Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping

Free dispersed camping along Mount Raymond Road provides access to multiple camping areas within Sierra National Forest, located about a mile from Yosemite's South Entrance. Campers navigate dirt roads to reach scattered sites among the trees, with some areas offering more open clearings and others tucked into forested sections.

The camping areas split into different zones accessible from the main dirt road. "Pretty quiet (with the right groups around you), easily accessible and comfortable," notes Dylan B.. Some campers find the layout confusing since there's no direct road connecting all sites, but multiple pullouts and clearings provide options for various rig sizes. Several reviewers mention big rigs successfully camping here, though the bumpy access roads require careful navigation.

Fire rings are scattered throughout the camping areas, and abundant fallen wood makes firewood gathering easy. Wildlife sightings include deer that wander through campsites, seemingly unbothered by human presence. Campers should be aware that certain trees produce heavy sap, which can coat vehicles and gear overnight. The area lacks restrooms and trash service, so visitors must pack out all waste.

Cell service reaches most camping spots, and the location puts campers within a 10-minute drive of Yosemite National Park. Many use this as a base camp for day trips into the park, avoiding the crowded and expensive campgrounds inside park boundaries. Spring temperatures can drop significantly at night, though conditions remain manageable for most campers. For those exploring campgrounds around Sierra National Forest, nearby Summerdale Campground - Sierra National Forest offers developed facilities just 0.3 miles away. The dispersed sites provide a free alternative for self-sufficient campers who don't mind basic conditions.

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Location

Dispersed Camping

Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping is located in California

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

37.489986676664486 N
119.62644332914982 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 6 users
    Last on 4/23/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 123 users
    Last on 4/23/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 42 users
    Last on 4/23/26

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 6 users
    Last on 4/23/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 123 users
    Last on 4/23/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 42 users
    Last on 4/23/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

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 Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping needs a permit.

Drive Time


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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

12 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the abundant spots with good spacing just minutes from Yosemite's entrance. The quiet, forested setting with fire rings appeals to dispersed camping enthusiasts, though visitors should prepare for no facilities and potential tree sap issues.

Reviewed Apr. 6, 2026

Easy to find and great location

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! Plenty of space between camps and endless firewood options. Absolutely beautiful and peaceful. Before we parked we filled up with potable water at Wawona Campground.

Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Aug. 24, 2025

Amazing boondocking!!

What a brilliant place! 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. Bumpy roads around the actual camping area but manageable in a camper van. Actually saw a few big rigs here too. Only negative was the biting bugs which were everywhere & hungry but didn’t spoil the evening, just wish I’d taken bug spray or a citronella candle!

Sitena
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Helen F., August 24, 2025
Reviewed Apr. 13, 2025

Great spot outside the park

Only about a mile or so off the main road. Spots are a little confusing as there’s no direct road through the sites, but you’ll find a spot. Been here a few nights on a holiday weekend and wasn’t busy at all. Really close to the park entrance and to the less populated but still great areas of the park. Fire rings. No bathrooms over here and no dumpsters. Gets a little cold at night (April) but not unbearable by any means. Pretty quiet (with the right groups around you), easily accessible and comfortable. Can’t ask for much more.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Dylan B., April 13, 2025
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Dylan B., April 13, 2025
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Dylan B., April 13, 2025
Reviewed May. 28, 2024

amazing & accesible spot !

super accessible spot right by the entrance (10 min drive max) to yosemite np !! not sure why some of these reviews are complicated lol but just go up mount raymond road like the directions tell you to then once you get to the end i just went to the turn out on the right ! super lowkey, fire pits, and beautiful scenery 🌱

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Alexis O., May 28, 2024
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Alexis O., May 28, 2024
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Alexis O., May 28, 2024
Reviewed Jul. 20, 2023

Great and close to NP

Lots of places to park a vehicle or set up a tent. Plenty of fire rings and is very close to the NP entrance. Only downside was the lack of private areas to use the bathroom, but we managed. The lead to get in wasn’t bad, and we got there after dark.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Sep. 2, 2022

Overnight camp

Didn’t pull in until 9pm ish. But when I can in there was two ways you could have gone. To the left which was a parking lot possibly with sites(could not see) or to the right, which was a very large cleared space. I saw the remains of a few fires so I assumed I was in the right spot. Not a whole lot of trees from what I could tell. Also only about 1/4 mile from the main road that you come up on.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Lil R., September 2, 2022
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Lil R., September 2, 2022
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Lil R., September 2, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Nov. 10, 2021

Couldn’t find, Hannah gives wrong location

Note: drove to “end of Mt Raymond Rd / Goat Meadow Ttailhead” following Hannah’s review as the directions. That is not the directions to this campground. It’s the directions to the Meadow campground across the 41. So, unfortunately never found this location. Leaving proper review of Meadow dispersed camping on that campground across the street so head over to that one, irs super easy to find, not busy, tons of great spots.

Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Sep. 23, 2021

Yellow Jacket Season

Good spots, found one to fit our trailer. People kept parking at the entrance of the dirt path.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed May. 30, 2021

Beautiful spot just outside of Yosemite

It’s Memorial weekend and the weather is in the 70s, sun is shining through the forest trees, the birds are singing and this site is a perfect base camp for my day trips to hike in Yosemite.

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

Sitenestled in the trees
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Deb F., May 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Deb F., May 30, 2021
Reviewed May. 23, 2021

Correct Location Below

As previously mentioned, these coordinates are not correct, if you travel beyond the coordinates towards the South Park Entrance and pass the Springdale Campground on your left, you will see a sign shortly afterwards that says SnowPlay area 1/2 mile and that’s where you will turn onto Mount Raymond Road, which takes you to the dispersed camping about 5 minutes from the park entrance. Plenty of spots available.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Megan A., May 23, 2021
Reviewed Sep. 23, 2020

“Boondock National” - Yosemite

My friend and I decided to go on a camping/road trip with no plans or reservations. Little did we know that due to COVID, Yosemite was only allowing people in the park with a printed reservation. There was no getting passed these ladies. We asked if there was dispersed camping nearby and they directed us to a street less than a mile south of the southern entrance to Yosemite. The street was Mount Raymond. There were plenty of spots to pull off and camp out and lots of space between other campers. It was quiet and a sweet deer came by as we were setting up. She wasn’t afraid of us at all, just minding her business eating away.

***Only downfall: We were in an area near trees that produced a lot of sap. It was all over our car the next morning and it stuck to the bottom of our shoes pretty bad. We took sticks and really had to dig out all the gunk. Be aware of the trees you park your car under or set your tent up near.

Stopped at Bass Lake on the way up - Great spot for day picnics (pics)

  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Mandy , September 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Mandy , September 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Yosemite “Boondock National” Dispersed Camping by Mandy , September 23, 2020
  • (4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the differences between boondocking and dispersed camping near Yosemite?

Near Yosemite, boondocking and dispersed camping are essentially the same thing - camping outside developed campgrounds without hookups or facilities. The terms are often used interchangeably in this area. At Yosemite 'Boondock National' Dispersed Camping, you'll find informal sites with existing fire rings but no amenities like water, electricity, or restrooms. It's self-contained camping, typically free, located on Forest Service land just outside the park boundaries. The main requirement is being prepared with everything you need including water, waste disposal methods, and adhering to leave-no-trace principles.

Where are the best dispersed camping spots near Yosemite National Park?

One of the best dispersed camping areas near Yosemite is along Mount Raymond Road, just minutes from the South Entrance. This area offers numerous spots nestled among trees with existing fire rings. The Goat Meadow area is another excellent option nearby. Look for clearings where others have camped before, indicated by established fire rings. For privacy, explore further along the dirt roads to find more secluded spots. These areas accommodate various camping setups from tents to larger RVs, though road conditions can be bumpy. The proximity to the park entrance (about 10 minutes) makes these locations particularly convenient for day trips into Yosemite.

Where can I find free camping options around Yosemite?

Free camping is available at Yosemite 'Boondock National' Dispersed Camping along Mount Raymond Road near the South Park entrance. This area is only about a mile off the main road and approximately 10 minutes from the park entrance. Another option is the Goat Meadow Snow Play area vicinity. These locations offer numerous spots with existing fire rings and space for various camping setups. The sites are first-come, first-served with no reservation system. While free, remember these areas have no facilities, so come prepared with water, waste disposal methods, and follow leave-no-trace principles.

What BLM land allows camping near Yosemite National Park?

Most dispersed camping near Yosemite is on Sierra National Forest land rather than BLM land. The popular free camping area near the South Entrance, including Yosemite 'Boondock National' Dispersed Camping along Mount Raymond Road, is on National Forest land. For true BLM camping options, you'll need to travel further away from the park boundaries to areas east of the Sierra Nevada mountains. These BLM lands offer more wide-open spaces but are considerably further from park entrances. Sierra National Forest dispersed camping areas provide a much closer alternative with similar self-contained camping experiences.

Is dispersed camping allowed within Yosemite National Park?

No, dispersed camping is not allowed within Yosemite National Park boundaries. The park requires all visitors to camp in designated campgrounds, which typically need reservations well in advance. Backcountry camping in Yosemite requires wilderness permits that have limited availability. For a free dispersed camping experience, you'll need to look outside park boundaries on nearby National Forest land, such as the Yosemite 'Boondock National' area, which is located just minutes from the South Entrance to the park.