Best Dispersed Camping near Glenbrook, NV

Dispersed camping around Glenbrook, Nevada encompasses several free sites on public lands, with options in both California and Nevada. Hope Valley Dispersed and Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping provide primitive camping areas in Hope Valley, California, approximately 20 miles south of Glenbrook. Additional sites include Reno View Dispersed to the north and BLM Flattop areas. Most sites are located on Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management lands where no-fee camping is permitted without formal facilities or services.

Many dispersed camping roads require careful navigation due to rough conditions. Reviews indicate several sites have challenging access, particularly BLM Flattop and Reno View Dispersed, where high-clearance or 4WD vehicles are recommended. Granite Chief Wilderness roads transition from pavement to 4x4 routes. Most areas prohibit camping during winter months when gates may be locked. No water, restrooms, or trash services are provided at any location. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with some areas permitting campfires while others enforce complete fire bans.

The region offers varying experiences based on elevation and location. Scotts Lake Rd provides multiple campsites down dirt roads suitable for larger vehicles including 40-foot fifth wheels, though summer brings mosquitoes and bugs. Echo Summit Dispersed has been affected by past fires, creating open areas beneficial for satellite reception, but a visitor noted that "overnight camping is not allowed" according to Forest Service personnel. Reviews emphasize planning ahead, as one camper at Reno View noted that "the road is a beast" while another mentioned "the bottoms of our shoes looked like a warzone" due to goatheads (puncture vine). Burnside Lake area requires 4x4 vehicles but rewards visitors with mountain views.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Glenbrook, Nevada (37)

    1. Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    18 Reviews
    Echo Lake, CA
    23 miles

    "Easy access and reasonably good road quality make it very RV friendly - I would say that it was at least 75% RVs/Trailers. Beautiful views of the valley and hills to the east."

    "Easy to see right off the road with plenty of campsites down either side of a nice dirt road. Rocky and steep road access to Scott’s lake, but easy camping on the edge of the valley."

    2. Reno View Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Virginia City, NV
    19 miles

    "The first turn off has the best view with somewhat flat ground for a tent. Very rocky ground and a little windy so ground tents might be tough. RTT and campervans are perfect for this spot!"

    "I would not drive it with any vehicle other than SUV/Truck. DO NOT bring up an RV/Trailer. you’ll regret it. we stayed and car camped. an awesome view of the lights of Reno."

    5. BLM FLATTOP

    3 Reviews
    Virginia City, NV
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (775) 885-6000

    6. Echo Summit Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Echo Lake, CA
    20 miles

    "this location was the site of a fire several years ago, this means that many of the trees have been cleared making it a good site for starlink users like me."

    7. Hope Valley Dispersed

    1 Review
    Echo Lake, CA
    23 miles

    "Free camping"

    8. Packsaddle Pass - El Dorado National Forest Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Twin Bridges, CA
    26 miles
    Website

    "Standard dispersed camping on national forest land. Paved main road with dirt roads and areas for camping branching off. Plenty of room. Some areas have beautiful views of strawberry valley!"

    "Great location. Not sure it would be a good location if it's been raining. May hear the occasional road noise"

    9. USFS Silver Fork Dispersed

    6 Reviews
    Kyburz, CA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 622-5061

    "The coordinates listed on the app are simply for the entrance to the dispersed camping. There are infinite amounts of primitive roads to drive down and find camp."

    "The area is spacious and conveniently located not too far off the main road, making it easy to access without feeling too isolated."

    10. Iron MT. Dispersed

    10 Reviews
    Eldorado National Forest, CA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 324-4442

    "The ground is very flat and many areas are paved with gravel. At 7500 feet above sea level, the view is wide and the scenery is beautiful, especially the sunset view."

    "The Mormon Emigrant Trail can be accessed from there (East side, going West to Sly Park.) You can hear the Highway a little, but nonetheless very peaceful area."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Glenbrook, NV

106 Reviews of 37 Glenbrook Campgrounds


  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2023

    Scout Camp at Fort Churchill

    Gorgeous Riparian Forest

    Scout camp is on the Carson river and within the tall cottonwoods. Camp in the shade or out in the open if it’s very windy as the trees can shed branches. Garbage collection and pit toilets. Nice trail along the River.

    As of October 2023 the access road to scout camp was washed out. But there is dispersed camping on the terrace to the south.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 8, 2023

    USFS Silver Fork Dispersed

    Endless Possibilities

    The coordinates listed on the app are simply for the entrance to the dispersed camping. There are infinite amounts of primitive roads to drive down and find camp. I stayed at N38.768811• W 120.238630° — on top of a peak that offered 360° views with sunrise and sunset right from my tent. At this specific sight, there are no overhead trees. Despite being primitive, the roads are well kept, even if you have a small SUV. It could get slightly tricky with a car. I stayed here for 7 days (10/31-11/6) and only saw one other person on the primivite roads. The above coordinates are about a 6 mile drive in from US50. You will see a campground on your right about 5 miles down when driving in, about a mile further down the road you will come up on the dirt road leading you up the mountain.

    A couple of notes:

    1. You are required to have a permit for any day/overnight use in Eldorado, including this area. They can be easily acquired at recreation.gov
    2. Cell phone reception is very spotty, in and out of a couple of bars throughout the drive in. — AT&T coverage. At the above coordinates, there were 2 bars of low grade coverage allowing basic texts to send. Not enough service for web browsing or sending photos via text.
    3. This area has been widely burnt by fires last year. There are still large areas unburnt. You will find yourself going in and out of them while driving.
    4. KEEP IT CLEAN — this area is immaculate and besides dug out fire pits, human trace is non-existent. Leave it cleaner than you found it, pick up your trash (and other’s if you see any), respect the area and it will respect you.
    5. NO CAMP SERVICES — There is no trash service or even dumpsters at the signed entrance; pack it in pack it out. There are no restrooms in the area either.
  • Jacqueline G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Dispersed USFS

    Worth the climbs to get here!!

    This is full wilderness camping off the main road between hope valley and the blue lakes. I had no problem getting in with my 30ft bus towing a jeep but the road is steep and winding for about 7 miles to the pull off. There were a lot of other campers for Labor Day weekend but the rest of the time there was no one around. Jugs of water can be filled at the campgrounds about 5 miles in each direction. PLEASE NOTE: There are prolonged climbs to get here (up to about 8% grade) but my bus did fine. Slow and steady and you’ll be fine. Also WATCH THE WEATHER! Rain can cause spots of the road in to get washed out a bit and deep puddles can appear. There are loads of rocks and fallen trees around to fill in holes if needed. If you’re moderate to high clearance rig you’ll be fine just be mindful. The Blue Lakes are just down the road for swimming, boating, kayaking etc and lots of amazing 4x4 trails. Rivers for fishing and endless hiking and biking. Elevation is 8300ft so definitely a bit high. The trees help with the air however. Not nearly as tough as the high desert of Utah (Zion or Brice) but just take it easy if you’re not used to high altitude.

  • J
    Jun. 24, 2021

    Dispersed Camping near Fort Churchill

    No Go for Class A due to rotted access roads

    We drove thru both Fort Churchill State Park Campground and Scout Camp near by. We were looking for a place to camp for the night. We have a 36ft class A with a tow. Fort Churchill Campground is not accessible if you love the paint job on your rig. For lower profile campers it would be ok. Narrow dirt roads with sage brush to scratch you and overhanging low tree branches to ruin solar and a/c.

    Scout camp access is deeply rotted so our Class A couldn't safely get in there, otherwise there would have been plenty of space for us.

  • Ciara W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2024

    Echo Summit Dispersed

    Not dispersed camping

    This spot is national forest, and overnight camping is not allowed. We had a knock from someone with the forest service the next morning who was very kind and let us know that overnight is not allowed.

    Look up lakes and forest in this area on google — not many places allow dispersed camping

  • Shane C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2022

    Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed camping with campground layout/feel

    Camped here for a night in early October. Easy access and reasonably good road quality make it very RV friendly - I would say that it was at least 75% RVs/Trailers. Beautiful views of the valley and hills to the east. Most sites are obvious, with a driveway and stone fire ring. We like a more "dispersed" feel, but felt comfortable. 

    There are no services - bring all the water you will need and practice "leave no trace." This goes for your waste (human and animal) as well. I wish I could say that we didn't see any dog waste or "TP Flowers" but we did. Not a significant amount, but any is too much.

    The place was pretty much full, but still good vibes and quiet neighbors. Very close to Hwy. 88, so road noise and campers coming in looking for a spot after dark. Gets quiet later in the evening.

    Overall, a nice spot.

  • Tim R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2024

    Packsaddle Pass - El Dorado National Forest Dispersed

    Standard Dispersed Camping

    Standard dispersed camping on national forest land. Paved main road with dirt roads and areas for camping branching off. Plenty of room. Some areas have beautiful views of strawberry valley!

  • Raymond B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2024

    USFS Silver Fork Dispersed

    Overnight stay

    We recently spent a night at this campsite and found it to be perfect for a quick overnight getaway. The area is spacious and conveniently located not too far off the main road, making it easy to access without feeling too isolated.

    There are plenty of sites to choose from, catering to different preferences. However, we recommend taking some time to survey the land before setting up camp, as some spots are slightly sloped.

    A huge plus is the gas station just about 5 minutes down the road. It’s well-stocked with all the convenient store items you might have forgotten at home, making it easy to grab any last-minute necessities.

    Overall, it was a delightful stay. Just remember, always practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out what you pack in!

  • Kailey C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2020

    Dispersed Camping near Fort Churchill

    Alternate free camping next to the state park!

    Since COVID has closed all state and national parks to camping, we were happy to find this BLM land for an overnight. There are no services and the ground is a little bumpy/sandy but we were able to get around just fine in our camper van. There was a makeshift fire ring at our site, but it was so windy and dry brush everywhere that we didn't want to attempt to use it.

    We for service on both Verizon and Sprint! Had some coyotes track around our van over night so make sure you keep everything inside!


Guide to Glenbrook

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Glenbrook, Nevada, where nature meets adventure. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those seeking a more rustic camping experience.

Scenic Views for Dispersed Campers

  • The BLM FLATTOP offers breathtaking views and a chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region, though be prepared for a challenging access road.
  • For a picturesque setting, the Reno View Dispersed provides stunning vistas of the Reno skyline, making it an ideal spot for sunset watchers.
  • If you're looking for a peaceful retreat, the USFS Silver Fork Dispersed features spacious areas near a stream, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the sounds of nature.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Glenbrook, Nevada

  • Always pack out what you pack in, especially at places like Merrill Valley Dispersed Camp, where trash disposal is not available.
  • Be aware that some areas, such as Echo Summit Dispersed, may have restrictions on overnight camping, so check local regulations before setting up.
  • Arrive early to secure a good spot, particularly at popular locations like Hope Valley Dispersed, which can fill up quickly during peak seasons.

Activities While Free Camping Near Glenbrook

  • Enjoy hiking and exploring the rugged terrain around Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed, where you can find trails that lead to stunning mountain views.
  • For those interested in fishing, the nearby waters offer great opportunities, especially around the Bear Lake Rd. Dispersed, where you can cast a line in a serene setting.
  • If you're into off-roading, the access roads to Luther Pass Dispersed Camping provide thrilling routes for adventure seekers looking to explore the backcountry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Glenbrook, NV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Glenbrook, NV is Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Glenbrook, NV?

TheDyrt.com has all 37 dispersed camping locations near Glenbrook, NV, with real photos and reviews from campers.