Dispersed camping opportunities exist throughout the public lands surrounding Swall Meadows, California, primarily on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Inyo National Forest lands. The Volcanic Tableland BLM area north of Bishop provides numerous primitive sites, while several hot springs areas like Crab Cooker and Hilltop offer additional dispersed camping zones. McGee Creek, Deep Canyon, and Eastern Sierra Flats feature backcountry camping areas accessible via forest roads, with sites typically situated along creeks or offering mountain views.
Many access roads require careful navigation due to washboarding, soft sand, and occasional rough sections. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for reaching more remote sites, particularly at Crab Cooker Hotsprings and along some forest service roads. Most areas have a 14-day stay limit and no amenities—no toilets, drinking water, or trash service. Fire restrictions are common, especially during summer months. Cell service varies significantly by location, with some areas having usable coverage while others have none. Campers must pack out all waste and follow leave-no-trace principles.
"The dirt road into this spot off of Hwy 120 is washboarded but doable," noted one visitor about Sage Hen Dispersed. Areas near hot springs tend to attract more visitors but still maintain a sense of privacy. "Even though most spots were taken the weekend we stayed there, everyone is so spread out that you still have silence and privacy," reported a camper at Volcanic Tableland. The region provides excellent stargazing opportunities and scenic views of the Eastern Sierra. Wildlife sightings are common, and many sites serve as good base camps for exploring nearby hiking trails, climbing areas, and natural features like Mono Lake and the surrounding volcanic landscape.
"This BLM land is managed by the Bishop Field Office. There are many clearings where you can find a spot to camp."
"Easy drive to Bishop for supplies, and the free dump & water fill at the Speedway at the other end of town is really nice. The road in is fairly washboarded, but manageable."
"4x4 or high clearance coming in. Long dirt road with dips and rocks. Water only flowing in winter months. Lots of tent camping spots along with 8 back in spots. Really amazing views 360 degrees."
"About 8 spots at the end of the dirt road. Only one bar of service. It would be hard to access with anything thing over 22ft."
"May 2023- We happened upon this place through "the dyrt" and what a hidden jewel! We camped right next to the stream and stayed one night and it was peaceful and far away from any highway."
"Such a great spot and close to a lot of the local hiking. Nice and flat areas for van parking. Some occasional noise from the road but not bothersome at all."
"The 0.5 mile gravel road has washboards and potholes but it’s short and offers at least a handful of pullouts for flat parking/camping."
"Winter doesn’t have as many open dispersed camping area near mammoth as summer so it’s good for that"
"Road was a little bumpy but I made it in my stock crosstrek, but you get to a very open circle and no one around but close to traffic like 10 min away !"
"This is a must stop on the way to mammoth lakes. big, open, former river bed i assume. Probably not safe during rainy seasons."
"The area was dry when I was there. Nice views."
"Our Tacoma made it to the campsites toward the back of the grounds just fine, but there was access closer to the main road for vehicles without high clearance."
"Multiple locations near by not listed. It gets a bit dusty and windy. Lots of off road vehicles. All the camper vans rolled in after dark and it filled up quick."
"There is a small parking lot & a turn around for cars, it’s not as “dispersed” as advertised."
"We showed up around 3 am and the main loop was taken so we slept in the little parking lot for the hot springs."
"Got here on Sunday - plenty of spots to park the camper van both Sunday and Monday. Multiple turn offs on the Scenic Loop road to camp at. No bathrooms, water, electricity, or fire rings."
"As you drive along this road, every 10 seconds you will pass a dirt road. Each dirt road has multiple campsites!"
"It has shade much the day because of the way it’s situated on a sort of hill. Any damage mentioned in the 2025 reviews has been repaired.
There are two camping areas besides the main parking area."
GuideThere is so many spots back here! We stayed a bit closer to 395 and it was easy to navigate with a 26’ RV. We had initially looked for a spot on the Mammoth side of the highway but found this dirt roads more level and open for the RV. Lovely minus some sort of small critter kept waking me up in the night.
TravelerThe 0.5 mile gravel road has washboards and potholes but it’s short and offers at least a handful of pullouts for flat parking/camping. There’s nothing around except high desert views of the mountains and nearby hot springs. The signs indicate a 14-day camping limit.
GuideDidn’t stay at this exact spot but a bit farther down Casa Diablo road. First few spots were occupied but spread out. Super peaceful. Road was in good condition late Oct 2026 and fine for 26’ RV. 5G AT&T service.
ScoutFirst spot with a 22 feet TT. No problem, amazing view
GuideI've camped here several times in the last few months and it got real busy over holiday periods. Now, the first week of October, it is wonderful. I have a beautiful camping spot and it's really quiet, hardly anyone coming by in the day. In summer months it can get tedious with off road vehicles creating dust and noise. But there are so many places to camp here - depending on the size of your set-up and how far you're willing to leave the main road. There's no facilities here, pack it in and pack it out. Let's keep this place beautiful!
TravelerA small gravel lot good for car camping. Little to no privacy as it’s more or less just a big circle. Beautiful view back down the canyon.
GuideCrab Cooker seems to be empty or cold about as often as it’s functioning. While I was camping nearby, I often went on to Shepard due to Crab Cooker conditions.
The parking lot is City of LA, no overnight parking. But just before you pass the property of LA sign there’s a stellar camping loop to the right.
GuideThe Rock is a small hot tub, and not as hot as some of the others. It has shade much the day because of the way it’s situated on a sort of hill.
Any damage mentioned in the 2025 reviews has been repaired.
There are two camping areas besides the main parking area. One is past the spring and partially flooded with the drain off. The other is a little pull out on the way down to the spring. Both are lovely as long as you don’t expect any privacy in the space.
There is quite a bit of traffic, tho most people seem to leave without even getting in the tub.
I’m confused about the cover photo on this listing, because this location is nowhere near pavement.
GuideHad three bars with t-mobile. Very quiet and reasonably busy for a Sunday night. Well maintained and gorgeous.
Dispersed camping near Swall Meadows, California offers access to both high-altitude alpine terrain and lower-elevation desert landscapes. The area sits at approximately 5,000-8,000 feet elevation along the eastern Sierra Nevada range, experiencing hot summer days with cool nights and cold winter conditions. Winter camping requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop below freezing, while summer brings monsoon patterns with afternoon thunderstorms.
Bouldering at Sad Boulders: Located in the Volcanic Tableland area, this climbing destination attracts outdoor enthusiasts. "Sad Boulders is a rock climber's playground. There are petroglyphs to be found on some of the boulders in the area, as well as rattle snakes, only saw one baby though," notes Laura M. from Volcanic Tableland BLM Dispersed Camping.
Visit local hot springs: The region offers several geothermal soaking options. "The crab cooker hot spring was a little confusing to find. Once you find it... it's TINY. 3 people comfortably. And HOT HOT HOTTTT!" shares Rachel W. who stayed at Crab Cooker Hotsprings.
Hike McGee Creek Trail: An accessible trail with seasonal creek access. "The real glory is in the McGee Creek trail at the end of the road. It's only a couple of miles away and is fantastic, easy hiking. The October foliage was amazing," reports Beth M. who camped at McGee Creek.
Proximity to Bishop: Quick access to town supplies while maintaining a wilderness feel. "Easy drive to Bishop for supplies, and the free dump & water fill at the Speedway at the other end of town is really nice," mentions Laura M. about camping in the area.
Winter camping options: Year-round access makes this area valuable for off-season trips. "Winter doesn't have as many open dispersed camping areas near mammoth as summer so it's good for that," notes Dalton K. who stayed at BLM Road to Hot Springs.
Solitude and spacing: Most sites offer separation from other campers. "Big, open, former river bed I assume. Probably not safe during rainy seasons," shares Tyler D. about Deep Canyon. Another camper at Volcanic Tableland noted, "There are many clearings where you can find a spot to camp. Everyone is so spread out that you still have silence and privacy."
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads require appropriate vehicles. "The road becomes dirt and while bumpy in places, our class B van with low clearance did fine going slow," reports Larry E. from McGee Creek. For other areas, high clearance vehicles are necessary.
Morning hot spring traffic: Popular thermal areas see day visitors. "Night time was quiet, but definitely lots of visitors during the day for the hot springs," explains catalina T. from Hilltop Hot Springs.
Fire restrictions change seasonally: Always check current regulations. "Spots had fire rings" notes Kristyn C. about Volcanic Tableland, but Steve L. explicitly warns "NO FIRES" during restricted periods at the same location.
Cell service varies by location: Coverage is inconsistent throughout the region. "Decent Verizon signal off of the Inyo Crater road" reports Jeffrey F. who stayed at Scenic Loop, while others mention spotty or no service in certain areas.
Creek access for kids: Sites near water provide entertainment and cooling options. "The creek was 40 feet from our spot, running well (Spring of 2023 after record snowfall) and the dog loved playing in it," shares Larry E. from McGee Creek.
Watch for natural hazards: Environmental awareness is important. "Areas are being restored so tread lightly and 'Don't Crush the Brush'" advises Laura M. at Volcanic Tableland, while others mention watching for goatheads that can puncture shoes and paws.
Consider camping weather timing: Seasonal considerations impact comfort. "It would be hard to access with anything over 22ft" notes Thomas K. about Crab Cooker Hotsprings, adding that there was "Only one bar of service" which may affect families needing connectivity.
Size limitations exist: Many dispersed sites have physical constraints. "The road along the back side of the stone 'wall' has gotten worse since we were here last. Parts of it are really rutted and washed out. Hopefully they are fixed at some point, not sure I'd feel comfortable driving our class C on it as it is now," cautions Laura M. about Scenic Loop Dispersed Camping - Eastside.
Boondocking preparation: No amenities means bringing everything needed. "There are no amenities here so pack in and pack out and bring water," reminds Laura M. about camping in Volcanic Tableland.
RV-friendly spots are concentrated: Certain areas better accommodate larger vehicles. "Easy access to all vehicles except some areas that may need a little higher clearance. Nicely secluded but not many great open views in the area since it is in the Forest among the trees," reports Tim W. from Scenic Loop Dispersed Camping - Eastside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Swall Meadows, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Swall Meadows, CA is Volcanic Tableland BLM Dispersed Camping with a 4.7-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Swall Meadows, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 59 dispersed camping locations near Swall Meadows, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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