Top Free Dispersed Camping near Warner Springs, CA

If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Warner Springs, look no further. Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. Find dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots from other campers.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Warner Springs, CA (27)

Showing results 1-10 of 27 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Warner Springs

69 Reviews of 27 Warner Springs Campgrounds


  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South Ridge Yellow Post Sites
    Sep. 27, 2024

    South Ridge Yellow Post Sites

    Awesome dispersed site with amazing views

    Very nice to find a campsite this private on a weekend in southern California elevation is high enough that temperatures were very enjoyable (mid 80's)

  • Gabriel S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Creek Road Camp
    Sep. 15, 2024

    Pine Creek Road Camp

    Nice quick and easy getaway

    Quite easy to get to. I drive an Acura RDX and had no problems (I actually had a lot of fun driving the road). 

    There were way more flies than we were expecting. Prepare to get swarmed. Luckily just gnats and no mosquitoes from what we experienced.

    We applied for a permit on Friday and did not get it by Saturday when we departed. Luckily, no rangers patrolled during our stay.

    Some spots with good shade.

  • dThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Creek Road Camp
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Pine Creek Road Camp

    Peaceful and secluded

    A great spot if you want to get away and enjoy some alone time. It’s a little warm in the day in august this time of year so you can’t hike around or explore too much. My girlfriend and I stopped in Julian on our way out to get a late lunch and then head to the campsite. The road is paved until you turn off Lone Creek Road and then it is a dirt road. I have a stock Rav4 and it was able to drive on it although there are a few spots you need to be careful at so you don’t scrape the bottom of your car. We only spent one night but we never saw another person during our stay

  • Rose  D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Valley
    Aug. 9, 2024

    Blair Valley

    Quiet

    Peaceful dispersed campground. Wide open great views. Didn’t even know I had neighbors until I walked around in the morning and saw neighboring campers over the hill. Clear skies when I went back in November, could get pretty windy. Saw some coyotes pass by my camp.

  • anna I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Kitchen Creek Road
    Jul. 10, 2024

    Kitchen Creek Road

    Decent spot to stop

    Pretty small spot off the road, does get kind of loud from cars but overall a decent and clean spots

  • Carter M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Valley
    May. 30, 2024

    Blair Valley

    Beautiful area but lots of bugs

    Here in late May and the bees and other bugs have been nonstop on me the whole time I've been here. It's a really beautiful area and the spots are spacious

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Creek Road Camp
    May. 27, 2024

    Pine Creek Road Camp

    Dispersed Camping

    This was a last minute Memorial Day weekend trip with my boyfriend and 2 dogs. Friday sent an email to SM.FS.DescansoRD@usda.gov requesting the free permit (after doing research and finding out you need one), filled out the form, and got it back in the same day. Easy to get there, easy directions once there just make you pass the sign that says leaving the recreation area after that you can find any spot and camp. It was a little bumpy but nothing too bad. Drove with my jeep renegade that isn’t a 4wheel drive. A little busy due to the holiday but not too bad. Cyclist riding by, vehicles, and hikers. Which was nice saying hi. Hardly any service for my carrier which is T-Mobile. Definitely will camp out here again.

  • Anne M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Valley
    May. 7, 2024

    Blair Valley

    Great weeknight spot

    Visited early May. Arrived right before sunset, there were people close to the bathrooms, but lots of space to spread out if you drive a little.

  • Dickie Simmons  S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Valley
    Apr. 29, 2024

    Blair Valley

    Great off grid camping w/ easy access

    Easy access to most designated campsites. Enjoy the changing colors at dusk. My area had 2 bars of verizion service.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Box Canyon Dispersed
    Apr. 18, 2024

    Box Canyon Dispersed

    Sweet spot

    Pretty sandy - would recommend 4wd but i suspect you could get in without. got my jeep deep into the canyon between coachella weekends and was the only person there.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Yaqui Wash
    Apr. 14, 2024

    Yaqui Wash

    If you just want to get outdoors...

    There are a bunch of campsites along a service road that is parallel to a main road, several hundred feet away. This whole area is essentially within one valley, so you have mountains on both sides. It is well vegetated and allows for fairly easy hikes up the soft slopes.

    The parking spots are right alongside the road, so for van camping is not so great, but tents can be put away from the road and therefore it's much more suitable for tenting.

    The stretch of dirt road closest to the main road is Sandy, but manageable bull in a two wheel drive. This is where most of the campsites are. Further along the road, there are fewer camp sites, so they are more dispersed, however the road becomes more rocky and jutted, but for those wanting a bit more privacy, this is the spot to be.

    I would like to come back in camp in this location. So i'm going to mark it to return another time.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Yaqui Pass Camp
    Apr. 14, 2024

    Yaqui Pass Camp

    Easy stop if you need, otherwise keep driving

    Drove in..., drove out. As another review noted, it's a big parking lot. Fine if you just need a place to pull over, nothing of value there..., maybe proximity to a hiking trail.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Kitchen Creek Road
    Feb. 4, 2024

    Kitchen Creek Road

    Decent. Tough time of the year

    Could be maintained. Went during a very rainy season. So it could definitely be attributed to the time of year. Will be another opportunity in the future.

  • Mary B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Valley
    Dec. 28, 2023

    Blair Valley

    Serenity

    We arrived passed 10pm on the dirt road with no other campers. Beautiful site in a quiet location with endless views and there’s no fee. Who could ask for more?

  • Sarah M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Box Canyon Dispersed
    Dec. 2, 2023

    Box Canyon Dispersed

    Deep sand, close to busy road side.

    This is ideally a good spot, but the sand is way too deep to get far enough off of the road.

  • Sarah M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Mecca Hills Wilderness
    Dec. 2, 2023

    Mecca Hills Wilderness

    4x4 required, super deep sand

    Drove up this road thinking it would be okay, but as I got closer to the location, the sand got deeper. At night it was especially hard to see. Any of the roads going off the main road were too deep with sand to get into without getting stuck. Had to turn around and ended up parking closer to JT park.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Painted Canyon
    Nov. 26, 2023

    Painted Canyon

    Absolutely stunning & so much fun

    This place should be part of the park system. Stunning diversity in color and rock formations. If you hike to the top of the loop, you’ll not only feel like you’ve accomplished something special, but you’ll also get to see the rock formations and vegetation change with elevation. In the higher points of the hikes, you can see the Salton Sea from afar. Absolutely stunning at sunrise and sunset.

  • s E.
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Valley
    May. 11, 2023

    Blair Valley

    Great campground

    AT&T: 1-2 bar signal. First time to go out camping in the desert. I’m so glad it was at this location! So spacious, beautiful views. It’s quiet, clean, just very peaceful.

  • Karin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Valley
    May. 7, 2023

    Blair Valley

    Beautiful and spacious

    Favorite free campsite so far. Free for 30 days, pack in pack out, there are pit toilets near the entrance, no liter removal or water. Horses and dogs allowed. Beautiful views and trails. There are quite a few bees though, other than that, loved it.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Peg Leg Dispersed
    Apr. 22, 2023

    Peg Leg Dispersed

    Boondocking at Anza Borrego State Park

    Anza Borrego Desert SP allows dispersed camping in certain areas of the park, and this is one of them.  I tried to find it on the website, but found no mention of allowed camping in the park.  However, it's listed in the visitor guide you can get from the visitor center.

    The reviews on The Dyrt for the camping area directly across the street to the north of this section mentioned that there will be a campground built and fees charged in the near future, but I don’t think that’s the case for this side of the street. There was no signage or any signs of development here on this corner. Just lots of boondockers tucked in among all the shrubs, plenty of room for everyone. 

    I could see this area getting annoying with ATVers on the weekends, but there were none when we were there mid week in April. A couple of obvious sketchy long termers there, with heaps of junk and posted signage to stay away, which wasn’t a problem as there was plenty of space to stay far away from them. 

    Good cell service and beautiful sunrise. 

    Watch for nails and broken glass.:(



Guide to Warner Springs

Camping near Warner Springs, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. Many campers enjoy the hiking opportunities, with one reviewer from William Heise County Park mentioning, "The hiking trails were great for exploring and getting some exercise."
  • Fishing: If you love fishing, check out Lake Hemet Campground. A visitor shared, "The campground is clean and the fishing is good, most of the time."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A camper at William Heise County Park noted, "Other common animals are wild turkey, gray fox, bobcats, raccoons, and the occasional mountain lion."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One reviewer at Lake Jennings said, "Bathrooms and showers are clean."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors mention the helpfulness of the staff. A camper at Dos Picos County Park remarked, "This is a very well-run county park."
  • Scenic Views: Campgrounds like Borrego Palm Canyon Campground offer stunning views. A visitor shared, "The stars at night are gorgeous! You can spend hours just staring up at the sky."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get busy and noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Lake Hemet Campground mentioned, "It can get a little loud on the weekends with drunk party-goers."
  • Limited Privacy: Many sites are close together, which can affect privacy. A visitor at Lake Skinner Recreation Area noted, "The sites face each other and are very small. Privacy isn't an option."
  • No Swimming: Some lakes are reservoirs and do not allow swimming. A camper at Dixon Lake Campground pointed out, "You can’t swim in the lake to cool off at all."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and splash pads. A reviewer at Lake Skinner Recreation Area said, "It's a very family-friendly park with a splash pad and playground for kids."
  • Space for Tents: Choose sites that offer enough room for tents. A camper at Lake Jennings mentioned, "Spaces are good size and plenty of room in between the next site."
  • Plan for Noise: Be prepared for some noise, especially on weekends. A visitor at Lake Hemet Campground noted, "There's not a lot of campground etiquette either."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at William Heise County Park mentioned, "A more experienced human might not have struggled as much but it be hard to get a 20 ft plus trailer into this particular site."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check the campground features. A visitor at Lake Jennings said, "There are several roads around the dump station but only one that takes you in straight."
  • Be Mindful of Traffic: Some campgrounds can have heavy traffic. A camper at Lake Hemet Campground noted, "The amount of vehicle traffic to and from the marina and boat launch was bearable but I wish the drivers would pay attention to speed limits."

Camping near Warner Springs, California, has something for everyone. Whether you’re into hiking, fishing, or just relaxing under the stars, you’ll find a spot that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Warner Springs, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Warner Springs, CA is Peg Leg Dispersed with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Warner Springs, CA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 27 dispersed camping locations near Warner Springs, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.