Dispersed camping opportunities near Volcano, California provide free overnight accommodations in the El Dorado National Forest at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 7,500 feet. The region's pine forests and mountain terrain feature significant burn scars from the 2021 Caldor Fire. Winter camping requires proper equipment and sometimes snow park permits, while summer temperatures typically range from 45°F at night to 85°F during peak daytime hours.
What to do
Fishing access: Silver Fork River: Silver Fork River Camping offers established river sites with "paths down to the water with a little beach" as noted by SpentBrassOffroad B. Each site can accommodate about three camping units and includes stone fire pits.
Mountain biking trails: Various camping areas provide access to bike trails. One reviewer at Bear Valley Dispersed Camping mentioned "lots of trails to ride your bike and walk," making it a good base for day activities.
Star viewing sessions: Clear mountain skies make this area ideal for astronomy. At Scotts Lake Road Dispersed Camping, Alex P. advises visitors to "be careful of potholes and large puddles from rain, even in summer." For optimal star viewing, Josie H. found it "perfect for star gazing" with open areas away from light pollution.
Lake swimming: Union Valley Reservoir provides water recreation options during warmer months. Kristen M. notes "the lake is really warm in the summer" with "lots of Dispersed camping all the way around the lake."
What campers like
Sunset vantage points: Iron MT. Dispersed camping area receives consistent praise for its sunset views. According to Leo Y., "The ground is very flat and many areas are paved with gravel. At 7500 feet above sea level, the view is wide and the scenery is beautiful, especially the sunset view."
River proximity: Campers appreciate sites near flowing water. A reviewer at USFS Silver Fork Dispersed 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."
Cell connectivity: For those needing to stay connected, certain sites offer better service than others. At Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed, Michael S. reports "2 bars LTE of Verizon" while others note service is highly location-dependent.
Convenience: Raymond B. appreciated that USFS Silver Fork Dispersed has "a 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."
What you should know
Vehicle clearance requirements: Many dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. At Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed, Damien M. warns "Dirt road to get to spot is pretty rough but my Taurus wagon did just fine." Michael S. adds "The dirt road up is full of ruts and potholes, but my Toyota Yaris made it up."
Fire restrictions: Fire rules vary seasonally and by location. Orion B. found evidence of the Caldor Fire at Silver Fork: "Caldor Fire damage was evident everywhere, but this made it easy for my son to chop down a small dead tree that we used for firewood."
Camping permits: Some areas require permits. Alex from USFS Silver Fork Dispersed notes "You are required to have a permit for any day/overnight use in Eldorado, including this area. They can be easily acquired at recreation.gov."
Winter access limitations: Cold weather restricts access to some free camping near Volcano. Ted T. discovered Iron MT. Dispersed "was covered in snow, and there was a sign saying no camping in snow clearing conditions. Additionally you aren't allowed in without a Sno-park permit from November 1st to may 31st."
Tips for camping with families
Bring portable toilets: Most dispersed areas lack facilities. Orion B. at USFS Silver Fork Dispersed suggests "We brought a privacy shelter and portable camp toilet, and our own water. Those are really the only things you need that would normally be provided by a paid campsite."
Prepare for dust: Especially important with children. One camper at Top of Arnold noted "Only downside is the ground is basically dust dirt. My dogs love it, my bedding doesn't!"
Bug management: Pack appropriate insect repellent. At Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping, Julia H. warns of "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."
Educational opportunities: The burn areas provide teaching moments about forest ecology. Steve M. observed at Mormon Emigrant Trail Dispersed Pull Off that "Unfortunately there was a massive fire here and there is nothing to look at but burned out trees."
Tips from RVers
Large rig accessibility: Several areas accommodate bigger rigs. Susan L. shares her experience at Scotts Lake Rd: "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."
Leveling challenges: Flat spots are at a premium. At Packsaddle Pass - El Dorado National Forest Dispersed, Danny R. recommends: "Not sure it would be a good location if it's been raining" due to potential soft ground issues.
Arrival timing: Weekday arrival significantly improves site selection. Susan L. notes arriving "on a Monday at noon" at Scotts Lake Road provided "our choice of several places to set up" for their large RV setup.
