Looking for the best Ranchita dispersed camping? Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campgrounds for your California camping adventure.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: https://www.campendium.com/camping/boondocking-101/
Traveler
Very nice to find a campsite this private on a weekend in southern California elevation is high enough that temperatures were very enjoyable (mid 80's)
Scout
Quite easy to get to. I drive an Acura RDX and had no problems (I actually had a lot of fun driving the road).
There were way more flies than we were expecting. Prepare to get swarmed. Luckily just gnats and no mosquitoes from what we experienced.
We applied for a permit on Friday and did not get it by Saturday when we departed. Luckily, no rangers patrolled during our stay.
Some spots with good shade.
TravelerA great spot if you want to get away and enjoy some alone time. It’s a little warm in the day in august this time of year so you can’t hike around or explore too much. My girlfriend and I stopped in Julian on our way out to get a late lunch and then head to the campsite. The road is paved until you turn off Lone Creek Road and then it is a dirt road. I have a stock Rav4 and it was able to drive on it although there are a few spots you need to be careful at so you don’t scrape the bottom of your car. We only spent one night but we never saw another person during our stay
Traveler
Peaceful dispersed campground. Wide open great views. Didn’t even know I had neighbors until I walked around in the morning and saw neighboring campers over the hill. Clear skies when I went back in November, could get pretty windy. Saw some coyotes pass by my camp.
Scout
Pretty small spot off the road, does get kind of loud from cars but overall a decent and clean spots
TravelerThis is a great area. I recommend you bring extra mosquito repellent. Have fun!
ScoutHere in late May and the bees and other bugs have been nonstop on me the whole time I've been here. It's a really beautiful area and the spots are spacious
ScoutThis was a last minute Memorial Day weekend trip with my boyfriend and 2 dogs. Friday sent an email to SM.FS.DescansoRD@usda.gov requesting the free permit (after doing research and finding out you need one), filled out the form, and got it back in the same day. Easy to get there, easy directions once there just make you pass the sign that says leaving the recreation area after that you can find any spot and camp. It was a little bumpy but nothing too bad. Drove with my jeep renegade that isn’t a 4wheel drive. A little busy due to the holiday but not too bad. Cyclist riding by, vehicles, and hikers. Which was nice saying hi. Hardly any service for my carrier which is T-Mobile. Definitely will camp out here again.
Traveler
Absolutely quiet and an amazing starry sky
Ideal for tents
ScoutVisited early May. Arrived right before sunset, there were people close to the bathrooms, but lots of space to spread out if you drive a little.
RangerTons of dispersed spots down the road.
TravelerEasy access to most designated campsites. Enjoy the changing colors at dusk. My area had 2 bars of verizion service.
ScoutPeople riding motorcycles, trucks,screams, not a good place for solo camping for sure
Scout
Pretty sandy - would recommend 4wd but i suspect you could get in without. got my jeep deep into the canyon between coachella weekends and was the only person there.
Guide
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.
Guide
Drove in..., drove out. As another review noted, it's a big parking lot. Fine if you just need a place to pull over, nothing of value there..., maybe proximity to a hiking trail.
ScoutRainy
ScoutCould be maintained. Went during a very rainy season. So it could definitely be attributed to the time of year. Will be another opportunity in the future.
GuideWe arrived passed 10pm on the dirt road with no other campers. Beautiful site in a quiet location with endless views and there’s no fee. Who could ask for more?
GuideThis is ideally a good spot, but the sand is way too deep to get far enough off of the road.
Guide
Drove up this road thinking it would be okay, but as I got closer to the location, the sand got deeper. At night it was especially hard to see. Any of the roads going off the main road were too deep with sand to get into without getting stuck. Had to turn around and ended up parking closer to JT park.
TravelerThis place should be part of the park system. Stunning diversity in color and rock formations. If you hike to the top of the loop, you’ll not only feel like you’ve accomplished something special, but you’ll also get to see the rock formations and vegetation change with elevation. In the higher points of the hikes, you can see the Salton Sea from afar. Absolutely stunning at sunrise and sunset.
TravelerAT&T: 1-2 bar signal. First time to go out camping in the desert. I’m so glad it was at this location! So spacious, beautiful views. It’s quiet, clean, just very peaceful.
GuideVery nice spot for camping. Loved the trails, nice sunrise. Will definitely come back
Guide
Very nice camping area, beautiful sunrise, nice trails. Its pack in pack out, pit toilets. Watch little dogs as the area has hawks.
GuideFavorite free campsite so far. Free for 30 days, pack in pack out, there are pit toilets near the entrance, no liter removal or water. Horses and dogs allowed. Beautiful views and trails. There are quite a few bees though, other than that, loved it.
Guide
Good if you need to get off the highway to catch some sleep. People shoot here so there’s shells, rusty metal, and broken glass everywhere.
Camping near Ranchita, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy nature and unwind.
Camping near Ranchita, California, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or a family adventure, there's something for you in this beautiful area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ranchita, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ranchita, CA is Pine Creek Road Camp with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Ranchita, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 31 dispersed camping locations near Ranchita, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
