Dirt bikers and trail riders frequent the forest roads around Top of Arnold, making this dispersed site in Stanislaus National Forest a reasonable base for those who want motorized recreation alongside their camping. The area sits within mixed conifer forest, with flat spots suitable for parking and tent setup, and enough open terrain to catch sun for solar charging. No facilities exist here at all: no toilets, no water, no trash service.
Road access is the defining variable. Reviewers have reached the site in vehicles as modest as a Toyota Yaris and a Ford Taurus wagon, though the dirt road involves ruts, potholes, and sections rough enough that trailers and low-clearance vehicles are not recommended. The road closes seasonally from December 15 through April 15 due to snow, so shoulder season visits in fall and late spring tend to work best. Verizon users typically see two to three bars of LTE service on site.
Campsites sit close to the road, and a few existing rock fire rings are scattered through the area. Noise from dirt bikes, chainsaws, and occasional target shooting has been noted by multiple reviewers, though none reported it as sustained. Kevin C. described it as "a very secluded primitive site that is only a couple miles or less to town." Campers looking for more developed alternatives nearby can find Calaveras Big Trees State Park Campground a few miles to the east. Obtain a Cal Fire permit before building any fire, and carry a water bucket and shovel.
Description
Dispersed camping takes a lot more effort than camping in a developed campground, but for those with an adventurous spirit, it can be a lot of fun.
Here are some important points to remember about dispersed camping:
The maximum length of stay in a forest ranger district is 21 days per year. Please practice good outdoor ethics about camping, travel and behavior while visiting. Dispersed campers are allowed to park within one vehicle length (including any tow vehicle) of a National Forest transportation route and walk into camp. Dispersed camping is not permitted in developed campgrounds and day use areas. Other areas closed to dispersed camping include historical and archaeological sites. Also, be certain that you are within the boundaries of the National Forest before setting up camp. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway. Dispersed camping is not allowed in these areas: within one mile of Pinecrest Basin along 7N83, Clark Fork Road along Hwy 108 between Clark Fork Road and Kennedy Meadows Road Leave No Trace Camping – Camp so no one notices you while you are there, and no one even knows you were there after you leave. Please respect nature and other visitors by keeping noise to a minimum. Always pack out whatever you pack in. No permanent structures are to be constructed to an area, such as building rock-lined fire pits, trenches around tents, or carving into trees. Human waste should be deposited in a hole dug 6 - 10 inches deep and then covered with organic soil. Vehicles are not permitted off of roads, but if you can safely park your vehicle adjacent and parallel to the road and are not blocking the roadway, you may park and camp. Most sites will have a parking spot nearby while other sites may not. Because the footprint of a vehicle can have a large impact to soils, please do not create new “parking spot” for a campsite. Please park in designated or already impacted spots. If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that has been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites so using existing ones will minimize your impact in the forest. We want you to learn some of the many reasons to enjoy the quiet and solitude of dispersed camping, it’s up to you to LEAVE NO TRACE.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsTop of Arnold is located in California near Arnold
Coordinates
38.265415 N
120.371812 W
Connectivity
T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/14/26- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/25/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/14/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/25/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Dispersed
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 16 min from Stockton, CA
- 1 hr 28 min from Modesto, CA
- 1 hr 41 min from Merced, CA
- 1 hr 42 min from Sacramento, CA
