The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dispersed Camping near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, NV

101 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, Nevada includes several free sites on public land managed primarily by the Bureau of Land Management. Reno View Dispersed and BLM FLATTOP are located within 30 minutes of the area, while additional options like Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping and Big Dog Valley can be found within an hour's drive. These primitive camping areas typically feature no developed facilities and follow standard public land regulations. Most sites are situated on open terrain with views of surrounding valleys and mountains.

Access roads to dispersed sites vary significantly in quality and difficulty. Reno View Dispersed requires navigation along unmaintained roads that may demand high-clearance vehicles, with one camper noting the "road is worth the view" but recommending "RTT and campervans are perfect for this spot" due to rocky ground. BLM FLATTOP allows drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access with tent and RV accommodation, though no amenities are provided. Standard BLM regulations apply, including the typical 14-day camping limit within a 28-day period. Visitors should prepare for self-sufficient camping with no water, toilets, or trash services.

"The dirt road was very rutted in a few areas," reported one visitor to a nearby dispersed site, highlighting the importance of appropriate vehicles for accessing these areas. Most dispersed sites around Incline Village-Crystal Bay remain relatively quiet even during peak seasons, though proximity to popular recreation areas may increase weekend traffic. Campers particularly value the scenic views, with sites like Reno View offering panoramic vistas of the city lights below. Weather conditions can change rapidly in this mountainous region, with wind being a common factor mentioned in reviews. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with some areas permitting campfires while others maintain year-round bans.

Map showing campgrounds near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, NevadaExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, Nevada (37)

    1. Reno View Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Virginia City, NV
    15 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."

    2. BLM FLATTOP

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

    3. Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    18 Reviews
    Echo Lake, CA
    32 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."

    4. Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Tahoma, CA
    20 miles
    Website

    5. Big Dog Valley

    4 Reviews
    Verdi, CA
    24 miles
    Website

    6. Bear Lake Rd. Dispersed

    1 Review
    Tahoma, CA
    19 miles
    Website

    7. Kyburz Flats

    2 Reviews
    Sierraville, CA
    25 miles

    "Was fine in my 2wd van but have high clearance and was dry. Might be worse if muddy or low clearance vehicle. Also, coordinates lead to historic sheep camp site."

    "I went to stay at a paid campground nearby but they said my dogs would have to be leashed, so he suggested this place for us. It has a few roads with a couple campsites. Pure dispersed camping."

    8. BLM - Water Tank Road Dispersed

    7 Reviews
    Sparks, NV
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (775) 861-6500

    "Tucked off, dirt road with enough seclusion and privacy to feel comfortable at night. Be forewarned that the road is super rough and you will definitely need a car with more clearance to get up it."

    9. Merrill Valley Dispersed Camp

    1 Review
    Verdi, CA
    21 miles

    10. Loch Leven Lakes

    4 Reviews
    Norden, CA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 265-4531

    "We backpacked up to the high loch levens lake where we found many available campsites."

    "We took Salmon lake trailhead which is shorter trail."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 37 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Incline Village-Crystal Bay Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, NV

57 Photos of 37 Incline Village-Crystal Bay Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, NV

101 Reviews of 37 Incline Village-Crystal Bay 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

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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 Incline Village-Crystal Bay

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, Nevada, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. This area offers a variety of locations for those looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

Scenic Views for Dispersed Campers

  • Experience breathtaking vistas at Reno View Dispersed, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Reno skyline, especially at night.
  • The Loch Leven Lakes area provides a picturesque backdrop for camping, with multiple lakes surrounded by lush landscapes perfect for photography.
  • For a more rugged experience, head to BLM FLATTOP, where the rocky terrain offers unique scenery and a chance to explore the natural beauty of the region.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Incline Village-Crystal Bay

  • Hiking enthusiasts will love the trails leading to Granite Chief Wilderness - Dispersed, where you can discover hidden gems and enjoy the tranquility of nature.
  • Fishing is a popular activity at Bear Lake Rd. Dispersed, where you can cast your line in peaceful waters surrounded by stunning views.
  • For those seeking adventure, Echo Summit Dispersed offers access to thrilling mountain biking trails that cater to various skill levels.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, Nevada

  • Always check road conditions before heading to Merrill Valley Dispersed Camp, as some routes may be challenging, especially for larger vehicles.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities at BLM - Water Tank Road Dispersed, as this area lacks facilities like toilets and trash disposal, so plan to pack out what you bring in.
  • If you're looking for a quiet spot, consider Dog Valley, known for its secluded sites and beautiful surroundings, making it ideal for a peaceful getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there trailer accessible dispersed camping available near Incline Village?

Yes, trailer-accessible dispersed camping is available near Incline Village, though options with good access roads are limited. Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping offers reasonably good road quality making it very RV and trailer friendly, with reports indicating about 75% of campers use RVs or trailers there. Most sites have obvious driveways and stone fire rings. Packsaddle Pass - El Dorado National Forest Dispersed provides another option with a paved main road and dirt roads branching off to camping areas. When traveling with a trailer, scout your route first if possible, as road conditions can change seasonally, and some forest roads may have tight turns or rough sections that challenge larger rigs.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Incline Village-Crystal Bay?

Several free dispersed camping options exist near Incline Village-Crystal Bay. Peavine Road Dispersed Camping is relatively close, though recent reports indicate trash issues, making it less desirable. For better alternatives, consider Kyburz Flats, which offers primitive camping with some historical sites nearby. The road gets rougher after the first mile, so high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Many free camping options can also be found in nearby national forests, though Echo Summit areas specifically prohibit overnight camping. Always check current regulations as dispersed camping rules in the Tahoe Basin are strictly enforced, and many areas that appear suitable may not permit overnight stays.

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, NV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, NV is Reno View Dispersed with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, NV?

TheDyrt.com has all 37 dispersed camping locations near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, NV, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring