Join the fun near Stanislaus National Forest. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near Stanislaus National Forest, CA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
This is a nice little private camp spot for the most part, There's a campground with its own fence around it for private camping With signs posted
Lovely spot if you like to boondock. Hardly anyone drove by....lodge right down the road.
We like a more "dispersed" feel, but felt comfortable.
As these are dispersed sites no picnic tables or fire rings are available either.
The spring itself is pretty nice.
Upon reaching the lake, you will discover approximately twelve camping spots.
Great views
Weather isn’t to hot and very secluded.
There are a few people on dirt bikes ripping around trails so not fully secluded but still a good spot.
$18 / night
Campground had one other campsite occupied, so basically just us. Easy access two miles off US 395 by gravel road.
Several areas along Blue Lakes Rd offer dispersed camping.
GuideI loved camping here. There’s a few spots off the road that leads into the hot springs, before you hit the sign that says no camping. Just pull onto one of the dirt roads on the left and find a spot! Any car or smaller RV could easily drive the road.
There was no one else there when I was camped there, and as a solo female traveler I felt extremely safe. It was quiet and secluded, beautiful, yet only 10 minutes off of 395, less than a mile from the hot spring, and I had full LTE cell reception (verizon).
There are rock fire rings that previous campers have made if you’re going to be here when camp fires are allowed. There’s no other amenities such as picnic tables or a bathroom, water, or garbage collection - this is free dispersed camping, so be prepared to be self-sufficient: pack out what you bring in and leave no trace!
GuideStandard dispersed camping on national forest land. Paved main road with dirt roads and areas for camping branching off. Plenty of room. Some areas have beautiful views of strawberry valley!
GuideThis spot is national forest, and overnight camping is not allowed. We had a knock from someone with the forest service the next morning who was very kind and let us know that overnight is not allowed.
Look up lakes and forest in this area on google — not many places allow dispersed camping
TravelerPlenty of dispersed camping spots. My flat spot that I found not too far from a Creek and I even had 2 bars on my cell phone and watch the movie.
ScoutFree camping
TravelerSeveral areas along Blue Lakes Rd offer dispersed camping. We had a wildflower-filled meadow to ourselves in early August with plenty of near-by trails for dirt bikes, Jeeping, horses, mountain biking or hiking.
TravelerIt’s just the boat launch. Perhaps u can get away with hanging out, not sure. The access to the dispersed camping, in the hill overlooking the water, is gated and locked.
There seem to be plenty of spots to use enroute to the water, just not at the location.
LegendNo camping is allowed at the hot springs themselves, but outside of the hot springs there are a few cleared out spots with fire rings where you can camp. There is a cluster of about 6 spots fairly close together, as well as a few more isolated spots if you're lucky enough to get one. From here it is about a .5 mile walk to the springs.
So many cars zip in and out on the dirt road leading to the hot springs, from early in the morning to pretty late at night. The dust hasn't been too much of a problem but some people do drive rather quickly so watch out for your loose dogs and kids. It was also intermittently very windy.
No services or amenities here, but it is really close to the town of Bridgeport for supplies, so pack in and pack out your garbage(and maybe a little extra) and bring water.
The hot springs are amazing and we got a nice long soak by ourselves in the morning until around 11am when is starts to get busier. Clothing is optional at these hot springs but almost everyone was wearing something. Come sit in a hot spring and enjoy the free camping and extraordinary panoramic views.
The road in is pretty washboarded and rutty in parts, so go slowly.
You can hear road noise and hourly church bells :)
Good Verizon, ATT, and T-Mobile reception.
** Gas here in Bridgeport is very expensive (currently $5.15/gal) so fuel up before you get here.
RangerDispersed camping not far from Lake Tahoe. Easy to drive into just be careful of potholes and large puddles from rain, even in summer. No amenities, but it’s a very beautiful area. There are herds of cows that will make their way through the area, please be respectful of them! Scott’s lake is just up through this area if you have 4x4 capability.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Stanislaus National Forest, California, where nature lovers can enjoy the great outdoors without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots for camping enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Stanislaus National Forest is Bear Valley Dispersed Camping with a 3.9-star rating from 7 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 33 dispersed camping locations near Stanislaus National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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