehicles, though occasional wind can make tent camping challenging. Some areas like Otay Mountain are difficult to locate, with specific access routes recommended. Most dispersed sites require advance permits, particularly in Cleveland National Forest, where campers must email for free authorization. Fire restrictions apply throughout the region, with complete bans in many locations, especially during dry seasons.

These primitive camping areas deliver diverse desert and mountain experiences with varying levels of seclusion. "Primitive camping. First come..., requires payment in envelope," noted one visitor about Mountain Palm Springs Camp. Pine Creek Road campsites provide exceptional privacy, with one camper reporting, "We only spent one night but we never saw another person during our stay." Blair Valley in Anza-Borrego receives particular praise for stargazing opportunities due to its dark sky designation. A visitor described, "On a moonless night the STARS were just ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!" However, some areas present challenges - Smuggler's Gulch has reports of shooting activity and debris, with one reviewer cautioning, "People come out here to shoot so be warned! There's also a lot of broken glass/rusty cans!"

Best Dispersed Sites Near Potrero, California (19)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Potrero, CA

59 Reviews of 19 Potrero Campgrounds


  • cal K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 20, 2023

    Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Loved this spot

    Free. 30 day limit. Pit toilet. Pack it out - no trash service. No water. If you go left as you come in you can camp along a rock wall filled with agave, cholla and other plants. A large area for big rvs right at the front left. To the right there were lots of pull offs and I found it easier to navigate in my station wagon road-wise. Lots of space. Some areas say not to walk there/ keep dogs out to protect plants and wildlife. I felt safe solo camping - there were a few other van and rv campers. Recommend visiting the sweet desert botanical garden in nearby Borrego Springs.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 14, 2024

    Yaqui Wash

    If you just want to get outdoors...

    There are a bunch of campsites along a service road that is parallel to a main road, several hundred feet away. This whole area is essentially within one valley, so you have mountains on both sides. It is well vegetated and allows for fairly easy hikes up the soft slopes.

    The parking spots are right alongside the road, so for van camping is not so great, but tents can be put away from the road and therefore it's much more suitable for tenting.

    The stretch of dirt road closest to the main road is Sandy, but manageable bull in a two wheel drive. This is where most of the campsites are. Further along the road, there are fewer camp sites, so they are more dispersed, however the road becomes more rocky and jutted, but for those wanting a bit more privacy, this is the spot to be.

    I would like to come back in camp in this location. So i'm going to mark it to return another time.

  • Javier L.
    Oct. 31, 2020

    Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Desert Wonderland

    Anza borrego state park has a lot of room to explore. The park has campgrounds near borrego springs that are easily accessible. Visiting the mud caves you’ll need 4x4 or an AWD car with high clearance. Anza borrego has been my wife & I go to camping area for over 5 years. Camping is allowed away from main trails and we typically sleep near the mud caves or within the slot canyons. Perfect place to star gave and wander around & explore. Bring plenty of water/ off road safety (enough fuel/ shovel/ traction boards) as towing out of this area is extremely expensive. (Pictures are from fonts point/ random hikes near camping spots).

  • G
    Apr. 4, 2021

    Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Go Deeper for more stars

    We stopped and setup tents a little before little Blair valley. Night sky was alright, but couldn’t see the Milky Way, so not dark enough for that. Probably a Bortle 5. Got up in the morning and went all the way until the end of the road on maps (Apple or Google) on our 2WD, was doable. 4 bars T Mobile LTE where we were.

    Campsite itself was very nice. The place we found had a man made but multiple time used fire pit. Great sunset and sunrise, you have the chance to have as much or as little company around you. Little bit of trash at our site that we picked up.

    Leave no trace!

  • Sheridan S.
    Jun. 6, 2025

    Pine Creek Road Camp

    Beautiful location... if you can find a spot

    Great area--it's just close enough to some expensive campgrounds and a few connecting trails, so it's awesome to camp here for FREE. Pine Creek Road itself is paved, and the camping spots are packed dirt so it's easy to get around even in a FWD. Warning though: if you're nervous about driving on single lane mountain roads, this is not the place for you! Pine Creek Road is several miles long, with some sections that are on sheer cliff edges with very few turn-off spots to allow for passing.

    Additional word of warning: the camping spots are not close together and there seemed to be very few of them. Even driving slowly, I counted only 6 or 7 sites total, separated by up to a mile. I saw only 1 other spot with campers, at least 2.5 miles from my site. Some of the sites are fairly large--could easily fit 2 cars and a couple tents--but others seemed to be just large enough to pull off the road and sleep in the car (no tent space). Some spots were tucked back from the road with lots of trees (I barely saw or heard any cars, even though I was probably only ~15ft from the road); but some were barely more than a shoulder with no trees for coverage. I stayed in the same spot two nights in a row, though I packed up during the day because I assumed I'd find another spot down the road. At least in the site I picked, there was very little trash from previous campers.

    Suggestion for the permit: make sure you apply for the free permit a few days in advance especially if you plan to go on the weekend. List the place you're going as "Pine Creek dispersed camping," and keep a printed copy in your car. I didn't have trouble with any rangers, but it's better to be safe than fined. Very spotty service (Verizon), which makes navigation and planning difficult if you don't pre-download trail maps.

  • Kathy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 15, 2025

    Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Didn't Want to Leave

    Spent 4 nights here in February. A good amount of other campers, but not too crowded. I found the perfect spot tucked up against the rocks. I had my own private rock garden with so many variety of cacti and lots of birds. So peaceful.  I would definitely come back here again. 

    No cell signal, but plenty of solar. Primitive camping--no amenities.

  • Justin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2023

    Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Beautiful Views and 5G Internet

    Came here to have a place for my popup camper while we checked out the flowers blooming 40 minutes away in Borrego Springs and it was perfect. There's no amenities except for a pit toilet, but the cell service here was better than anywhere in the area. I had better signal at this campsite than I did in Park Circle at the heart of Borrego Springs. Lots of people set up near the entrance, but if you drive a little back you can get some privacy. Also be slow and cautious when driving on these dirt roads after a rainstorm; we saw two different trucks get stuck in the mud. Luckily some people with a winch were able to get them both out. Also we were here in March so the nights were cold and windy so make sure you're prepared.

  • Jennifer D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2018

    Blair Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    It’s free!!

    my home base for Anza Borrego fun. Little Blair valley has beautiful rocky hills that provide a great backdrop to your desert camping. Lots of climbing to be had, as well as several trails. Including pictographs! Simply choose your spot and set up camp!

    Ive witnessed some of the most gorgeous sunrises and sunsets here. desert camping, so no trees, but plenty of ocotillo and creosote. I tend to getaway here in fall and winter months it’s just too hot otherwise

    Restrooms when you pull in off the highway. Dirt road. But very passable in a car.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 22, 2025

    Galleta Meadows, Borrego Springs

    Galleta Meadows - Rusty Creatures and Dark Skys

    On the outer southern edge of Borrego Springs is this private yet free camp area.

    A few dozen sites exist, each some five hundred feet or more apart. All have views of the surrounding mountains, and the wide open skies.

    Borrego Springs is a dark sky community, which means lights are kept to a minimum, thus enabling great star viewing.

    The area is renowned for its hiking and other outdoor activities. It is also known for its iron sculptures, which many exist within this camp area.


Guide to Potrero

Dispersed camping near Potrero, California spans across multiple terrains with elevations ranging from desert valley floors at 1,500 feet to pine-covered mountain sites at 4,500 feet. Most sites require visitors to be self-sufficient with no water sources, limited or no cell service, and varying road conditions. Weather fluctuates dramatically between seasons, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F in desert areas while mountain sites can drop below freezing in winter.

What to do

Explore caves and slot canyons: At Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves, visitors can explore numerous caves that maintain around 60°F regardless of outside temperatures. "The caves are cool, dark, and spooky! No matter how hot it is in the desert the caves are always about 60F," shares one camper. Bring headlamps and be cautious of potential wall collapses during rainy weather.

Hike petroglyph trails: Near Blair Valley Primitive Campground, ancient Kumeyaay rock art is accessible via short hiking trails. "In the surrounding rock formations you may find morteros and metates used to process piñon, chia, and acorns that served in making dietary staples like shawii, known elsewhere as wiiwish," notes a visitor who explored the cultural sites.

Stargazing after dark: The dark skies in dispersed areas offer exceptional viewing of celestial objects. One camper at Blair Valley reported, "Being a dark sky community, we were able to see so many stars and constellations. We saw shooting stars nearly every minute and we were also able to find Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all with the naked eye!"

What campers like

Free camping opportunities: Many sites near Potrero don't charge fees, making them attractive for budget-conscious campers. At Smuggler's Gulch Dispersed, campers appreciate the accessibility: "Easy on and off to the highway" with "tons of flat areas to choose from," though they warn about broken glass and shooting activity.

Privacy and isolation: Campers consistently praise the seclusion available at dispersed sites. At Pine Creek Road Camp, one visitor noted, "A great spot if you want to get away and enjoy some alone time... We only spent one night but we never saw another person during our stay." The paved road transitions to dirt with spots spread far apart.

Desert landscapes: The unique geology and vegetation create distinctive camping experiences. "We found the perfect spot tucked up against the rocks. I had my own private rock garden with so many variety of cacti and lots of birds. So peaceful," reported one Blair Valley camper who stayed four nights in February.

What you should know

Permit requirements: Many free camping sites near Potrero require permits despite no fee. For Pine Creek Road Camp, one camper advises: "Friday sent an email to SM.FS.DescansoRD@usda.gov requesting the free permit, filled out the form, and got it back in the same day." Keep printed copies in your vehicle as cell service is unreliable for digital access.

Vehicle considerations: Roads vary significantly in condition. For Otay Mountain Camp, navigation can be tricky: "The route via maps from the north east is gated and locked. If you want to use maps then put in the coordinates that I have pinned but also add a stop, the South Bay Gun Club and that way it will take you to the South Bay Gun Club first and then the pin drop from the south."

Fire restrictions: Most dispersed sites have strict fire rules. At Blair Valley, one camper noted: "Fire rings are provided at some locations however the ranger informed us we could build a rock ring and line it with tin foil which worked great." Check current restrictions before arrival as complete bans are common during dry seasons.

Tips for camping with families

Choose less remote sites: For camping with children, consider more accessible areas. At Granite Springs, a camper reports, "Primitive camp site with chemical bathrooms. Has 3 areas to set up tents. First come first serve, but you must check in at the ranger station before you go. $5 per camper. We comfortably fit 3 tents on one site."

Beware of hazards: Desert camping presents specific challenges for kids. When visiting Blair Valley with children, "Watch out for cactus and needles that are buried in the sand. It is not recommended to bring dogs or walk barefoot for this reason. Our sandals and boots both had many needles stuck in the rubber soles after the trip."

Timing considerations: Schedule activities appropriately. At Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves, a visitor suggests, "Be careful in the summer as it is very hot during the day" and recommends cave exploration in morning hours when temperatures are lower.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most dispersed sites can't accommodate large RVs. At Pine Creek Road Camp, an RVer notes: "Great spot for camping, if you have a big rig it's a little tight to move around on the roads but definitely nice for sprinters / trucks / suvs or even cars!"

Soft sand awareness: Many desert sites have sections that can trap vehicles. At Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves, a camper warns: "There were some soft sand spots, didn't require a lot of clearance and I didn't put my Jeep Compass into AWD at all. Probably wouldn't bring a sedan, but there were SUVs pulling pop-ups."

Setup timing: Wind conditions affect RV and tent setup. At Blair Valley, a visitor recommends: "We are novice campers - didn't have sand tent pegs so with a little wind on the day we arrived it took some time to find the right site for us which really was only after the wind died down after 4pm. Lesson learned, take sand capable tent pegs and set up site later in the day."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Potrero, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Potrero, CA is Otay Mountain Camp with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Potrero, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 dispersed camping locations near Potrero, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.