Best Dispersed Camping near Yosemite National Park

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.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Yosemite National Park (60)

    1. Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    40 Reviews
    Fish Camp, CA
    16 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."

    2. Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping

    12 Reviews
    Fish Camp, CA
    16 miles

    "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."

    "Here is the correct location. You can take a dirt road from this parking lot in order to camp in the woods.

    Dropped pin https://goo.gl/maps/2gskCbuY8XRMD82x5"

    3. Hardin Flat Road

    15 Reviews
    Eastman Lake, CA
    20 miles

    "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."

    "Great spot a little farther up Hardin Flat Rd. I am parked across from a private drive so I can turn around with my RV if needed."

    4. Dewey Point Backcountry Site — Yosemite National Park

    1 Review
    Yosemite Valley, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 372-0200

    $5 - $10 / night

    "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 !"

    5. Evergreen Rd Dispersed camping

    3 Reviews
    Eastman Lake, CA
    18 miles

    "Great little spot within 10 minutes of one Yosemite’s entrance. Spaces for a few different campsites"

    "Took us about 9 min to get to the park entrance. Now that we know about this spot we will definitely use this area again. We'll just make sure we get there earlier."

    6. Hardin flat dispersed

    1 Review
    Mather, CA
    19 miles

    "Very nice and quiet spot, very close to Yosemite entrance, ideal if you weren't able to get a reservation."

    7. Mono Lake South Dispersed

    16 Reviews
    Lee Vining, CA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 873-2400

    "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! "

    8. Inyo National Forest Dispersed Camping

    13 Reviews
    June Lake, CA
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 873-2400

    "You can get maps for this area at some of the information boards at the beginning of the dirt roads, they also have an app that will show you all the roads in the area."

    "We boondocked in Inyo National Forest just last weekend, September 27-29, and it felt like we had the place to ourselves."

    9. Scenic Loop - Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Mammoth Lakes, CA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 924-5500

    "Got here on Sunday - plenty of spots to park the camper van both Sunday and Monday. Multiple turn offs on the Scenic Loop road to camp at. No bathrooms, water, electricity, or fire rings."

    "As you drive along this road, every 10 seconds you will pass a dirt road. Each dirt road has multiple campsites!"

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Yosemite National Park

216 Reviews of 60 Yosemite National Park Campgrounds


  • Thomas K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2020

    Crab Cooker Hotsprings - Dispersed Camping

    Private hotspring with mountain views

    4x4 or high clearance coming in. Long dirt road with dips and rocks. Water only flowing in winter months. Lots of tent camping spots along with 8 back in spots. Really amazing views 360 degrees. No service with Verizon.

  • Val C.
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Leavitt Lake

    Not Accessible by Car

    I have a truck. i got about a half mile in before the snow washed out the road. you can still hike in. high clearance and 4wd a must

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2021

    Sage Hen Dispersed

    Beautiful, near Mono Lake

    The dirt road into this spot off of Hwy 120 is washboarded but doable. This spot is at an intersection of forest service road 1S158A and Sage Hen Rd. There was still snow on the dirt road at this time of year (in mid April) so be aware,  and there are also low hanging branches that might make it tough for taller rigs. 

    This spot is a large flat area with zero amenities so bring water and pack in and pack out. 

    Good for a night or two if you want to hike or bike along the plethora of forest service roads. There were signs on the way in for both free range cattle and horses, but we didn't see any.

     Cell service with Verizon, weak but usable.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 9, 2021

    Mono Lake South Dispersed

    Beautiful view of Mono Lake

    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). Note there are multiple pull out areas and forest service roads to stay in along Hwy 120 east just be mindful that the entire area is sand, as some vehicles may get stuck.

    The road into these spots is quite sandy and narrow in some places, but we did fine in our 26' Class C. There is a very large previously burned area with charred remains of plants and trees but it made for some interesting eerie photos. Very quiet place with amazing views and stunning night sky. There are no amenities so bring water and pack in and pack out all trash. Nearby are various hikes and other roads to the range of craters in the area and the tufas along Mono Lake.

    We stayed there on a Monday night and did not see anybody else around, other than a truck that drove past our camp spot in the night.  Very quiet night.

    Good cell reception from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.

    Note that Google Maps said that Hwy 120 is closed Oct through May and would not direct us to this area via that road, but the road was open in April 2021, probably due to the mild winter.  Check Hwy 120 conditions for yourself because without it you miss out on so much beautiful area to explore.

  • Val C.
    Jul. 3, 2023

    Mono Basin Dispersed Camp Site

    Epic

    Came up here in July. It gets warm during the day, but there is a good breeze during the day. And an even better breeze at night. lots of bugs. bring bug spray. 4wd not required, but might help. High clearance will help.

  • Nora S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2020

    Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed

    Never seen anything like this before!

    So I was hesitant to write a review because I didn’t want this place to have any more visitors than it already does..! It was an amazing experience overall and we can’t wait to come back. The address on google maps however DOES NOT lead to the camping destination but we ended up running into a couple of ATV’ers that led us in the right direction. It’s actually off the highway before where the maps lead you and there is a sign that says Travertine Hot Springs. Having arrived at night, we were very glad to have met the locals that were helpful in showing us the way! So once you turn off the highway, you follow a dirt road that leads you straight to the springs. We ended up turning off and heading up a pretty rough road to find a spot on top of a canyon looking hill to camp. We were looking for seclusion and we definitely got it! The view was amazing from up top, and in the morning with a quick 5 minute drive we changed into our bathing suits and went for an early morning “nature hot tub swim”. The springs are hot but not boiling, and we spent an hour soaking there with absolutely no worries in the world. Definitely an amazing stay, and absolutely no hesitation to go back!

  • Dave V.
    Sep. 13, 2018

    Gladys Lake Backcountry, Ansel Adams Wilderness

    Breathtaking Beauty!

    RANGER REVIEW: Mountain House Spaghetti with Meat Sauce at Gladys Lake Backcountry Campsites, Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA

    CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Gladys Lake Backcountry Campsite, Ansel Adams Wilderness

    Backcountry camping often offers great hiking, epic scenery, serene solitude and otherwise missed sights. Depending on location, backcountry campsite locations can offer their own challenges, whether through the permitting process, preparation of gear and meals, logistics, or difficult terrain…but the trade offs can pay out big dividends.

    Leaving behind the din of packed campgrounds…getting unplugged from electronic encumbrances…relaxing beside an untouched alpine lake where the only sound you hear is the whir of dragonfly wings as they dart about.

    Only a set number of backcountry permits are issued daily, so crowds and impact remain minimal to nonexistent.

    Permits are necessary for all backcountry overnight stays in the Inyo National Forest. https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/inyo/passes-permits

    Whenever backcountry hiking/camping in California, do yourself a service and go online https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/passes-permits/?cid=stelprdb5139009 and take the California Campfire Permit test to acquire your certificate and possess it when in the backcountry.

    Several ways to get to Gladys Lake exist…

    1. John Muir Trail (JMT) thru-hike permits NOBO or SOBO

    2. John Muir Trail section hike permits

    3. Wilderness Permits Day hike permits

    You could enter from Reds Meadows and follow the JMT north to Gladys Lake…or better from Agnew Meadows and follow the Shadow Creek Trail (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=21272&actid=51 ) up and around Shadow Lake and then south on the JMT past Rosalie Lake to Gladys Lake. Each access trail has a daily quota…such as Shadow Creek, which has a daily quota of 30…18 secured through reservation and 12 walk-ups. So if you are choosing to walk-up, have some flexibility of starting days.

    We had a JMT SOBO permit acquired six months in advance through the NPS permit lottery. But next visit, I will likely enter through Agnew Meadows via day permit.

    Most hikers will stop and camp at Rosalie Lake, which is a wonderful option and a much larger lake. Some would suggest a more picturesque lake than Gladys Lake…but that is all in the eye of the beholder.

    August of 2018 saw little precipitation and the winter snowfall was below expectations, so lake water levels were lower and surrounding shoreline not marshy or soggy. Which made for dry and mosquito free conditions.

    The effects of local forest fires did cover surrounding mountain views during certain times of the day, and brought with it a bit of lung burning and eye stinging. Early morning and late evening hours brought clearer skies.

    Be forewarned that seemingly every backcountry campsite brings with it a steep uphill slog, but worth it. Gladys Lake is at 9600 ft elevation.

    I believe there was one other camper at Gladys Lake the night we stayed…but we neither heard nor saw them. It was a perfectly peaceful evening!

    Amenities? Well, no showers…no toilets…no water spigots…no electricity…no picnic tables…one lonely stone fire ring but open fires are not permitted. No cell service or WiFi…no general store or local grocery store. However, Gladys Lake water was refreshing both to wade and drink (filtered). You are surrounded by fragrant conifers that buffer sound. A perfectly peaceful location to relax and dream.

    PRODUCT REVIEW: Mountain House Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

    https://www.mountainhouse.com/

    As a frequent user of Mountain House freezes dried dinners, and being a creature of habit, I often settle into a couple favorite meals and don’t deviate to new offerings. Mundane and boring?…perhaps.

    But…after winning $100 worth of Mountain House meals through an early season TheDyrt.com contest… and with my daughter as my hiking buddy, I selected several different meals to avoid mutiny.

    One of these meal pouches was Mountain House’s Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.

    I admit, I was a little suspect as to how freeze-dried spaghetti with meat sauce would taste, but we were both very pleased with the sauce flavors, seasoning and the amount of meat in the sauce. The only thing I would add is a couple slices of toasted garlic bread.

    If the next rotation of Mountain House Spaghetti with Meat Sauce was easily located in our bear canisters, we would’ve likely had a second helping…but sadly, it was not.

    In pairing down weight before our backcountry hike, I removed the contents from Mountain House’s original packaging and utilized a commercial vacuum sealer to make smaller, lighter meal packs as 11 days of food needed to fit in a bear canister. It worked, but the distinct drawback was not being able to prepare the meal in the resealable pouch. A pot was necessary to allow the freeze-dried contents to soak in the boiling water. So clean up was more extensive than it would’ve been by using the Mountain House resealable pouch. It was a trade off and we made it work.

    If you are new to Mountain House freeze dried meals, directions are printed plain and simple on the pouch.

    •Measure out the prescribed amount of water

    •boil water

    •open meal pouch and remove moisture packet

    •pour boiling water in pouch and stir contents thoroughly

    •seal pouch for prescribed time

    •open pouch and stir contents

    •serve and enjoy

    It doesn’t get any easier.

  • S E.
    Jul. 13, 2021

    Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed

    Quiet & Secluded

    I loved camping here. There’s a few spots off the road that leads into the hot springs, before you hit the sign that says no camping. Just pull onto one of the dirt roads on the left and find a spot! Any car or smaller RV could easily drive the road.

    There was no one else there when I was camped there, and as a solo female traveler I felt extremely safe. It was quiet and secluded, beautiful, yet only 10 minutes off of 395, less than a mile from the hot spring, and I had full LTE cell reception (verizon).

    There are rock fire rings that previous campers have made if you’re going to be here when camp fires are allowed. There’s no other amenities such as picnic tables or a bathroom, water, or garbage collection - this is free dispersed camping, so be prepared to be self-sufficient: pack out what you bring in and leave no trace!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2023

    Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed

    Incredible location, amazing views, hot springs!!

    Road was accessible for us in a Toyota Tacoma, but a Camry also made it up. It was a little crowded in the area we stayed (with 4 other caravans and trailers), as the other dirt road giving access to different campsites was more for high clearance vehicles (very steep and uneven). Hot springs in walking distance. Incredible views of the mountains. We would definitely stay here again. No waste services or restrooms, but a vault toilet was available at the hot springs less than a mile away. Would visit again!


Guide to Yosemite National Park

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Yosemite National Park, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. These spots offer a unique experience, allowing you to enjoy the serenity of the wilderness while being just a stone's throw away from one of America's most iconic national parks.

Scenic Views for Dispersed Campers

  • Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site provides a picturesque setting with plenty of trees for privacy and shade, making it a favorite among visitors looking for a peaceful retreat. Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
  • Hardin Flat Road is known for its spacious pull-outs and proximity to Yosemite, allowing campers to enjoy stunning views while being just minutes away from park entrances. Hardin Flat Road
  • Dewey Point Backcountry Site offers breathtaking vistas of El Capitan and the valley, making it an ideal spot for those seeking iconic scenery in a backcountry setting. Dewey Point Backcountry Site — Yosemite National Park

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Yosemite National Park, California

  • Many dispersed camping areas, like Yosemite “Boondock National,” are free and do not require permits, making them accessible for spontaneous trips. Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping
  • Be prepared for limited amenities; for instance, Kamook Staging Camp has no toilets or drinking water, so bring everything you need for a comfortable stay. Kamook Staging Camp
  • Mosquitoes can be a nuisance in some areas, such as Goat Meadow, so pack insect repellent to ensure a more enjoyable experience. Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Yosemite National Park

  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the trails accessible from Hardin Flat Road, which lead to various scenic spots within Yosemite National Park. Hardin Flat Road
  • Fishing and swimming opportunities abound at Gladys Lake Backcountry, where you can enjoy the tranquility of the water surrounded by nature. Gladys Lake Backcountry, Ansel Adams Wilderness
  • For those looking to explore on two wheels, the trails around Kamook Staging Camp are popular for ATV riding, providing a thrilling way to experience the landscape. Kamook Staging Camp

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.