Primitive camping near Tahoma, California takes place primarily on El Dorado National Forest land, situated in the Sierra Nevada mountains at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 9,000 feet. The area features steep granite slopes and dense conifer forests, with summer temperatures typically ranging 75-85°F during day and dropping to 40-50°F at night. Most dispersed camping locations near Tahoma can be accessed from May through October, though early season camping often encounters lingering snow patches at higher elevations.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: Near Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping, visitors can access multiple trails. "You follow a dirt road and have camping spots along the road. When I was here it was jammed packed RV, vans and tents all set up along the road," notes one camper, who adds it's "good for an overnight stay. No AT&T service what so ever."
Rock climbing: Areas surrounding dispersed camping offer climbing options. Near Iron MT. Dispersed, "The abandoned ski lifts are pretty cool to look at and hike along them as well," shares a visitor who "camped right on the edge where the view was as far from the highway as possible."
Swimming: Several primitive camping spots provide lake access. At Loch Leven Lakes, one camper reports, "We backpacked up to the high loch levens lake where we found many available campsites... We swam in the lake and napped in our hammocks." Be aware that "the hike up was a bit difficult with a heavy backpack due to all the rocks you have to climb over on the trail."
What campers like
Flat terrain: Many campers appreciate level sites for easy setup. At USFS Silver Fork Dispersed, visitors 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."
Privacy: Despite popularity, campers can find secluded spots. One visitor to Packsaddle Pass - El Dorado National Forest Dispersed described it as "standard dispersed camping on national forest land. Paved main road with dirt roads and areas for camping branching off. Plenty of room."
Sunset views: Many primitive camping locations offer scenic sunset viewing. At Iron MT. Dispersed, reviewers consistently mention the "amazing views" and report that "the sun set are awesome can see colors in the sky for a good two hour."
Water proximity: Campsites near streams and lakes are popular. At Silver Fork Dispersed, a camper shared: "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."
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Rules vary by location and season. At Echo Summit Dispersed, fires are not allowed. One visitor notes 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."
Road conditions: Many primitive camping areas require high-clearance vehicles. At Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping, "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."
Cell service: Reception varies widely between locations. Iron MT. Dispersed campers report mixed experiences: "We had 3 bars of AT&T connection there" while another mentions "I had no service with Verizon or t-mobile."
Weather unpredictability: Mountain weather changes rapidly. A Loch Leven Lakes visitor advised to "start early in the day to make sure you get good parking as this is a very popular trail, and so that you can get a good campsite and enjoy the lakes for as much time as possible."
Tips for camping with families
Easy access options: Look for sites with simpler approaches. At Hope Valley Dispersed, campers find "free camping" with relatively straightforward access, making it suitable for families who want primitive camping without difficult approaches.
Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for potential encounters. A Loch Leven Lakes visitor warns: "I did read though that last week there were some rattlesnake sightings, so just be cautious of snakes."
Supplies planning: No services available at primitive sites. At Silver Fork Dispersed, a camper advises: "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."
Bug protection: Mosquitoes can be prevalent. One camper at Loch Leven Lakes shares: "I will say that there was a lot of mosquitos. Even with bug spray I left with 7 bites. But, it's the outdoors what do you expect?"
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many dispersed areas can't accommodate larger rigs. However, at Union Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping, a camper with a 40-foot fifth wheel shared: "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."
Parking strategy: Arrive early to secure suitable parking for larger vehicles. Another Union Valley camper noted: "First come first serve sites although plenty, fill up fast. Luckily there is a lot of Dispersed camping all the way around the lake!"
Level ground importance: Scout for flat areas that can accommodate RVs. At Silver Fork Dispersed, a visitor recommends "taking some time to survey the land before setting up camp, as some spots are slightly sloped."
