Top Free Dispersed Camping near Potter Valley, CA

Searching for a dispersed campsite near Potter Valley? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Potter Valley, CA (7)


Recent Dispersed Reviews In Potter Valley

24 Reviews of 7 Potter Valley Campgrounds


  • don L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lakeview Dispersed Campground
    Oct. 23, 2024

    Lakeview Dispersed Campground

    still nice..

    we used to go hunting up there in the 8os, you should have seen the campground then. really nice, had picnic tables fire pits great place to camp. i was up there a few years ago still looks kind of the same but they took all that out of the campground years ago.. road going in still looks the same..there is an old tree in the campground, people who have neen there will know the tree i mean, looks old low hangin branches, thats where we used to camp..more trash atound now. in 1987 it was clean.. still nice place

  • Catherine L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowboy Camp
    Sep. 15, 2024

    Cowboy Camp

    Quiet

    Quiet stop, but I wouldn't call it the most beautiful stop I've ever stayed. Camping spots are to the left and the right I'd the day use. Pit toilets. No garbage.

  • Jaye S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lakeview Dispersed Campground
    Sep. 1, 2024

    Lakeview Dispersed Campground

    Decent dispersed site

    Drive up to the site all incline dirt road ~6 miles - we made it up without 4 wheel drive but some areas were a little sketchy. Overall pretty dusty too. Sites themselves were decently maintained, some trash from previous campers but nothing major. This area is a popular for target practice so if the sounds of gunshots throughout the day isn’t your vibe, then this spot might not be suitable. Overall beautiful sunrises and sunsets and starry night sky

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake View Point Dispersed
    Jul. 27, 2024

    Clear Lake View Point Dispersed

    Absolutely not! Nowhere to camp and a terrible road

    As soon as I started going up an extremely steep hill and saw a sign that said not a through street, I should have turned around but it was impossible with my 30-foot car and trailer. I am Bart Upon A frightening , rutted, unmaintained road that is only suitable for off-road vehicles for sick four wheel drives . 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. Do not try this and there is nowhere to stop and set up a ten , at all!

  • Robert H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lakeview Dispersed Campground
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Lakeview Dispersed Campground

    High Above Clear Lake

    Beautiful spot with some views of the lake. No services, but had cell service (CC). I drove in from the south access to High Valley rd. The road was challenging. It was steep with loose dirt in spots. It was an adventure. I am going to try north access into Lucerne later. (See Google for more info)

  • Stacy L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lakeview Dispersed Campground
    Jun. 10, 2024

    Lakeview Dispersed Campground

    Awesome dispersed spot

    Super easy to find coming up from the lake. A lot of spots to choose from. There were around 4 or 5 people here already but we were able to find a secluded spot that overlooks the lake. Very peaceful but some traffic sounds at night from the lake towns.

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Lakeview Dispersed Campground
    Jun. 3, 2024

    Lakeview Dispersed Campground

    Nice spot

    The gravel roads here are open again and easy to drive on! We drove here from the north. All wheel drive ist helpfull, but we saw some people with a prius up there.

    Small individual places with self-built fireplaces. It was windy in the evening, but that died down during the night and in the morning we had breakfast in the sun in a clearing.

  • iliana A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Sheldon Creek
    Apr. 14, 2024

    BLM Sheldon Creek

    Good Free Spot!

    There are 3 sites. Used the trees to help set up a tarp to keep us and our stuff from the rain. Camped in our car. A little muddy but not too bad for our 4Runner. There was a nice little creek and a fire pit. Had the area to ourselves likely due to the rain.

    You might want to be prepared to dig your own toilet though as the toilet set up was completely infested with spiders.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowboy Camp
    Feb. 10, 2024

    Cowboy Camp

    2/9/2024 —- closed

    The camp area is closed, as of 2/9/2024. No indication of that on the BLM website.

  • Jorg F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowboy Camp
    Nov. 17, 2023

    Cowboy Camp

    Cowboy Camp

    Great free campground! We've stayed here many times. It's open, grassy level and quiet. Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. 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, so the only negative is fly's sometimes. But just keep your screen door closed (& fly swatter handy). We always manage to level out in our 23" Winnebago View. There is lots of open space so no crowding. There is a rural road near by but traffic noise isn't a problem. Perhaps I should say it's awful so fewer people come and it's not discovered.

  • Patricia Y.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cowboy Camp
    Oct. 14, 2023

    Cowboy Camp

    FLIES!

    No trees just dry open land inhabited by an unusual amount of flies. It was crazy how thick they were. An almost dry creek runs alongside the open field of camping pads. To close to the road and way to exposed to feel comfortable to stay. If I needed a place to get some shut eye before heading onward, then maybe. I had a car full of flies that went to the coast with us. It was crazy.

  • Patricia Y.
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Sheldon Creek
    Oct. 14, 2023

    BLM Sheldon Creek

    Peaceful

    It's not too bad of a road up there. Had deer, butterflies, and humming birds all around us. Babbling brook, cool and comfortable in mid-October. Looking forward to a springtime visit.

  • Patricia Y.
    Camper-submitted photo from Mayacmas Campground
    Oct. 14, 2023

    Mayacmas Campground

    Very steep

    The ride up was rough. The views made it all worth it. The camp site was not an option for me. I need something semi level to navigate.

  • k
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Sheldon Creek
    Jul. 9, 2023

    BLM Sheldon Creek

    FREE BLM campground - travel trailers not advised

    Tow behinds/trailers not recommended; rough roads and can’t turn back once on the path.

    Otherwise 10/10 for our truck camper, had the place to ourselves for the 4th of July weekend, beautiful fresh water creek running through, great toilet & even a fire pit with abundance of wood around.

    There are about 4/5 sites, only 2 with actual fire pits.

    Please keep it amazing by keeping it clean.

    FREE

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Pt Arena Lighthouse BLM
    Sep. 24, 2022

    Pt Arena Lighthouse BLM

    No camping allowed

    We drove 5 hours to get to this what we thought would be a beautiful ocean view site only to find NO CAMPING signs all over the place. Do not come here and expect to camp

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Sheldon Creek
    Aug. 9, 2022

    BLM Sheldon Creek

    Pleasant BLM camping, hot in the summer.

    A decent drive off the highway, but a good one. A few nice views. Google maps will not get you there, we followed the directions on this page.

    Only 2 spots up here, maybe 3. But we had it to ourselves on a weeknight. The Bathroom (vault toilet) had toilet paper. There was some water in the creek, but it wasn’t super easy to access. 

    The site itself is nothing special, just a couple of pullouts in the woods. Probably very hot during the day since you’re up on a ridge. Can’t beat free though.

  • allison W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pt Arena Lighthouse BLM
    Aug. 6, 2022

    Pt Arena Lighthouse BLM

    Special place in California

    I love Pt Arena. The lighthouse is historic and has an incredible past; if you are anywhere near here I absolutely recommend stopping by and taking a tour (get ready for stairs). It’s only $5 a person, dogs are welcome on the premises if not inside the actual lighthouse, and there’s a great gift shop. You can also rent the lighthouse keepers quarters, which I’ve never done but seems like it would be a unique experience. I wish I had factored this into my trip, but of course you need to book them way in advance.

    In Pt Arena, you are far from major towns but you have conveniences close at hand and a choice of directions to go, whether it’s down toward Sonoma Valley and the wine country, Point Reyes, or into Anderson Valley (underrated!).

    Camping in this area gives you a special place to kick off into areas that most tourists don’t even know about, or don’t get to see through your eyes because they’re tucked away into posh $500/night B&B accommodations. I woke up early because I had to get back to San Francisco and I had Highway 1 almost all to myself. It was one of the most gorgeous, amazing parts of my entire drive.

  • Summer A.
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Sheldon Creek
    Jul. 17, 2022

    BLM Sheldon Creek

    Perfect Spot!

    Sheldon Creek is a BLM campsite up a winding dirt/gravel road. We drove a 4WD vehicle, but most cars should be able to handle the journey up. Signs will direct you in the right direction, and lead you to a campground with spots to pitch tents or park/hangout. There are even picnic tables, fire pits, and bathrooms. I didn’t get a chance to check out the bathrooms, but they looked decent. We only had one neighbor who seemed pretty friendly, which was a relief as you’re pretty far out in a remote area. Overall this is a beautiful spot where we felt safe. Would definitely recommend!

  • Aliza  N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lakeview Dispersed Campground
    Jan. 22, 2022

    Lakeview Dispersed Campground

    Sooooo windy

    Lovely views of Clear Lake from a clearing on 220 that appears to be an established site. Right at the intersections of 16 N 22 road. Nice big clear, open area. Really….views of the lake and stars are unreal here. BUT….it was so so windy. We camp in a Chevy high top van and the wind was go fierce it was shaking us all over the place in the night. Finally had to move to another spot (that isn’t really a spot) down the road around 4am bc the wind was just too much for us. Also 220 was blocked just after the 16 N 22 road cuts off (heading east) so we had to head back the way we came (on 220 in Nice). Road was dry and packed and clear other than the tree blocking the road. Old burn area so lots of downs and such.



Guide to Potter Valley

Camping near Potter Valley, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore the Redwoods: Visit Hendy Woods State Park Campground to hike among towering redwoods. One camper mentioned, "The sites are situated among towering redwoods... It was great!"
  • Wine Tasting: Check out nearby wineries. One family enjoyed their stay at Hendy Woods, saying, "The nearby towns of Philo and Boonville are super cute."
  • Beach Access: Head to Westport Union Landing State Beach for beach activities. A visitor noted, "There is a trail down to a wonderful beach for tide pooling and sunrise/sunset walks."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning views at Ocean Cove Store and Campground. One reviewer said, "Amazing campground... Views are unbeatable."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A camper at Gualala Point Regional Park mentioned, "Bathrooms were clean, park ranger was super nice."
  • Wildlife: Campers enjoy the wildlife in the area. One visitor at Van Damme State Park Campground shared, "There is plenty of wildlife to see."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Salt Point State Park, lack showers and have only basic facilities. A camper noted, "No showers, no RV dump station, no threaded connections to refill RV potable water tank."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Campgrounds can get busy, especially in summer. A visitor at Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground mentioned, "The spaces for RVs are tight, but we made it work."
  • Poison Oak: Be cautious of poison oak in some areas. A camper at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park warned, "It's full of poison oak!!! But you can get around it."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. One family at Casini Ranch Family Campground said, "Lots of activities for the kids (ice cream social, hay ride, parks, etc)."
  • Bring Insect Repellent: Bugs can be a nuisance, especially in warmer months. A camper at Kelsey Creek Campground advised, "Bring cash and insect repellent."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to ensure everyone has a good time. A visitor at Hendy Woods State Park Campground appreciated the peaceful nights, saying, "We enjoyed a few quiet nights in the trees."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Van Damme State Park Campground mentioned, "If you are in a tent you may have a challenge finding a flat enough spot."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Hookups: Many campgrounds don’t offer full hookups. A visitor at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park noted, "There are no hookups, but the sites are mostly shaded."
  • Bring Cash: Some campgrounds only accept cash for amenities. A camper at Ocean Cove Store and Campground mentioned, "The store has a good selection... $35 cash price."

Camping near Potter Valley, California, provides a great mix of nature, fun activities, and family-friendly options. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Potter Valley, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Potter Valley, CA is Mayacmas Campground with a 2-star rating from 1 review.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Potter Valley, CA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Potter Valley, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.