Best Dispersed Camping near Raymond, CA

Dispersed camping near Raymond, California centers primarily on the Goat Meadow area and the region known locally as "Yosemite Boondock National," both situated close to Yosemite National Park's southern entrance. These primitive camping zones fall under Sierra National Forest management, approximately 1-2 miles from Highway 41. The Goat Meadow site functions as both a snow play area in winter and dispersed camping during warmer months, while Mount Raymond Road provides additional options for free camping without amenities or reservations.

Access routes to most dispersed sites involve gravel or dirt roads with varying conditions. Mount Raymond Road may present challenges for larger vehicles, especially at night, though most passenger vehicles can navigate the main access points. Neither Goat Meadow nor the Mount Raymond sites provide water, restrooms, or trash facilities. Fire regulations fluctuate seasonally, with established fire rings available at some locations but strict fire bans often in effect during dry summer months. Cell service is limited throughout the region, with Verizon reported as intermittent at best.

The sites feature large, level spaces amid tall pines, offering shade and natural privacy between camping areas. Proximity to Yosemite National Park makes these locations popular alternatives when park campgrounds are full. "Great spot for overnight car camping, no service, plenty of firewood," noted one camper about Goat Meadow. The dispersed areas remain relatively uncrowded even during peak seasons, though mosquitoes can be problematic in warmer months. Another visitor described their experience: "Quiet and private. Plenty of room to find a tent spot, though road getting there is pretty scary at night, but it's super close to the park."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Raymond, California (15)

    1. Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    42 Reviews
    Fish Camp, CA
    24 miles
    Website

    "After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."

    "Great location, close to Yosemite Park which allows you to sleep for free. the spot was clean, impressive camper vans were present and they were parked on the tarmac. lots of pitches, vans can be placed"

    2. Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping

    12 Reviews
    Fish Camp, CA
    24 miles

    "Nestled amongst trees right on the edge of Yosemite. Was quite busy when I was there but managed to find a quiet spot tucked away & private."

    "Here is the correct location. You can take a dirt road from this parking lot in order to camp in the woods. Dropped pin https://goo.gl/maps/2gskCbuY8XRMD82x5"

    3. Momyer Creek Trail 1E06

    4 Reviews
    Friant, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 382-2882

    4. Hardin Flat Road

    15 Reviews
    Eastman Lake, CA
    41 miles

    "I stayed to car camp and had an overall nice time. There was a good amount of ice but with 4x4 not problem. The ice was melting so if you go anytime after the snow should be a lot less."

    "Great spot a little farther up Hardin Flat Rd. I am parked across from a private drive so I can turn around with my RV if needed."

    6. Evergreen Rd Dispersed camping

    4 Reviews
    Eastman Lake, CA
    42 miles

    "Firstly, the spots aren’t actually on Evergreen; they’re on an easily missed dirt road near Aspen Valley Rd."

    "Great little spot within 10 minutes of one Yosemite’s entrance. Spaces for a few different campsites"

    7. Dewey Point Backcountry Site — Yosemite National Park

    1 Review
    Yosemite Valley, CA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 372-0200

    $5 - $10 / night

    "Booked a last minute permit for the Pohono trail on a recent trip and had Dewey Point as one of my camp sites! Beautiful views of el cap and the valley made for an iconic back country spot !"

    8. Van Haven Dispersed Site Yosemite

    2 Reviews
    Groveland, CA
    38 miles

    "The road becomes increasingly rough and eroded, with deep ruts and drainages. 4WD or AWD is necessary. Site offers scenic views, unobstructed night sky, and interesting exploration. Leave no trace!"

    "Great views along the John Muir trail. 24 hour Public restroom .o2miles from camp site."

    10. Bald Mountain Lookout

    1 Review
    Shaver Lake, CA
    39 miles

    "If you enter from the Tamarack trail head and go down Rock Creek Rd its easy to get to the overlook tower."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Raymond, CA

82 Reviews of 15 Raymond Campgrounds


  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping

    Amazing boondocking!!

    What a brilliant place! Nestled amongst trees right on the edge of Yosemite. Was quite busy when I was there but managed to find a quiet spot tucked away & private. Bumpy roads around the actual camping area but manageable in a camper van. Actually saw a few big rigs here too. Only negative was the biting bugs which were everywhere & hungry but didn’t spoil the evening, just wish I’d taken bug spray or a citronella candle!

  • Mark L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Van Haven Dispersed Site Yosemite

    Rugged, Remote, Dusty

    Red Cloud Rd offers few viable camping sites. The road becomes increasingly rough and eroded, with deep ruts and drainages. 4WD or AWD is necessary. Site offers scenic views, unobstructed night sky, and interesting exploration.

    Leave no trace!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2021

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Amazing off grid Location, Quiet, RV access

    After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location.

    First, to tell you how to properly get here and find all the spots, drive to the end of the road (don’t pay attention to the gate and “off road” dirt road you see to the left before the parking lot. Don’t go there. Go to just before the big Snow Play parking lot and head right through the dirt. There is no paved road but the area is flat and any car, truck or rv/trailer can make it back here easily. I got nervous at first about ability to turnaround so I parked prematurely near the entrance. Keep going and you’ll find at least 4 or 5 big private areas separated by huge cut logs all with plenty of room to turnaround and not have to back up.

    If you’re nervous, we watched several cars, vans, and trailers camp overnight in the big paved parking lot right past this, and that’s fine, but you’re in a parking lot. Come out to the right and you’re in heaven.

    We were the only RV here and had it to ourselves an entire week (granted it’s early November). Can’t beat the proximity to Yosemite south entrance.

  • Caroline D.
    May. 4, 2024

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Great free camp at the exit of Yosemite park

    Great location, close to Yosemite Park which allows you to sleep for free. the spot was clean, impressive camper vans were present and they were parked on the tarmac. lots of pitches, vans can be placed under the trees with the tents.

  • Mouni
    Sep. 23, 2024

    Kamook Staging Camp - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Not ideal

    This is more of an ATV spot, I arrived on a Sunday evening and the ATV people were set up and essentially taking up most of the spots meant for camping. They were using the many many trails meant for ATVs before I arrived and, when I parked a decent distance away from where they were set up, they opted to ride circles around my RV throwing dust everywhere and revving their engines (likely an attempt to run me off). The open space at the top of the hill where the restrooms are is meant for camping, I would NOT ADVISE taking any of the other roads as they are steep, uneven, and you will struggle to turn around.

    There’s one spot at the entrance good for camping (away from most of the ATV action) but it is taken up by a permanent boondocker.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 8, 2025

    Momyer Creek Trail 1E06

    No access

    Tried to stop on the way to Yosemite park. This pulls up to three closed gates that all look to be private properties

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 7, 2024

    Hardin Flat Road

    Visited in April

    Went on 4/5/24 - 4/7/24. I stayed to car camp and had an overall nice time. There was a good amount of ice but with 4x4 not problem. The ice was melting so if you go anytime after the snow should be a lot less.

    There’s enough space for you to distance yourself from others.

    No bear boxes or bathrooms but very safe and easy to access.

  • Deb F.
    May. 30, 2021

    Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful spot just outside of Yosemite

    It’s Memorial weekend and the weather is in the 70s, sun is shining through the forest trees, the birds are singing and this site is a perfect base camp for my day trips to hike in Yosemite.

    Here is the correct location. You can take a dirt road from this parking lot in order to camp in the woods.

    Dropped pin https://goo.gl/maps/2gskCbuY8XRMD82x5

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Evergreen Rd Dispersed camping

    Great little spot to boondock

    Firstly, the spots aren’t actually on Evergreen; they’re on an easily missed dirt road near Aspen Valley Rd. There are two spots at the end of the very short road - each with a fire pit and ample space. There’s tons of dead/dry wood around for fires. It’s close to the road but there isn’t much traffic and it’s very close to the Yosemite entrance.


Guide to Raymond

Dispersed camping options near Raymond, California extend beyond the well-known Goat Meadow and Mount Raymond areas. Most primitive camping near Raymond sits at elevations between 4,500-5,500 feet, creating distinct seasonal conditions. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during day with nighttime lows dropping to 45-55°F. During peak seasons, particularly holiday weekends, arriving early is essential as accessible sites fill quickly despite the remote setting.

What to do

Explore Yosemite's less-crowded areas: Dispersed sites near Raymond provide convenient base camps for accessing the park's southern regions. A camper at Hardin Flat Road notes, "Just a 10 minute drive from the entrance to Yosemite! We were there peak season but mid-week and spots were easy to find."

Winter snow play: Beyond summer camping, the area transforms during winter months. According to a visitor at Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site, "When I was there recently, some of the 'campsites' had 0-3" of snow, whereas other spots were about 6-8". I'm glad I didn't set up in the parking lot though, as around 7am, the place filled up with people sledding."

Stargazing opportunities: The distance from urban areas provides excellent night sky viewing. A camper at Van Haven Dispersed Site Yosemite describes "scenic views, unobstructed night sky, and interesting exploration" as highlights of staying in these more remote locations.

What campers like

Natural privacy between sites: At Yosemite "Boondock National" Dispersed Camping, a visitor shared, "What a brilliant place! Nestled amongst trees right on the edge of Yosemite. Was quite busy when I was there but managed to find a quiet spot tucked away & private."

Wildlife encounters: The area hosts diverse wildlife that frequently visits camping areas. One camper at Goat Meadow reported, "Coyotes and bears are active in the area—coyotes raided a bag I had hanging from a tree and stole my food!" This highlights the importance of proper food storage.

Seasonal variations in crowds: Camping experiences vary significantly by season. A November visitor at Evergreen Rd Dispersed camping found "quite a large level area, though it was November and not peak season so there were loads of space."

What you should know

Variable road conditions: Access roads range from maintained gravel to challenging 4x4 trails. A visitor to Van Haven noted, "Red Cloud Rd offers few viable camping sites. The road becomes increasingly rough and eroded, with deep ruts and drainages. 4WD or AWD is necessary."

Limited facilities and preparation requirements: No primitive camping sites near Raymond provide restrooms or water. A camper at Hardin Flat Road advises, "Lots of ticks! be prepared. other than that, our camp was wonderful. there were many other groups camping in this area which provided a sense of comfort."

Cell service inconsistency: Mobile coverage varies by location and carrier. One camper at Yosemite "Boondock National" explained, "Perfect disperse site had loads of space. When we camped 1 car 2 tents on 4/11/25 there were a number of other people and plenty of spots to check out. The area felt safe and easy to access. Had great cell service through Verizon."

Tips for camping with families

Arrival timing considerations: Families should plan to arrive during daylight hours. A visitor to Evergreen Rd advised, "We got in a lil late and was a little tricky finding a spot. But once we did, it was perfect. Took us about 9 min to get to the park entrance. We'll just make sure we get there earlier."

Space for activities: The dispersed sites often provide ample room for children to explore. At Dewey Point Backcountry Site, one visitor found "beautiful views of el cap and the valley made for an iconic back country spot!"

Seasonal crowd patterns: Holiday weekends dramatically change the camping experience. One camper at Goat Meadow observed, "Stayed about a week which also crossed over Memorial Day weekend. Arrived the Tuesday before. This place gets CROWDED. At 5:30 it's like everyone got off work and headed home, it's nuts."

Tips from RVers

Length and clearance limitations: Many primitive camping roads near Raymond have constraints for larger vehicles. A visitor to Yosemite "Boondock National" noted, "Bumpy roads around the actual camping area but manageable in a camper van. Actually saw a few big rigs here too."

Level parking areas: Finding suitable parking for RVs requires preparation. An RV camper at Hardin Flat Road shared, "Great spot a little farther up Hardin Flat Rd. I am parked across from a private drive so I can turn around with my RV if needed."

Road navigation challenges: RVers should research routes carefully. One camper cautioned, "If you enter from the Dinkey Creek entrance get ready for some good offroad ohv trail action. I was able to get my 13ft offroad camper up there but it was a struggle."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Raymond, CA is Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site with a 4.5-star rating from 42 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 15 dispersed camping locations near Raymond, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.