Best Dispersed Camping near Tahoe City, CA
Looking for dispersed camping near Tahoe City? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your California excursion.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Tahoe City, CA (33)
1. Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping
Echo Lake, California14 Reviews•21 Photos•525 Saves- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
2. Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed
Tahoma, California2 Reviews•11 Photos•149 SavesThe Granite Chief Wilderness was designated a Wilderness area in 1984 because of its pristine nature, natural beauty, and primitive, non-motorized recreational opportunities. Located on the west shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe, the Granite Chief Wilderness is managed by the Tahoe National Forest. This 25,680 acre wilderness offers beautiful valley meadows and spectacular 9000 foot granite peaks.
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
3. USFS Silver Fork Dispersed
Kyburz, California6 Reviews•27 Photos•227 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
4. Luther Pass Dispersed Camping
Echo Lake, California5 Reviews•2 Photos•100 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
5. Loch Leven Lakes
Norden, California2 Reviews•7 Photos•110 SavesThe Loch Leven begins at Placer County Road Pla-9140-2 and ends at High Loch Leven Lake. At the south end of lower Loch Leven, a trail junction continues left to middle and high Lochs, or right to Salmon Lake. Fishing is generally good, and camping is dispersed throughout the basin. Campfire permits are required for campfires, backpacking stoves, BBQs, and lanterns.
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
6. Union Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping
Kyburz, California5 Reviews•10 Photos•219 SavesIf you like to camp away from it all, but you prefer to drive there in your car, the National Forests have just what you are looking for. Most of the land in the National Forest is open to camping free of charge which is referred to as “dispersed” camping. Visitors can camp just about anywhere in the national forest, unless specifically prohibited*. Maps and staff are available at most Forest Service offices to assist visitors in finding a suitable spot.
Not being in a developed campground means that there will not be certain conveniences: Maximum stay limit for camping outside of a developed campground is 10 days per district/per calendar year. Please remove all your equipment and garbage when you leave.
Water Quality: It is best to bring your own water. Lake, stream or spring water may be contaminated.
Human Waste: Proper disposal of human waste is important. Leaving human waste in dispersed camping areas can spread disease, lead to contaminated water supplies, contaminate soils, attract wildlife, and spoil a camping area. Portable eco-friendly human waste disposal systems which allow you to safely "Pack It Out" are commercially available and recommended. As a last resort, choose a spot at least 200' away from water sources and campsites, dig a small hole at least six inches deep, and cover it when you are through. Seal your toilet paper in a bag, pack it out, and dispose of it properly.
No trash service - Pack It In, Pack It Out
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
7. Big Dog Valley
Verdi, Nevada4 Reviews•16 Photos•95 SavesThere is no "campground here" Please be aware most of the Dog / Sardine Valley is private property and a working ranch. The places near the valley floor with picnic tables - those are sheep camps. The places with firepits, also sheep camps. Please respect private property and make sure you are camping in the BLM / USDA lands that rim the valley. Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Dog Valley provides excellent viewing of both wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Forest, meadows, and streams make up Dog Valley’s landscape, creating a cool and refreshing retreat for this popular recreation area. Dog Valley is also home to two rare plant species, Dog Valley ivesia and Webber’s ivesia. Dog Valley ivesia can only be found in Dog Valley. Other attractions include wildlife viewing and the Crystal Peak Mine, a popular spot for crystal-hounds. Dog Valley offers a variety of opportunities to view wildflowers in the Jeffery pine forests and meadows. As you enter Dog Valley from Verdi, you will see the recovery from the 1994 Crystal Fire with displays of mahala mat, silvery lupine, and chokecherry. Explore the openings in the forest with extensive displays of mule’s ear, balsamroot, buckwheats, paintbrushes, yampah, bitterbrush, bare-stem desert parsley, and manzanita. Walking around, it is easy to enjoy the smaller, less visible flowers, including collomia, prairie star flower, and blue-eyed Mary. Wetter areas have displays of shooting stars, delphinium, and Rydberg’s penstemon. Best Viewing Times: The best time to visit is June and July. Safety First: Creeks and streams can cross the road. Be careful when crossing water and watch for washed-out portions of the road. The road can be very muddy. California OHV registration is required for all vehicles. Campfire permits are also required in California and can be obtained from the Carson District Office or the campground host.
- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
10. Packsaddle Pass - El Dorado National Forest Dispersed
Twin Bridges, California2 Reviews•4 Photos•19 SavesMost of the land in the Naonal Forest is open to camping free of charge which is referred to as “dispersed” camping. Visitors can camp just about anywhere in the naonal forest, unless specifically prohibited*. Maps and staff are available at most Forest Service offices to assist visitors in finding a suitable spot.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Tahoe City
89 Reviews of 33 Tahoe City Campgrounds
- J
Joe K.
Guide
BLM next to Truckee River, in Mustang
Good in a pinch.
Just off of 80 @ the Mustang exit, east bound side. Industrial area, so trucks going by, mostly during the day, but occasionally throughout the night. Good, clean spot to rest for a night. Adjacent to the river
Tyler C.Guide
Reno View Dispersed
amazing view
okay. let’s be real. the road is a beast. I would not drive it with any vehicle other than SUV/Truck. DO NOT bring up an RV/Trailer. you’ll regret it. we stayed and car camped. an awesome view of the lights of Reno. can be very windy but if you get between some of the trees it’s not to bad.
- MMatthew A.
Scout
Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping
Great 1 night stay
Came on a Saturday around 4pm, there were 2 other campers other than me so it wasn’t busy at all. No service for at&t. Overall had a good stay here with my 2 dogs
Ciara W.Guide
Echo Summit Dispersed
Not dispersed camping
This 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
- AAnthony F.Scout
Hope Valley Dispersed
Hope Valley dispersed
Free camping
ron R.
Ranger
BLM - Water Tank Road Dispersed
Not easily accessible
The two closest roads coming in from the West are blocked off and labeled no unauthorized vehicles. This is due to the construction of the new neighborhoods and they probably annexed the area. You could probably access it from the East but I have no idea how many miles it would be in from where you would come in.
- ron R.Ranger
Peavine Road Dispersed Camping
Complete trash dump
It's sad where we have this public land to camp on and people just dump tons and tons of trash and abandoned cars and demolished cars on the property would not recommend going. There's some more BLM land about 15 to 20 minutes north on Red Rock road.
Tim R.Guide
Packsaddle Pass - El Dorado National Forest Dispersed
Standard Dispersed Camping
Standard 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!
Paxton B.ScoutMerrill Valley Dispersed Camp
The road is terrible
Not really sure if we camped in the right spot. It isn’t great, but it got the job done to just crash for a night. Felt like we were in a construction zone
- OOnyx E.Guide
Mormon Emigrant Trail Dispersed Pull Off
Large dirt pull off
Large pull off area I found and stayed at for 4 days with amazing views of the sunset and sunrise! I was there on weekdays so was pretty much alone the whole time but even if the main spot is occupied there’s a couple of dirt roads that lead to more areas to camp. A couple of level spots and lots of room to hike around. Completely free and peaceful but 0 amenities so come prepared. Currently there is an abandoned red semi truck cab so it’s easy to find not sure if that will ever be moved in the future though!
- SShawn M.
Traveler
Bowman Lake Dispersed
Lake side Campsites
If you are looking to be near the water and no service, this is perfect. The rough road in I believe must keep some folks out but the lake is amazing.
- CCheyanne G.Scout
Bear Valley Dispersed Camping
Pin is incorrect
So disappointing this app has failed us like 5 times now on camping spots. Not the right location.
Stephen B.ScoutScotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping
Beautiful, popular, treacherous
I’m motorcycle camping and the ground level was about half full, mostly RVs, so I attempted to head up Scott Lake Road.
The dirt was manageable but there are sections of large rocks difficult to pass on two wheels. I crossed several but I dropped my bike before the second circle. Defeated and exhausted from a long day’s ride, I headed back down to set up my camp among the RV set.
No shade to the lifestyle but this is an awfully long drive to watch TV at top volume.
Anthony K.Scout
Luther Pass Dispersed Camping
Hold on
There’s no legal “dispersed” camping at Luther Pass; there are 11 tent sites with a maximum stay of five days. Very nice campground, though.
DJ M.GuideBear Valley Dispersed Camping
Crowded
Wooded campground, cool weather, good phone reception, many spots taken with no activity probably by locals. Lake, hiking, close shopping.
- Julia H.Traveler
Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping
Great
Lots of people ! come early for a spot. nice views around. lots and lots of bugs. i sleep in my car and crack the windows a little bit and i woke up to a shit ton of bugs that got in my car. even more surrounding the cars. very quiet at night, maybe i just got lucky lol.
- CChris V.Traveler
Echo Summit Dispersed
Echo peak free camping
this location was the site of a fire several years ago, this means that many of the trees have been cleared making it a good site for starlink users like me. There are some power lines and it might be prettier if it had some unburned trees, but it’s great in a pinch and private. Take echo summit road from El dorado and you will see several places to chose from. The road towards the cabins has a very tight turn that will not allow anyone over 25 feet- though i’d recommend smaller.
most likely impassable after snowfall.
Chris N.GuideBowman Lake Dispersed
Great Late Spring Escape
This place was a slice of heaven, but only accessible by way of 4 x 4 with decent clearance. The trail will take you off road for quite some time , but it's well with the adventure. Traction boards and a winch could help you through unexpected obstacles and are recommended to have on hand, but you most likely won't need them. No running water, but there are restroom buildings, fire rings and bear boxes to use. Mosquitoes are abundant here. Don't forget your repellent. The lake is gorgeous, a great fishery, and there are plenty of inspirational views and solitude to be had.
- Raymond B.Traveler
USFS Silver Fork Dispersed
Overnight stay
We recently spent a night at this campsite and found it to be perfect for a quick overnight getaway. The area is spacious and conveniently located not too far off the main road, making it easy to access without feeling too isolated.
There are plenty of sites to choose from, catering to different preferences. However, we recommend taking some time to survey the land before setting up camp, as some spots are slightly sloped.
A huge plus is the gas station just about 5 minutes down the road. It’s well-stocked with all the convenient store items you might have forgotten at home, making it easy to grab any last-minute necessities.
Overall, it was a delightful stay. Just remember, always practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out what you pack in!
- AAlden B.Scout
BLM FLATTOP
Access Sucks
The road kinda sucks but VC is a good time. It was nice other than the road. Please remember to pack everything out, there was a lot of trash I had to pick up that was left behind by others.
- LLinda L.Guide
Grouse Ridge Campground
Amazing spot for a campground.
The last five miles to get to this campground was narrow and rocky. Once we got to the campground, I realized narrow and rocky are okay. We were there last weekend in June and there was still snow on the ground. Woot! It was awesome. Quite a few sites there with fire rings, beat up, bear boxes that didn't open and picnic benches that were in bad shape. They had two pot toilets. This was a very busy campground. Lots of traffic on and out, I'm sure to beat the heat. It was 25 degrees cooler up there than in Sacramento. We loved this campground. I can't wait to go back.
- EEli F.Scout
Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed
Hard to get to
Site looks beautiful but road turns from pavement to 4x4. Pulled over right after the pavement ended. Lots of mosquitos
- BBlair K.Traveler
Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping
Burnside lake
We went just up the road into the wildlife reserve and drove all the way up to burnside lake. Beautiful. Definitely need 4x4 and the road is super bumpy. We had a great spot that looked over the mountains. Would definitely come back. Lots of places to choose from along the way to the lake.
- BBlair K.Traveler
Luther Pass Dispersed Camping
Good in a pinch
This place is beautiful but it’s a designated free camp ground and has minimal spots on one side. The other side was so jammed full. We ended up squeezing in a parking space and asked the ranger for permission to use our pop up there (she was super nice about it). Trash, fire pits, bathrooms are all available there. Single lane road getting in to it was a little harry with other cars. Decent place if you need a safe space to rest.
- BBlair K.Traveler
Union Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping
It was okay
Pretty easy to get to and lots of spaces for dispersed sites. There was trash EVERYWHERE. Broken glass, toilet trash, bottles and cans, we were really disappointed. We found a spot pretty hidden which was rad but someone was shooting litteraly all night long which was frustrating. We probably won’t come back.
- BBlair K.Traveler
USFS Silver Fork Dispersed
Great spot
Not sure if my wife and I found the right spot or went far enough, but we found a great spot about 4 miles before silver fork camp ground. Nice and flat, right next to the stream, already had some stones for a fire ring. Easy road to get out there.
- Susan L.Scout
Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping
What a beautiful place for our 40 ft 5th wheel
We are new to dispersed camping and have a 40 ft 5th wheel as well as a GMC Denali 350 dually. We need a large space to fit into. We arrived on a Monday at noon and found that the large area about 1/4 mile in was not at all crowded. We had our choice of several places to set up. It is very quiet here, not hearing any road noise. A forest ranger told us there were more spaces up near the lake, but we didn’t venture up there.
Guide to Tahoe City
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Tahoe City, California, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, campers can enjoy the great outdoors while embracing the freedom of camping without designated sites.
Dispersed campers should check out Loch Leven Lakes
- The hike-in access to Loch Leven Lakes offers a peaceful retreat with stunning views, perfect for those seeking solitude in nature.
- Campers can enjoy the freedom of setting up in various spots around the lakes, with many sites providing privacy and beautiful scenery.
- Be prepared for some mosquitoes, as they can be prevalent, but the serene environment and clear waters make it worth it.
Tips for free and dispersed camping near Tahoe City, California
- When visiting Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed, be aware that the access road can be challenging, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
- Always practice Leave No Trace principles, especially at Merrill Valley Dispersed Camp, where there are no trash services available.
- Arrive early to secure a good spot, particularly at Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping, as it can get busy during peak times.
Beautiful views await at Bear Lake Rd. Dispersed
- The drive to Bear Lake Rd. Dispersed can be rocky, but the breathtaking views and peaceful atmosphere make it a worthwhile adventure.
- This area allows for both drive-in and walk-in access, giving campers flexibility in how they choose to set up their experience.
- Be prepared for changing weather conditions, as unexpected rain or snow can occur, adding to the adventure of your camping trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Tahoe City, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Tahoe City, CA is Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping with a 3.9-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Tahoe City, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 33 dispersed camping locations near Tahoe City, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.