Dispersed camping near San Dimas, California offers varied terrain between 2,000-7,000 feet elevation throughout Angeles National Forest and surrounding BLM lands. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F during day with nighttime lows of 45-65°F, while winter brings occasional snow at higher elevations. Fire restrictions change seasonally based on drought conditions and wildfire risk.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Mill Creek Dispersed Camping provides excellent access to nearby bike trails. "Near bike trails. Was not crowded mid week, but spots were filling up closer to the weekend. There are a lot of flat spots to choose from," notes Eileen S.
Off-road adventures: For those seeking 4x4 experiences, Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8 offers challenging terrain. "Great for campers that meet 2 criteria 1) You have a Jeep, Truck it similar vehicle that can go off-road. 2) You enjoy dispersed camping (no water/restrooms etc). If both are yes, this place is amazing," reports Nathaniel C.
Dog-friendly areas: Some dispersed sites accommodate pets with open spaces. At Hare School Park, "There's a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them," according to ROCKSTAR C.
Overnight city viewing: Some roadside camping spots offer unique urban perspectives. "The view is gorgeous in the morning sunrise!" reports Valerie about Angeles Crest viewpoints.
What campers like
Convenient overnight options: Angeles Crest Overlook to LA serves as a practical stopover. "I loved car camping here! When I stayed, there were no other people who stayed the night, but quite a few people came throughout the night just for 20 minutes at a time or so. Wasn't too noisy at all," shares Jaydon C.
Wide selection of sites: Multiple pull-off spots allow for different privacy levels. "There are lots of sites on this road. The closer you are to the road the more dust will get in your site from the vehicles passing," explains Dee M. about Mill Creek.
Free alternatives to paid campgrounds: When established campgrounds fill up, Bell Mountain Road provides alternatives. "We didn't follow the directions all the way to the pin, there was plenty of parking on the way... Generally it was quiet," reports HOWARD S.
Cell service availability: Coverage varies by location. "Good cellular reception in my particular location," notes Dickie Simmons S. about dispersed camping near Big Bear.
What you should know
Vehicle requirements vary significantly: Many dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. "First time headed out here and it was a great spot for a disconnected weekend. Trail was fun (definitely needed 4x4) and the sites around has good shade and good size open spots," explains Panda V. about Stockton Flats.
Road conditions can be challenging: Access difficulties affect even 4x4 vehicles at some sites. "The road up to the actual spot is gravel, with lots of potholes and washboard areas, which would make it difficult for an RV. But the biggest issue for RVs is an area of the road that is very steep and immediately turns into a hairpin turn that we didn't even want to try in our 4x4," Francisco F. warns about Mill Creek Dispersed Camping.
Regulation changes occur frequently: Always check current forest regulations. "Camping outside established campgrounds within the Angeles National Forest is sometimes prohibited, you have to be on top of reading recently published orders," advises Les R.
Weekend crowding is common: Site availability decreases on weekends. "Best to get there early as possible to secure a spot," recommends a Stockton Flats visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Consider noise levels: Some dispersed areas experience traffic or nearby activities. "There's a private campground near the Bluff Lake entrance which made noises I can hear from my site which was before Bluffs lake fork," reports Dee M.
Safety considerations: Urban-adjacent areas may have varying activity levels. "Generally it was quiet," notes Howard S. about Rim of the World Byway Dispersed, though mentioning "some garbage, target shooting in the distance and the occasional maniac driving through too fast and kicking up lots of dust."
Pet management: Leash requirements vary by location. "I wanted a place where I could let Bella off leach, so I put it in 4 wheel drive to pull my TAB trailer," explains Gregg P. about finding suitable spots at Rim of the World.
GPS navigation reliability: Different mapping apps may provide conflicting directions. "Use Google Maps; Waze takes you the wrong way, cause it's just right off the freeway, not down a long, very bumpy dirt road," advises Alexander B.
Tips from RVers
Clearance requirements: Many dispersed areas require higher clearance vehicles. "Smaller rigs, medium clearance and lite off-road capabilities recommended," advises Dickie Simmons S.
Parking lot alternatives: Some urban-adjacent areas provide overnight parking. "I've been here for a couple days and nobody's mess with us. There's other people that are staying in another parking lot attached that are homeless in their vehicles mostly cars and vans. I'm in a 25 foot Fleetwood RV," reports ROCKSTAR C.
Road accessibility challenges: Many routes unsuitable for larger rigs. "The turn is not marked well, in fact the coordinates are a little bit off. If you miss the turn like we did you have to go 5 miles or more to get a turnabout big enough to turn around," cautions Joe R. about navigating to dispersed sites.
