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Best Dispersed Camping near Universal City, CA

13 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Universal City, California primarily centers around Angeles National Forest, where several primitive options exist for those seeking free camping without amenities. Angeles Crest Overlook to LA functions as a parking area with city views rather than an established campground. Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites provides another dispersed option in the region, though it requires traveling approximately 25-30 miles from Universal City to reach forest service land where such camping is permitted.

Access to Angeles Crest Overlook requires navigating winding mountain roads along Angeles Crest Highway. This location consists mainly of roadside pull-offs and parking areas with no designated campsites, restrooms, or water sources. Stockton Flats requires four-wheel drive vehicles according to visitor reports, with the road being unmarked and difficult to navigate. Fire restrictions vary seasonally throughout the region, with complete bans common during high fire danger periods. Most dispersed sites permit stays up to 14 days as per standard forest service regulations.

The dispersed sites around Universal City offer varied experiences based on their specific locations. Angeles Crest Overlook provides scenic views but comes with drawbacks. "It is not a real campground, just the parking area of a view point. So the view was great," notes one camper, while another mentions "cars did flow in and out occasionally through the night until around midnight." Stockton Flats offers more seclusion but requires proper vehicles. A visitor reports "Deep in nature, beautiful area, no cost and you can almost always find a spot, even on a Saturday in summer." These areas generally lack amenities like restrooms or drinking water, requiring self-sufficiency for overnight stays. Cell service is unreliable throughout most forest areas, with visitors reporting spotty or nonexistent coverage.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Universal City, California (6)

    1. Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    8 Reviews
    La Cañada Flintridge, CA
    12 miles

    "I loved car camping here! When I stayed, there were no other people who stayed the night, but quite a few people came throughout the night just for 20 minutes at a time or so."

    "Great view but on the weekend we had multiple cars doing donuts really close to our van. I felt uncomfortable with that."

    2. Hare School Park

    2 Reviews
    Westminster, CA
    33 miles

    "You can overnight park here with your RV without problems."

    "There’s a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them.There’s no public bathrooms, but there are trash cans so clean up after yourself please."

    3. Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8

    4 Reviews
    Wrightwood, CA
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 382-2851

    "Great for campers that meet 2 criteria 1) You have a Jeep, Truck it similar vehicle that can go off-road. 2) You enjoy dispersed camping (no water/restrooms etc) If both are yes, this place is amazing"

    "Trail was fun (definitely needed 4x4) and the sites around has good shade and good size open spots. Best to get there early as possible to secure a spot."

    4. Heaton flats

    1 Review
    Mount Baldy, CA
    34 miles
    Website

    5. Big Cone Camp - Santa Paula Canyon

    1 Review
    Santa Paula, CA
    45 miles
    Website

    "The trail has changed many times over the years because of the nature of flooding through the canyon, but follow the signs through the middle of the canyon and the main trail will head up the mountain"

    6. Aliklik Campground — Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Frazier Park, CA
    50 miles
    Website
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Universal City, CA

6 Photos of 6 Universal City Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Universal City, CA

13 Reviews of 6 Universal City Campgrounds

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Heaton flats

    Not always allowed

    Camping outside esablished campgrounds within the Angeles National Forest is sometimes prohibited, you have to be on top of reading recently published orders on https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/angeles. Currently, camping is allowed for 7 days or less, see here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/angeles/alerts-notices/?aid=78080 The people I saw camping here looked to have been set up somewhat permanently though. I wouldn't feel comfortable setting up a tent here, but it could be an okay rest area at the beginning/end of the hike to Bridge to Nowhere.

  • Joseph R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2024

    Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    Nope

    It’s basically car camping along the Angeles Crest highway, there’s small pull out spots and, some spots overlooking the forest but kids do tend to party up here and, drive about 100 miles a hour up and, down the road all hours of the night. It can get a bit scary, if you’re alone. Oh cell service non-existent unless you’re closer to the bottom but even then it’s spotty. It’s not a typical campground but it does do the job for a couple days. You will see cars vans along the pull outs coming up but I believe you can car camp on the overlook I have not as I’m more a quiet type person. Be careful though there’s a white van that teams up with a black truck they tried to break in my car while I was sleeping. It is very dangerous and luckily I carry at all times and have cameras.

  • J
    May. 27, 2024

    Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8

    Prepare the climb; also not for big RVs

    The turn is not marked well, in fact the coordinates are a little bit off. If you miss the turn like we did you have to go 5 miles or more to get a turnabout big enough to turn around. You climb a big steep hill to get to the turn in. On the way back down from the turnaround we almost burned out or brakes. We decided not to go to the site because it looked like a one lane road and too tight for our 35 ft bumper pull. Disappointed because pictures from others looked great and it is a beautiful area. We found a spot near the road that I’ll post for others.

  • Nathaniel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 6, 2021

    Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8

    Great if you have a 4x4

    Specs if this campground are wrong, no toilets/water/etc.

    Great for campers that meet 2 criteria 1) You have a Jeep, Truck it similar vehicle that can go off-road. 2) You enjoy dispersed camping (no water/restrooms etc)

    If both are yes, this place is amazing.

    Deep in nature, beautiful area, no cost and you can almost always find a spot, even on a Saturday in summer.

    If you go the the end of 3N06 (main off-road path) there is a good hike that you can take for several hours.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 22, 2024

    Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    Dark, fairly quiet, good view!

    I loved car camping here! When I stayed, there were no other people who stayed the night, but quite a few people came throughout the night just for 20 minutes at a time or so. Wasn’t too noisy at all. Unfortunately I didn’t have any service (Visible/Verizon), so that was a little scary. Other than that, no complaints at all!

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 26, 2024

    Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    Great view

    Great view but on the weekend we had multiple cars doing donuts really close to our van. I felt uncomfortable with that. Next night we moved to the other look out and someone still did donuts behind us- it’s a smaller lookout. Loud music and people talking next to us until about 1 am there is a pull off before this that was very quiet near a trail and nobody bothered us. During the week it’s more quiet. Close to town so that is a plus. Would recommend to smaller vans or car sleepers. I did not feel unsafe except for the donuts that happened near us. If you have dogs I would recommend the trail pull off my dogs really enjoyed the hike

  • robherr The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2018

    Big Cone Camp - Santa Paula Canyon

    Local easy hike to great waterfalls

    This is a fairly easy hike through what would not be considered a typical hike. It starts off going through Thomas Aquinas College, winding through horse property and oil fields, before finally opening up into Santa Paula Canyon. The trail has changed many times over the years because of the nature of flooding through the canyon, but follow the signs through the middle of the canyon and the main trail will head up the mountain to the right.

    Atop the hill on the saddle, nestled among the trees is the primitive Big Cone campsite. It is one of my favorite spots simply because it is close and when my kids were young it was a fairly easy hike to get to, and there's a nice reward when you get there.

    From Big Cone Camp you can easily reach the waterfalls and pools that make this area known as the "punch bowls". Depending on weather and water conditions there are some nice water rock slides, and a few pools you can jump from the cliffs into.

    Please pack out your trash. Because this hike is local and easy, there are many party people that frequent the area and leave their trash.

  • Panda V.
    Sep. 7, 2022

    Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8

    Great spot for dispersed camping

    First time headed out here and it was a great spot for a disconnected weekend. Trail was fun (definitely needed 4x4) and the sites around has good shade and good size open spots. Best to get there early as possible to secure a spot.

  • Andrew S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2024

    Angeles Crest Overlook to LA

    Not a campsite

    This is literally just a roadside pull-off. Only really useful in a pinch. No space for a tent. Sleep in your vehicle.

Guide to Universal City

Dispersed camping near Universal City, California requires travel to surrounding forest areas, typically 25-35 miles from the city center. Most sites lack basic facilities and necessitate self-sufficiency with food, water, and waste management. Fire restrictions change seasonally, with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection maintaining current restriction information for all nearby Angeles National Forest dispersed camping areas.

What to do

Hiking trails access: At Heaton Flats, visitors can use the camping area as a base for day hikes or backpacking trips. "I wouldn't feel comfortable setting up a tent here, but it could be an okay rest area at the beginning/end of the hike to Bridge to Nowhere," notes one visitor regarding the area's suitability for quick stops versus extended stays.

Waterfall exploration: Big Cone Camp offers access to natural water features. "From Big Cone Camp you can easily reach the waterfalls and pools that make this area known as the 'punch bowls'. Depending on weather and water conditions there are some nice water rock slides, and a few pools you can jump from the cliffs into," reports a camper familiar with the area.

Off-road vehicle trails: Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites provides access to off-road paths for those with appropriate vehicles. A visitor notes, "If you go to the end of 3N06 (main off-road path) there is a good hike that you can take for several hours." The combination of vehicle trails and hiking options creates multiple recreational possibilities at this location.

What campers like

Urban proximity with isolation: The Angeles Crest area provides relatively quick access from Universal City while offering forest surroundings. One camper at Angeles Crest Overlook states, "I loved car camping here! When I stayed, there were no other people who stayed the night, but quite a few people came throughout the night just for 20 minutes at a time or so. Wasn't too noisy at all."

Vehicle accessibility: Hare School Park provides parking lot camping options for those with vehicles. A visitor reports, "I've been here for a couple days and nobody's mess with us. There's other people that are staying in another parking lot attached that are homeless in their vehicles mostly cars and vans. I'm in a 25 foot Fleetwood RV."

Morning views: Several dispersed sites offer scenic morning perspectives. One Angeles Crest Overlook visitor comments, "This is just a few parking lots that overlook the valley and gives a view of the city skyline in the distance. Several others were also sleeping in their vehicles along the road and in the parking lots, so you won't be alone. The view is gorgeous in the morning sunrise!"

What you should know

Roadside safety concerns: Some overlook areas experience traffic and social activity throughout the night. A camper at Angeles Crest Overlook warns, "It's basically car camping along the Angeles Crest highway, there's small pull out spots and, some spots overlooking the forest but kids do tend to party up here and, drive about 100 miles a hour up and, down the road all hours of the night. It can get a bit scary, if you're alone."

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any free dispersed camping areas within driving distance of Universal City?

Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites 3-8 offers free dispersed camping within driving distance of Universal City. These sites require a 4x4 vehicle to access as they're located on rough terrain. The area provides a genuine off-grid experience with no facilities like water or restrooms. For a different option, Heaton Flats in the Angeles National Forest is also free, but verify current camping restrictions as the Forest Service sometimes limits dispersed camping to 7 days or less.

What is the closest dispersed camping to Universal City for visitors without reservations?

Big Cone Camp - Santa Paula Canyon is accessible without reservations, though it requires a hike through Thomas Aquinas College property, oil fields, and finally into Santa Paula Canyon. The trail has changed over time due to natural events, so check current conditions. For those seeking vehicle-accessible options, Aliklik Campground at Hungry Valley SVRA offers first-come, first-served sites with basic amenities like toilets and is suitable for larger vehicles, making it a practical choice for visitors without advance planning.

Where can I find dispersed camping options near Universal Studios Hollywood?

The Angeles National Forest offers several dispersed camping options within driving distance of Universal Studios Hollywood. Angeles Crest Overlook to LA provides roadside pull-offs with city skyline views, though it's primarily suited for vehicle camping rather than tents. While convenient, be aware that this area can get busy with visitors and occasional loud music in the evenings. Always check the Angeles National Forest website for current regulations, as dispersed camping rules can change seasonally.

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