Best Dispersed Camping near Tahoe National Forest

Tahoe National Forest is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Tahoe National Forest is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Tahoe National Forest, CA. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Tahoe National Forest (45)

    1. Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs

    5 Reviews
    Dyer, NV
    18 miles

    "The dirt road getting in was pretty washboarded and I have a larger truck so I just had to take it slow."

    "We were driving from Las Vegas to Yosemite > It’s a nice spot to spend the night, it’s almost halfway."

    2. Crab Cooker Hotsprings - Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Inyo National Forest, CA
    31 miles
    Website

    "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."

    3. Volcanic Tableland BLM Dispersed Camping

    13 Reviews
    Bishop, CA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 872-5000

    "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."

    4. Mono Lake South Dispersed

    16 Reviews
    Lee Vining, CA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 873-2400

    "All around Mono Lake is USFS and BLM land that is open for dispersed camping, as long as you stay above the 1941 water line (you will see signs marking this line, which is fairly close to the lake)."

    "The cab-over cantilever @front (facing east) also gave shade in the late afternoon heat! "

    5. Inyo National Forest Dispersed Camping

    13 Reviews
    June Lake, CA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 873-2400

    "You can get maps for this area at some of the information boards at the beginning of the dirt roads, they also have an app that will show you all the roads in the area."

    "We boondocked in Inyo National Forest just last weekend, September 27-29, and it felt like we had the place to ourselves."

    6. Hilltop Hot Springs

    3 Reviews
    Inyo National Forest, CA
    30 miles

    "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."

    7. Sage Hen Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    June Lake, CA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 873-2400

    "The dirt road into this spot off of Hwy 120 is washboarded but doable. This spot is at an intersection of forest service road 1S158A and Sage Hen Rd."

    8. Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site

    9 Reviews
    Lee Vining, CA
    39 miles
    Website

    "And an even better breeze at night. lots of bugs. bring bug spray. 4wd not required, but might help. High clearance will help."

    "Along a National Forest Service Road are 4-5 pullouts with great views of Mono Lake and the adjacent small crater.  You can walk up the crater or hike down to the South Tufa area.  "

    9. Scenic Loop - Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Mammoth Lakes, CA
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 924-5500

    "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!"

    10. BLM Road to Hot Springs

    2 Reviews
    Mammoth Lakes, CA
    31 miles

    "Winter doesn’t have as many open dispersed camping area near mammoth as summer so it’s good for that"

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Tahoe National Forest

127 Reviews of 45 Tahoe National Forest Campgrounds


  • Thomas K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2020

    Crab Cooker Hotsprings - Dispersed Camping

    Private hotspring with mountain views

    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. No service with Verizon.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2021

    Sage Hen Dispersed

    Beautiful, near Mono Lake

    The dirt road into this spot off of Hwy 120 is washboarded but doable. This spot is at an intersection of forest service road 1S158A and Sage Hen Rd. There was still snow on the dirt road at this time of year (in mid April) so be aware,  and there are also low hanging branches that might make it tough for taller rigs. 

    This spot is a large flat area with zero amenities so bring water and pack in and pack out. 

    Good for a night or two if you want to hike or bike along the plethora of forest service roads. There were signs on the way in for both free range cattle and horses, but we didn't see any.

     Cell service with Verizon, weak but usable.

  • Val C.
    Jul. 3, 2023

    Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site

    Epic

    Came up here in July. It gets warm during the day, but there is a good breeze during the day. And an even better breeze at night. lots of bugs. bring bug spray. 4wd not required, but might help. High clearance will help.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 9, 2021

    Mono Lake South Dispersed

    Beautiful view of Mono Lake

    All around Mono Lake is USFS and BLM land that is open for dispersed camping, as long as you stay above the 1941 water line (you will see signs marking this line, which is fairly close to the lake). Note there are multiple pull out areas and forest service roads to stay in along Hwy 120 east just be mindful that the entire area is sand, as some vehicles may get stuck.

    The road into these spots is quite sandy and narrow in some places, but we did fine in our 26' Class C. There is a very large previously burned area with charred remains of plants and trees but it made for some interesting eerie photos. Very quiet place with amazing views and stunning night sky. There are no amenities so bring water and pack in and pack out all trash. Nearby are various hikes and other roads to the range of craters in the area and the tufas along Mono Lake.

    We stayed there on a Monday night and did not see anybody else around, other than a truck that drove past our camp spot in the night.  Very quiet night.

    Good cell reception from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.

    Note that Google Maps said that Hwy 120 is closed Oct through May and would not direct us to this area via that road, but the road was open in April 2021, probably due to the mild winter.  Check Hwy 120 conditions for yourself because without it you miss out on so much beautiful area to explore.

  • Dave V.
    Sep. 13, 2018

    Gladys Lake Backcountry, Ansel Adams Wilderness

    Breathtaking Beauty!

    RANGER REVIEW: Mountain House Spaghetti with Meat Sauce at Gladys Lake Backcountry Campsites, Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA

    CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Gladys Lake Backcountry Campsite, Ansel Adams Wilderness

    Backcountry camping often offers great hiking, epic scenery, serene solitude and otherwise missed sights. Depending on location, backcountry campsite locations can offer their own challenges, whether through the permitting process, preparation of gear and meals, logistics, or difficult terrain…but the trade offs can pay out big dividends.

    Leaving behind the din of packed campgrounds…getting unplugged from electronic encumbrances…relaxing beside an untouched alpine lake where the only sound you hear is the whir of dragonfly wings as they dart about.

    Only a set number of backcountry permits are issued daily, so crowds and impact remain minimal to nonexistent.

    Permits are necessary for all backcountry overnight stays in the Inyo National Forest. https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/inyo/passes-permits

    Whenever backcountry hiking/camping in California, do yourself a service and go online https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/passes-permits/?cid=stelprdb5139009 and take the California Campfire Permit test to acquire your certificate and possess it when in the backcountry.

    Several ways to get to Gladys Lake exist…

    1. John Muir Trail (JMT) thru-hike permits NOBO or SOBO

    2. John Muir Trail section hike permits

    3. Wilderness Permits Day hike permits

    You could enter from Reds Meadows and follow the JMT north to Gladys Lake…or better from Agnew Meadows and follow the Shadow Creek Trail (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=21272&actid=51 ) up and around Shadow Lake and then south on the JMT past Rosalie Lake to Gladys Lake. Each access trail has a daily quota…such as Shadow Creek, which has a daily quota of 30…18 secured through reservation and 12 walk-ups. So if you are choosing to walk-up, have some flexibility of starting days.

    We had a JMT SOBO permit acquired six months in advance through the NPS permit lottery. But next visit, I will likely enter through Agnew Meadows via day permit.

    Most hikers will stop and camp at Rosalie Lake, which is a wonderful option and a much larger lake. Some would suggest a more picturesque lake than Gladys Lake…but that is all in the eye of the beholder.

    August of 2018 saw little precipitation and the winter snowfall was below expectations, so lake water levels were lower and surrounding shoreline not marshy or soggy. Which made for dry and mosquito free conditions.

    The effects of local forest fires did cover surrounding mountain views during certain times of the day, and brought with it a bit of lung burning and eye stinging. Early morning and late evening hours brought clearer skies.

    Be forewarned that seemingly every backcountry campsite brings with it a steep uphill slog, but worth it. Gladys Lake is at 9600 ft elevation.

    I believe there was one other camper at Gladys Lake the night we stayed…but we neither heard nor saw them. It was a perfectly peaceful evening!

    Amenities? Well, no showers…no toilets…no water spigots…no electricity…no picnic tables…one lonely stone fire ring but open fires are not permitted. No cell service or WiFi…no general store or local grocery store. However, Gladys Lake water was refreshing both to wade and drink (filtered). You are surrounded by fragrant conifers that buffer sound. A perfectly peaceful location to relax and dream.

    PRODUCT REVIEW: Mountain House Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

    https://www.mountainhouse.com/

    As a frequent user of Mountain House freezes dried dinners, and being a creature of habit, I often settle into a couple favorite meals and don’t deviate to new offerings. Mundane and boring?…perhaps.

    But…after winning $100 worth of Mountain House meals through an early season TheDyrt.com contest… and with my daughter as my hiking buddy, I selected several different meals to avoid mutiny.

    One of these meal pouches was Mountain House’s Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.

    I admit, I was a little suspect as to how freeze-dried spaghetti with meat sauce would taste, but we were both very pleased with the sauce flavors, seasoning and the amount of meat in the sauce. The only thing I would add is a couple slices of toasted garlic bread.

    If the next rotation of Mountain House Spaghetti with Meat Sauce was easily located in our bear canisters, we would’ve likely had a second helping…but sadly, it was not.

    In pairing down weight before our backcountry hike, I removed the contents from Mountain House’s original packaging and utilized a commercial vacuum sealer to make smaller, lighter meal packs as 11 days of food needed to fit in a bear canister. It worked, but the distinct drawback was not being able to prepare the meal in the resealable pouch. A pot was necessary to allow the freeze-dried contents to soak in the boiling water. So clean up was more extensive than it would’ve been by using the Mountain House resealable pouch. It was a trade off and we made it work.

    If you are new to Mountain House freeze dried meals, directions are printed plain and simple on the pouch.

    •Measure out the prescribed amount of water

    •boil water

    •open meal pouch and remove moisture packet

    •pour boiling water in pouch and stir contents thoroughly

    •seal pouch for prescribed time

    •open pouch and stir contents

    •serve and enjoy

    It doesn’t get any easier.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2022

    Owens River Road Dispersed

    Lots of Spots Along Owens River Rd

    There are a ton of spots to camp along Owens River Rd.  All the spots closest to 395 were taken when we went in late September, but we found this spot that I've marked here that was easily accessible in our 26ft Motorhome.  Owens River Rd itself is paved, but the offshoots are hit or miss so take it slowly and proceed at your vehicle's ability. 

    This particular spot was nice and big and is probably suitable for any size rig.  The pavement on the road heading in was partly washed out but we were easily able to drive around the pits.  See video - it's long but I recorded us leaving the spot and showed the pits in the road.

    Good cell reception, very quiet, very little traffic.  

    No amenities, no toilets, no trash service.  Area was clean! Hopefully it stays that way.

  • Alex P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2020

    Inyo National Forest Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful dispersed camping

    You can get maps for this area at some of the information boards at the beginning of the dirt roads, they also have an app that will show you all the roads in the area. What’s nice is the map color codes the roads so that you know what your vehicle is capable of driving on. Some of the roads can get a bit rough, so make sure you know your vehicles limits. Once you get out there, enjoy! It’s so beautiful and quiet. Please make sure you pack in and pack out your trash, there are no services for that. Also, be aware of fire restrictions!

  • Megan S.
    Jul. 28, 2022

    Scenic Loop - Dispersed Camping

    Great free camping!

    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. Pretty dispersed but close enough to downtown. Would go back!

  • T
    Oct. 3, 2019

    Inyo National Forest Dispersed Camping

    Boondockers welcome!

    We boondocked in Inyo National Forest just last weekend, September 27-29, and it felt like we had the place to ourselves. The location was incredible, there were fellow boondockers around, but not too close, and it felt like we had the place to ourselves. There is no water on site that we found, but we knew that going in. Our rig was 58' long and we had no issues getting in or out. We enjoyed Jeeping on the trails in Inyo National Forest, and we enjoyed the peace and quiet. We will be back.


Guide to Tahoe National Forest

Dispersed camping near Tahoe National Forest offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of options, it's a perfect getaway for outdoor enthusiasts.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Tahoe National Forest, California

  • Many spots, like Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs, allow for a peaceful experience with no fees, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious campers.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities; for instance, Crab Cooker Hotsprings offers no drinking water or electric hookups, so bring your supplies.
  • Always check road conditions before heading out, as some areas, such as Sage Hen Dispersed, may have rough access roads that require careful navigation.

Scenic hot springs for dispersed campers

  • The Shepherd Hot Springs provides a relaxing soak in natural hot springs, perfect for unwinding after a day of hiking.
  • For those seeking a more secluded experience, Hilltop Hot Springs offers stunning views and a tranquil atmosphere, ideal for stargazing at night.
  • If you're looking for a unique experience, consider Rock Tub Hot Springs, where you can enjoy the warmth of the springs while surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Dispersed campers should check out Mono Lake South

  • Mono Lake South Dispersed is known for its breathtaking views and proximity to the lake, making it a picturesque spot for camping.
  • The area features sandy roads that may require a vehicle with all-wheel drive, so plan accordingly to ensure a smooth arrival.
  • Campers can enjoy a peaceful environment with minimal noise, allowing for a truly immersive nature experience while exploring the unique landscape around Mono Lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best spots for dispersed camping in Tahoe National Forest?

Tahoe National Forest offers several excellent dispersed camping locations. Laurel Springs Campground provides secluded sites accessible via a narrow grassy path, making it ideal for small vans and cars with some clearance, though not recommended for big rigs. Remember the 14-day maximum stay limit and summer fire restrictions. Another great option is Sage Hen Dispersed, located off Highway 120. While the dirt road is washboarded, it's generally navigable, though be prepared for potential snow in spring and low-hanging branches that might affect taller vehicles. For all dispersed camping in Tahoe National Forest, practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash and respecting campfire regulations.

Is there a map available for dispersed camping in Tahoe National Forest?

Yes, maps for dispersed camping in Tahoe National Forest are available from several sources. The Tahoe National Forest Service offices provide official motor vehicle use maps (MVUMs) that show roads where dispersed camping is permitted. These maps are available at ranger stations or as free downloads from the USFS website. For digital options, Inyo National Forest Dispersed Camping areas use a similar system where information boards at the beginning of dirt roads provide maps, and there's a mobile app available that shows all accessible roads. The app helpfully color-codes roads based on vehicle capability, which is particularly useful for determining which areas are accessible with your specific vehicle type.

Are there free dispersed camping options near Lake Tahoe?

Yes, there are several free dispersed camping options near Lake Tahoe. Mono Lake South Dispersed offers free camping on USFS and BLM land surrounding Mono Lake, with the only restriction being to stay above the 1941 water line (marked by signs). Multiple pull-out areas and forest service roads along Highway 120 east provide accessible spots. Another excellent option is Scenic Loop - Dispersed Camping, which features multiple turn-offs for camping with no facilities but convenient proximity to town. Remember that dispersed camping generally means no amenities (no bathrooms, water, electricity, or fire rings), and you'll need to pack out all trash.