Best Dispersed Camping near Shoshone, CA

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Shoshone, CA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Shoshone campgrounds just for you. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your California camping adventure.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Shoshone, California (24)

    1. Shoshone - Tecopa - Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Shoshone, CA
    3 miles
    Website

    "A great quiet and peaceful place - a smooth dirt/gravel road that was easy to navigate with a little car.

    There were pull off spots, basically individual camp sites for each person."

    "The dirt roads are okay but not great as far as how rough they are, but you don't have to have a 4x4 so that's good."

    2. Death Valley Wilderness Area Dispersed Camping — Death Valley National Park

    3 Reviews
    Shoshone, CA
    17 miles
    Website

    "11mi in from Warm Spring Canyon road (heading west off of West Side Road along the Badlands) is a settlement of buildings established to mine talc in the nearby mine."

    "I'd recommend AWD with high clearance at a minimum as the road can be a little washboardy and sandy."

    3. Death Valley: Dispersed Camping East Side of Park

    27 Reviews
    Amargosa Valley, CA
    31 miles

    "Very close to the park. Right off the highway and easy to find. No water, no restrooms and no cell service. Be careful if you tent camp off the pads."

    "A beautiful and remote area of Death Valley National Park “backcountry.” Be sure to research the Park’s rules for disperse camping."

    4. Lovell Canyon Dispersed Camping (Spring Mountain)

    55 Reviews
    Blue Diamond, NV
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (702) 515-5000

    "Prefect place to get away from Vegas. Many places for camping and easy to pull a trailer. Main road mostly paved. Other roads were dirt but well maintained and manageable."

    "There were plenty of people camping out here last night but we found a private turn off with epic Mountain View’s. Paved road with dirt road turn-offs. No facilities. Many spots had fire rings."

    5. Wheeler Pass Road Dispersed

    13 Reviews
    Pahrump, NV
    28 miles

    "Great TMobile and Verizon. 1 mile from highway behind Home Depot in open dessert criss crossed by multiple dirt roads. Scout ahead! Full of city services and a welcoming community."

    "There are several roads that some think give better access to campsites off HIghway 160 in town.  Wheeler Peak Rd is south of town.

    Best one might be Charleston Peak Rd. "

    7. Ash Meadows Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Pahrump, NV
    28 miles
    Website

    "Camping review: Dispersed camping just South of the refuge. There are lots of dirt roads off the main road outside of the refuge that you can camp on."

    8. Front Sight Campground

    1 Review
    Pahrump, NV
    25 miles

    ".***

    Just outside of the facility is a massive flat area for camping and parking. It is on BLM land, however, if you plan on staying here I recommend giving security a heads up."

    9. Wheeler Pass

    2 Reviews
    Pahrump, NV
    27 miles

    "Rough road to access, but accessible with 2wd. Plenty of flat spots. A decent amount of trash laying around. Close to town."

    "Absolutely amazing spots close to town but far enough at the same time. Minimal cover from the wind is the only drawback. 3 bars 5g with ATT and booster, pulling 300mbps with redzone wireless."

    10. Cathedral Canyon Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Pahrump, NV
    26 miles

    "This is dispersed camping along and inside Cathedral Canyon, a small canyon that was converted to an outdoor “cathedral” by a local resident in mid 20th century. Just southeast of Parumph off 95."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Shoshone, CA

180 Reviews of 24 Shoshone Campgrounds


  • Jay A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2022

    Mack's Canyon Dispersed

    Great Summer Tenting Area

    NO facilities at all. No water, no trash pickup, and no toilets. Bring Everything and pack it all out. 

    If there are fire restrictions, PLEASE don't light campfires. After years of drought, this place is a tinderbox. Your mistake could easily trap people further up the canyon with no way out. It is Illegal for a reason. 

    The first mile is an easy dirt road, suitable for RV's and Campers.

    The rest of the way is a fairly rough forest road - heavily rutted in places, with some steep drops. I wouldn't take anything but the smallest trailer back here, but it's perfect for tents. 

    That being said; my AWD Subaru Outback made it there and back with no problems. 

    Beautiful and cool during the summer - gorgeous stars at night.

  • Hayley K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 3, 2020

    Ash Meadows Dispersed Camping

    Ranger Review: Kuga Campervan at Ash Meadows

    Camping review: Dispersed camping just South of the refuge. There are lots of dirt roads off the main road outside of the refuge that you can camp on. There are little turn offs and cut outs for you to pull up in. Ideal for car camping or RV's. The main road heading into the park on the South side of the refuge so you can easily get into the park by foot or via the dirt roads. 

    You will need to look at maps to make sure you aren't on private property. The road going into the refuge is fine to for overnight stays, but if you want extended stays, you can go to Funeral Mountains Wilderness, which is across the main road on the way into Death Valley and stay up to 14 days for free. 

    Ash Meadows is a BEAUTIFUL refuge filled with wonder. A literal Oasis In the Desert. In this refuge you will find many endangered pupfish swimming along in the many warm springs in the refuge. They are federally protected so you will need to keep your distance. You can also see Crystal Spring. Crystal Spring pumps out over 2800 gallons of water a minute form an underground warm aquifer. It is also cerulean blue due to the limestone breakdown in the water. 

    There is also the incredible Devil's Hole located in the refuge. This is a geologic wonder of the world. It is a hole int he base of a mountain that is filled with the clearest water and the famous Devil's Hole Pupfish. These guys are incredibly close to extinction and live in a crazy environment. The Devil's hole is known the world over as a dangerous diving spot. Many divers have been lost in the underwater maze and no one even knows how deep it is. Some divers have even died trying to find out. Anywhere in the world if there is a large scale geologic shift (earthquake), it registers in this hole and the water will splash about like a wave pool. 

    The entire location is hike in only. You will need a map and check for permits at the visitor's center. 

    Travellers Autobarn Kuga Campervan Gear Review(Driving) 

    While out volunteering over a week for the Audubon Bird Counts, I was able to evaluate the AWESOME Kuga campervan. Since I was gone for 7 days, I broke my evaluation up into sections where the most important features of the van were utilized. If you want to see the rest, check out my reviews for **Pahranagat Wildlife Refuge, Cathedral Gorge State Park, Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge, Desert Wildlife Refuge, and Big Dune Recreation Area. **

    This company is awesome, they come from Australia and New Zealand and we are super excited to have a truly affordable rental camper van in the United States! You can rent out different sizes and get an array of gear with them. This is perfect for music festivals, road trips, and for camping in extreme weather. 

    Check them out here: https://www.travellers-autobarnrv.com/campervan-rv-rentals/kuga-campervan/

    • Driving ability: This van is a pretty smooth drive for being such a big lug of a van. If you drive smart it gets about 500 miles to a 31 gallon tank which means I only spent about$250 total for a 7 day trip across Nevada and Death Valley Region. You have quite a few blind spots but if you leave the curtains open in the back window you can still use your rearview mirror in addition to the side mirrors. I kept the speed no higher than 55-60 so I could keep good gas mileage. 
    • Dirt Road Considerations: Even though this entire Refuge is dirt roads, do not take this on dirt roads if at all possible. They request that you keep to main roads that are paved with the exception of driving up to about 200 yards for campgrounds that are packed dirt. I saw why driving into this refuge when this hunk of a van was rattling and making me nervous. Mostly nervous because it wasn’t mine, but also because I didn’t put all my gear in safe places so I would occasionally hear a cup or book fall off the counter. They were smart and had little door button locks to keep the cabinets closed during drives too, which was handy!
  • Samantha M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 19, 2024

    Death Valley: Dispersed Camping East Side of Park

    So much space!

    Large space, you can park on the pads or the dirt. Very close to the park. Right off the highway and easy to find. No water, no restrooms and no cell service. Be careful if you tent camp off the pads. My tent got some holes from the tiny rocks, even with a good foot print. Some are just very pointy. Overall great free spot, can’t complain. Would definitely camp there again.

  • Sam O.
    Dec. 31, 2020

    Death Valley: Dispersed Camping East Side of Park

    Hole in the Wall, Dispersed Camping

    A beautiful and remote area of Death Valley National Park “backcountry.” Be sure to research the Park’s rules for disperse camping.

    Enjoy hours of exploring without seeing another person for days.

    No facilities, No campfire pits,

  • Alisa B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 29, 2021

    Silurian Dry Lake Bed

    Life on Mars

    Absolutely amazing free dispersed camping at Silurian dry lake bed.

    Visited in late December, and there were zero other campers out on the lake bed. Lots of entrances to the site from the highway, just be sure to follow an already made path. The farthest you can camp is about a mile off of the road. Very level, great place for boondocking.

    This is BLM managed land, make sure to go online for a free fire permit if you plan to have a campfire.

  • Charlie C.
    Mar. 9, 2021

    Champion Road Dispersed Campsites

    Get a Breath

    Beautiful mountain. In the summer months I’d like to camp higher up. This site is about half way up the mountain and the quick difference going from Vegas through the desert and ending up on top of a lush green mountain side nestled below overhanging peaks is amazing. I always seem to arrive during the night which is something I need to correct, don’t do that. Especially if you are a first timer and have zero knowledge of an area. 
    
    When you pull into the empty turn around and onto the dirt road you could be immediately disarmed. The second you pull off the road you notice gang symbols spray painted on the tree’s (sad) and a lot of empty beer cans. It could be alarming but if you continue up the dirt road it clears up. Really beautiful sites all around. I went in February and got some nice slow flurries which was a nice treat. Problem was that is snowed through the night and I woke up to about three inches. When you’re going in its all down hill, exiting with snow reminds me why I need 4 wheel drive. Enjoy the photos, I will be back!
    
    -Chuck 
    P.S. Don’t forget, always leave the area better than you found it!
              LEAVE NO TRACE. P.S. Don’t forget, always leave the area better than you found it!
    
  • T K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2021

    Lovell Canyon Dispersed Camping (Spring Mountain)

    Great for dispersed tent or small rv

    Prefect place to get away from Vegas. Many places for camping and easy to pull a trailer. Main road mostly paved. Other roads were dirt but well maintained and manageable. Lots of turn offs to disperse camp from main road. Be cautious, there were a couple of groups of campers off the main road that were target shooting into the woodline. If you come across the Red Rock canyon area. Rocky mt gap is the trail you can take to come across the mt in a high clearance 4wd vehicle. Mainly a jeep or something not to wide/long. My truck couldn't get pass some tight areas, so had to turn around.

  • S
    Feb. 13, 2025

    Shoshone - Tecopa - Dispersed

    Quiet, Peaceful & Private

    A great quiet and peaceful place - a smooth dirt/gravel road that was easy to navigate with a little car.

    There were pull off spots, basically individual camp sites for each person. There were others camping, too, including RVs and camper vans. They were nearby but not visible. We drove back in until we came to an empty spot.

    Quiet and peaceful all night. Great flat area for setting up the tent. Low cell signal, but consistently available.

  • Gustavo O.
    May. 5, 2020

    Mack's Canyon Dispersed

    Sweeping Desert Views

    I’ve camped at Mack’s at least 3 times now. It doesn’t get old. Most of the campsites are accessible with a 2 wheel drive vehicle you can only get so far. The views are amazing and it’s just far enough away to see the Milky Way at night. There are no services so remember to leave no trace. 5 stars for this dispersed camping area.


Guide to Shoshone

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Shoshone, California, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of options for those seeking solitude and stunning landscapes.

Dispersed campers should check out Shoshone - Tecopa - Dispersed

  • This spot is known for its peaceful environment, with well-marked sites and fire pits, making it a favorite among campers looking for a quiet retreat.
  • Located just a short drive from Death Valley National Park, Shoshone - Tecopa - Dispersed provides easy access to breathtaking desert views and outdoor adventures.
  • Campers have reported decent cell service, allowing you to stay connected while enjoying the tranquility of the desert.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Shoshone, California

  • For those looking for a unique experience, Death Valley Wilderness Area Dispersed Camping offers stunning remote views and a chance to camp away from the crowds.
  • Be prepared for varying road conditions; some areas may require a vehicle with higher clearance, especially when exploring the more rugged spots.
  • Always check for any necessary permits, as some locations may require them for campfires or overnight stays.

Scenic views await at Wheeler Pass

  • Wheeler Pass is a fantastic choice for those seeking expansive views and a sense of isolation, perfect for stargazing at night.
  • This area is accessible by drive-in, making it convenient for both tent campers and RVs, though be mindful of the wind, which can be quite strong.
  • Campers have enjoyed the proximity to town while still feeling far removed from urban life, making it an ideal spot for a peaceful getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Shoshone, CA is Shoshone - Tecopa - Dispersed with a 4.6-star rating from 8 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 24 dispersed camping locations near Shoshone, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.