Best Dispersed Camping near Redcrest, CA
Dispersed camping opportunities exist in the region around Redcrest, California, primarily on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. Several free primitive sites are available including Lacks Creek BLM, BLM Dispersed Camping - Lacks Creek, Usal Beach Campground, Usal Beach Overlook, and Groves Prairie Dispersed Camp. These sites provide primitive camping options with minimal amenities, typically featuring fire rings and some with picnic tables. Most locations accommodate tent camping, with select areas also suitable for smaller RVs and vehicles.
Access to these dispersed sites typically requires navigation of unpaved, winding roads that can be challenging. The road to Usal Beach features steep grades and rough conditions, making high-clearance vehicles with AWD or 4WD strongly recommended. Many visitors report lengthy drives on dirt roads to reach these locations. Water is not available at any of these sites, and toilet facilities are limited or nonexistent. Cell service varies significantly by location and carrier. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, and campers must pack out all trash as there are no disposal services available.
These remote camping areas provide secluded experiences in diverse natural settings. The sites range from coastal beach camping at Usal to forested settings at Lacks Creek and Groves Prairie. Wildlife sightings are common, with deer and occasionally bears reported in the vicinity. Campers should be prepared for insects, particularly ticks at some locations. Visitor experiences highlight the rewarding nature of these primitive sites despite access challenges. "The road coming into Usal is a pretty messed up mountain road. I would really only recommend this road if you have AWD or 4WD," noted one camper about Usal Beach. Another visitor at Lacks Creek commented, "Beautiful area, cool drive in. But the map on here is misleading… Follow Pine Ridge Road all the way till you hit dispersed sites with picnic tables and fire pits on the right."
