Dispersed camping near Yosemite National Park requires careful planning and self-sufficiency for campers looking to stay outside developed campgrounds. The Forest Service land surrounding Fish Camp has several primitive spots without any facilities. You'll need to bring all your water, supplies, and pack out everything when you leave. Most dispersed sites have rules about camping at least 100 feet from water sources and roads to protect the environment. The park limits stays to 14 days in any one spot. Many of the dirt roads leading to good camping areas get rough after rain, so higher clearance vehicles help, especially in spring. The roads to higher elevation camping spots typically close with the first heavy snowfall and don't reopen until late spring. Summer can get extremely hot in lower elevations, making May and September better months for dispersed camping. Bears and other wildlife are common around Yosemite, so storing food properly is absolutely necessary. Fire restrictions change throughout the year based on conditions - always check before your trip as summer bans are common. Areas like what locals call "Boondock National" (forest land outside park boundaries) give you more solitude than the park's developed campgrounds. Before heading out, check with the ranger station in Groveland or Oakhurst for current road conditions and any special regulations. The twenty-minute drive from most dispersed sites to the nearest gas or groceries means planning ahead is essential.
"Excellent spot 7 min from the Yosemite South Wawona Entrance. Im staying at a dispersed camping spot in late July and there is level, paved parking with tent camping spots."
"The site is right outside Yosemite National park. It is perfect for car camping as it is a large parking lot. There is a dumpster and it’s fantastic for viewing the stars."
"Access road isn’t bad and it’s close to the park."
"I stayed to car camp and had an overall nice time. There was a good amount of ice but with 4x4 not problem. The ice was melting so if you go anytime after the snow should be a lot less."
"Nestled amongst trees right on the edge of Yosemite. Was quite busy when I was there but managed to find a quiet spot tucked away & private."
"GPS will take you straight to Goat meadow snow play area (look for signs too). Once you reach the area hang right to the dirt road and pick a spot!"
"Booked a last minute permit for the Pohono trail on a recent trip and had Dewey Point as one of my camp sites! Beautiful views of el cap and the valley made for an iconic back country spot !"
from $5 - $10 / night
"Did an impromptu visit for 3 days and just van camped in this forest road. Works great if you can deal with driving in and out. Good camping spots here and there, tons of overnight parking areas."
"Firstly, the spots aren’t actually on Evergreen; they’re on an easily missed dirt road near Aspen Valley Rd."
"Hard and flat Road right by a little stream where we could park our 22-ft van with a bike trailer. Our dog could run around free. We enjoyed a quiet evening."
"Very nice and quiet spot, very close to Yosemite entrance, ideal if you weren't able to get a reservation."
"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! "
"And an even better breeze at night. lots of bugs. bring bug spray. 4wd not required, but might help. High clearance will help."
"Several spots available along the forest service road, even arriving after 7pm. Some spots are spacious, others only fit something small like a camper van (what we got)."
"Our Tacoma made it to the campsites toward the back of the grounds just fine, but there was access closer to the main road for vehicles without high clearance."
"Multiple locations near by not listed. It gets a bit dusty and windy. Lots of off road vehicles. All the camper vans rolled in after dark and it filled up quick."
TravelerThe 0.5 mile gravel road has washboards and potholes but it’s short and offers at least a handful of pullouts for flat parking/camping. There’s nothing around except high desert views of the mountains and nearby hot springs. The signs indicate a 14-day camping limit.
ScoutFirst spot with a 22 feet TT. No problem, amazing view
GuideLoads of space! Not many people here in October. Park lot had two trailers and the trail to the right is wide open with numerous pullouts. Lots of great trails around for the dogs.
GuideThis is actually a really nice free dispersed camping site. Once you get to the Goat Meadows sign if you go left you will find a large parking lot with bathrooms. There were probably ten rigs or so jst camping up on the parking lot. If you go right down the hill you will find multiple dispersed camping sites. They are a little obscure, but some have nice fire rings that let you know it’s a site. They are very well spaced so even when you have neighbors you will hardly see or hear them. At the top of the hill where you go left or right was a camp host looking site but not sure if it is actually, but there was a camper there with a bumper pull trailer who uses a very loud shop type cheap generator that you can literally hear all over the area. Luckily, he turned it off about 10pm but started it up around 8am. If it weren’t for him probably would have given this site five stars. Also, T-Mobile and ATT both had zero cell service our phones were both on SOS but that really wasn’t a problem for us.
RangerNot even sure i found the exact place. Go through a little neighborhood an come to a gravel road. Found a little turn around an spent the night. Didnt see anyone. Cell coverage enough to get texts.
GuideWe came here in October and had no issues finding a spot. We stayed in the parking lot but there are also more remote spots if you continue to the right that are suitable for vans, truck campers, and tents. This area is only minutes from the west entrance to Yosemite and Mariposa Grove and 40 minutes from the valley. The parking lot is big-rig friendly but could fill up quick during the summer. There are on-site vault toilets and dumpsters.
GuideI've camped here several times in the last few months and it got real busy over holiday periods. Now, the first week of October, it is wonderful. I have a beautiful camping spot and it's really quiet, hardly anyone coming by in the day. In summer months it can get tedious with off road vehicles creating dust and noise. But there are so many places to camp here - depending on the size of your set-up and how far you're willing to leave the main road. There's no facilities here, pack it in and pack it out. Let's keep this place beautiful!
TravelerA small gravel lot good for car camping. Little to no privacy as it’s more or less just a big circle. Beautiful view back down the canyon.
GuideCrab Cooker seems to be empty or cold about as often as it’s functioning. While I was camping nearby, I often went on to Shepard due to Crab Cooker conditions.
The parking lot is City of LA, no overnight parking. But just before you pass the property of LA sign there’s a stellar camping loop to the right.
Dispersed camping sites near Yosemite National Park typically sit at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between day and night even in summer months. The forest service land surrounding the park includes Sierra National Forest to the south and Stanislaus National Forest to the west, with most primitive sites accessible via dirt roads off Highways 120 and 41. Vehicle accessibility varies dramatically depending on recent weather conditions and seasonal closures.
Morning hikes from camp: At Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site, campers can easily access trails without driving to the park entrance. "Beautiful scenery, clean, close to Yosemite, and easy to reach. As others have said, follow Mount Raymond Rd up until you see the sign for the snow play area, and look to the right," explains Derrick H.
Access less crowded areas: Camping at Hardin Flat Road positions you for exploring the park's northwestern sections. "Great little spot close to Yosemite with really spread out spots. Couldn't even see your neighbor and the vicinity to the park made it perfect," notes Bobby J., who appreciates the seclusion despite hearing some road noise.
Paddling opportunities: For water activities, consider staying at Mono Lake South Dispersed, where you can launch kayaks at sunrise. Randel M. advises, "I was close enough to Navy Beach to launch my kayak at sunrise, when the water is dead-calm. Ocean-type squalls can flare up with no warning, because of the wide-open desert terrain."
Quick park access: The proximity to park entrances makes Hardin Flat Dispersed particularly convenient. Jahro M. confirms it's a "Very nice and quiet spot, very close to Yosemite entrance, ideal if you weren't able to get a reservation."
Natural separation between sites: The terrain at many dispersed locations provides natural privacy. At Hardin Flat Road, miranda explains, "Lots of available spots along Hardin Flat Road, most with good shade. Passed 10-15 pull out spots for car campers, and at least 10 more easily accessible spots for tents."
Wildlife viewing: Primitive camping often brings opportunities to spot wildlife. Alexander Mark C. shares his experience at Goat Meadow: "Coyotes and bears are active in the area—coyotes raided a bag I had hanging from a tree and stole my food!" This underscores the importance of proper food storage.
Seasonal considerations: Winter snow affects accessibility at higher elevations. "The elevation at the site is appx 5200, meaning it will get snow in the winter(ish) months. When I was there recently, some of the 'campsites' had 0-3", whereas other spots were about 6-8"," reports Alexander Mark C. about Yosemite "Boondock National" Dispersed Camping.
Weekend crowding: Holiday weekends see significantly more traffic at all dispersed sites. Katelin M. observed at Goat Meadow: "This place gets CROWDED. At 5:30 it's like everyone got off work and headed home, it's nuts. Everyone picks up after themselves which is nice."
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies widely based on exact location. Martin A. noted during his April visit to Hardin Flat Road: "No bear boxes or bathrooms but very safe and easy to access." Meanwhile, at Mono Lake South, Laura M. found "Good cell reception from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile."
Spacing between campsites: For families needing privacy, Evergreen Rd Dispersed camping offers suitable spacing. Mason M. notes it has "Great little spot within 10 minutes of one Yosemite's entrance. Spaces for a few different campsites."
Arrival timing: Plan to arrive during daylight hours to find suitable spots. Melissa M. advises: "We got in a lil late and was a little tricky finding a spot. But once we did, it was perfect. Took us about 9 min to get to the park entrance."
Managing expectations: Primitive camping means no facilities. The Goat Meadow site has trash cans at the snow park but no bathrooms, according to Katelin M. For families with young children, this requires additional planning for bathroom breaks and waste disposal.
Road condition assessment: Before driving in with an RV, evaluate road conditions carefully. Josh P. shares about Evergreen Rd: "Firstly, the spots aren't actually on Evergreen; they're on an easily missed dirt road near Aspen Valley Rd. There are two spots at the end of the very short road - each with a fire pit and ample space."
Specific RV access points: At Scenic Loop Dispersed Camping - Eastside, Robert H. advises: "Nice flat spots along the Scenic Bypass road (not just where the map says). More secluded spots up the hill. The dirt hill road is fairly decent, but no medium+ to large rigs."
Level ground requirements: Finding level spots is essential for RVs. Ty P. notes that at Goat Meadow, there's "Plenty of space for all vehicle sizes. Roads are very accessible."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is BLM land for free camping near Yosemite?
Free BLM and Forest Service land for camping can be found east of Yosemite near Mono Lake. Mono Lake South Dispersed offers free camping on USFS and BLM land surrounding the lake, provided you stay above the marked 1941 water line. Multiple pull-out areas and forest service roads along Highway 120 east provide camping opportunities. Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site is another option in this area with accessible terrain for most vehicles, though high clearance helps navigate some sections. This area gets warm during summer days but offers good breezes. Be prepared for bugs by bringing insect repellent. As with all dispersed camping, pack out all trash and follow Leave No Trace principles.
What are the best areas for boondocking near Yosemite National Park?
Yosemite "Boondock National" Dispersed Camping offers excellent boondocking opportunities right on the edge of the park. The site features tree cover for privacy, though access roads can be bumpy. Both camper vans and some larger rigs can find suitable spots here. For those seeking a unique boondocking experience, Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed offers camping with natural hot springs access. Located north of Yosemite, the area has several accessible camping spots off the main road before reaching the no-camping signs. Most passenger vehicles can navigate the access road, though some areas are better suited for high-clearance vehicles. Remember that boondocking requires self-sufficiency - bring all necessary water, pack out waste, and follow fire regulations.
Where can I find dispersed camping near Yosemite National Park?
Several dispersed camping options exist on national forest land surrounding Yosemite. Sage Hen Dispersed off Highway 120 offers accessible sites with some seasonal considerations like snow in spring. The dirt road is washboarded but manageable for most vehicles. Hardin Flat Road provides additional drive-in dispersed camping opportunities near the park's western entrance. When dispersed camping, remember the standard 14-day maximum stay limit applies in most areas, pack out all trash, and be prepared for fire restrictions during summer months. Most sites require some clearance for vehicles, though accessibility varies by location. Always check current forest service regulations before your trip as conditions and restrictions change seasonally.
Is dispersed camping allowed within Yosemite National Park?
Dispersed camping is not permitted within Yosemite National Park outside of designated wilderness areas. In Yosemite's wilderness backcountry, camping is allowed but requires a wilderness permit and must follow strict regulations. Dewey Point Backcountry Site is one example of a designated backcountry site accessible by hiking trails. For true dispersed camping (no facilities, choose-your-own-site camping), you must go outside park boundaries to surrounding national forest lands. Laurel Springs Campground is one such option outside the park boundary, offering dispersed sites suitable for smaller vehicles and tents. When wilderness camping within Yosemite, follow all regulations including proper food storage, minimum distances from water sources, and established trails and campsites.
Keep Exploring
