Best Dispersed Camping near Salinas, CA
Ventana Wilderness offers several backcountry camping options near Salinas, California. Accessible sites include Bluff Camp and Timber Top Camp, both requiring hikes along established trails. Bluff Camp sits along the Carmel River Trail with trailhead access at Los Padres Dam, requiring numerous river crossings. Timber Top Camp is approximately 2.8 miles from its trailhead, with campsites available along the trail and atop hills offering mountain and ocean views.
Cone Peak provides a more challenging backcountry experience, requiring an 11.1-mile hike with 5,600 feet of elevation gain to reach the summit camping area. Limited water sources exist on these trails, with none available near Cone Peak's summit. All sites require standard backcountry preparations: water filtration, pack-in/pack-out practices, and awareness of seasonal fire restrictions. According to one visitor, Cone Peak "was one of the most beautiful backpacking hikes I've ever done, but also one of the more challenging ones to do in one day." Poison oak is prevalent throughout the region, and trails may become impassable during certain seasons.