EXPLORE · FREE CAMPING
Free Camping in California
California has more dispersed camping options than any other state — the result of 18 national forests and millions of acres of BLM land. The Sierra Nevada east slope is the backbone: Inyo, Mono Lake Basin, the John Muir Wilderness corridor, and the eastern Sierra front have pullout camping within sight of 14,000-foot peaks. The Los Padres National Forest runs the length of the Coast Ranges and has dispersed sites within two hours of Los Angeles. The Klamath, Shasta-Trinity, and Six Rivers national forests of the north have old-growth corridors with camping on nearly every road. California's dispersed camping requires no permit on most Forest Service roads — just drive until you like the spot, pull 150 feet off the road, and stay up to 14 days.
No reservations needed for dispersed camping. Check fire restrictions at fs.usda.gov before your trip — restrictions change frequently in summer. Stay limit is typically 14 days at any one location. Find free camping on the Trek4Free map →
Before You Go
Gear up for dispersed camping — no hookups, no camp store, no running water
Free Camping Sites in California
Sites are arranged into pods to accommodate groups of 15 - 25 people.
This is a walk-in, bike-in or boat-in campground.
Beaver Creek is a small (8 sites) campground on the banks of scenic Beaver Creek. There are vault restrooms but no water. There is no fee for camping at Beaver …
This campground, at an elevation of 7,500 feet. There are 30 single units and eight double units. Natural Features: An open meadow that is surrounded by a varie…
Quiet and tucked away from the beaten path. Pine creek adjacent to campground, beautiful aspens in and around campground. Located 1.75 miles off Highway 44. No …
Located along the Kaiser Pass Road near the High Sierra Ranger Station. Bosillo Creek runs adjacent to campground. There are 3 available first-come, first-serve…
Brimstone OHV campground is located adjacent to the Sugar Pine OHV trail system. It contains eight accessible campsites.
Brush Creek is a dispersed camping or day use site open year round. There are vault toilets available and seasonal trash bins. This is where the Brush Creek mee…
Elevation 4,875'. 32 units. Vault toilets, fire rings. No water, grills or tables. No Fee. Check ahead - campfires may not be allowed during fire restrictions.
This area is currently partially closed to camping per Forest Order 0513-21-13- There is no camping within 350 feet of the Kern River - this area is day-use onl…
Clark Fork Horse Camp is located past the dump station at Clark Fork Campground, There are 13 sites available. Some sites have picnic tables. There are three v…
Located within the Kings Canyon, 19 miles NE of Grant Grove via Hwy 180. Family campground (5 units). Suitable for small - midsize trailers. Elevation 3,000 fe…
Dispersed camping and day use site along the North Fork of the Kern River. Portable toilets and trash bins available during summer months. No water available. S…
Family campground set in the trees with plenty of shade.
DUNCAN DIVERSON AREA (Camping Area)
Located near Westgard Pass and White Mountain Road, three separate large group sites are popular with academic institutions for geology field trips. Surrounded …
Gold Lake Campground (6,400' elevation) is located along the shores of glacially carved Gold Lake. A high clearance vehicle is recommended to access most campsi…
Camp next to a wonderful lake for paddling and breathtaking scenery. Enjoy nearby hiking, biking, and equestrian trails leading to more than 20 scenic lakes.
Elevation: 1500-Foot ElevationAmenities: 5 Hike-in campsites- Picnic tables and campfire rings, vault toilets, trash receptacles, no piped water available. Seas…
Goumaz campground is between Highway 36 and 44 at the South end of Eagle Lake. There are 5 campsites located along Susan River and adjacent to the Bizz Johnson …
1,000-foot elevation. Undeveloped camping area on the wild and scenic Kings River. This area is secluded and requires significant travel time to visit giant seq…
Haven Lake Campground has 4 campsites. Access to some campsites is via rough unpaved road. Some of the features of this area include breathtaking scenery and ov…
Located 13 miles SE of Grant Grove via Generals Highway to Big Meadow Road (Road 14S11). Horse camp offers five (5) units, and horse corrals. Campsite elevation…
Hoteling campground has 4 campsites right on the South Fork of the Salmon River. Easy access makes it a popular destination all summer long with the locals.
Lake of the Woods is a small lake that is popular on weekends. There are approximately 15 camping spots with fire pits and picnic tables situated along the sho…
walk/bike/boat in
Campground is situated at 7,300 feet.51 campsites are available. No drinking water. Portable toilets. 14 day stay limit. Each campsite is equipped with a bear l…
Low development scale Forest Service operated campground
Dispersed camping only. Vault toilet, but no other services are provided.
25 sites with portable toilets, this is an overflow campground.
This is a special one night only campground designed for backpackers on the night before embarking on their backpack trip. 10 Single campsites. It is a walk-in …
Located near Westgard Pass and White Mountain Road, three separate large group sites are popular with academic institutions for geology field trips. Surrounded …
Located near Westgard Pass and White Mountain Road, three separate large group sites are popular with academic institutions for geology field trips. Surrounded …
This tiny, tents only campground is located near Beegum Creek. Partially shaded with only two campsites, this is a great home base for your adventures! Be aware…
O'NEIL CREEK (Campground)
Orr Lake is a popular fishing area with a beautiful view of Mt Shasta. The lake is the home of trout, bass, and catfish. A scenic trail along the east edge of t…
Clyde Glacier group campsite can accommodate up to 25 people. Palisade Glacier group campsite is tent only and can accommodate 20 people. These group sites are …
There are 5 campsites at Red Bank campground situated right on the North Fork of the Salmon River.
Ripstein Campground is normally available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are 10 tent-only sites, some are walk in only. The majority of tent sites ha…
Ross Campground has three rustic campsites tucked off of the beaten path. It is located next to Jamison Creek in a conifer forest of predominantly red fir trees…
Campground located 2 miles off highway 36. There are 10 walk in sites, hand pumped water and vault toilet.
Located near the boundary of the Hoover Wilderness at an elevation of 9800 feet, Sawmill Campground is suited to backpack style camping as you will walk more th…
Snag Lake Campground is located five miles north of Bassetts on the Gold Lake Road adjacent to Snag Lake. There are 12 undesignated campsites with space for sma…
Elevation 7800 feet. 20 campsites. Campground is not suitable for RV camping. Tent or car camping only. No drinking water is available. 14 day stay limit. A lim…
Closed Campground.
This campground was burned severly in 2020. Facilities were affected.
Yuba Pass Campground is located in the North Yuba River area, atop Yuba Pass on Highway 49. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area…
Camping is available on a first come-first serve basis--we do not take reservations. The campground has 12 campsites, 3 with elevated tent pads. There is an acc…
BLACK GULCH SOUTH (Camping Area)
50 person capacity.
Echo Lake is a semi-developed, dispersed camping area at the shoreline of Echo Lake near the Caribou Wilderness. A vault toilet is on site, as well as trash re…
The campground is located along the north side of the Kings River on a large sandy flat area. There is no shade so it is very hot during the summer months, but …
Operated by volunteers from the Giant Sequoia National Monument Association. 3000 feet elevation. 9 campsites. 16 foot max RV length. No water, no reservations
Shady campsites and a creek running along side makeLower Rush Creek Campgrounda great getaway destination. Trailers larger than 22 feet are not recommended.In t…
Permanently Closed
Ramshorn Campground is located on the North Yuba River along Hwy 49, 15 miles north east of Camptonville. There are 16 campsites, piped water, and vault toilets…
Permanently Closed
This Site is Permanently Closed.
White Rock is a primitive campground on Tahoe National Forest managed by PG&E.
WILLOW LAKE (Camping Area)
Campground Overflow Parking
Overflow camping area has one vault toilet.
AIKEN'S CREEK CAMPGROUND (Campground)
ALDER CREEK (Camping Area)
BEAR LAKE (Camping Area)
BLACK OAK GROVE (Camping Area)
BLACK ROCK (CUA) (Camping Area)
BOULDER CAMPGROUND
CATFISH COVE (Camping Area)
CATTLEGUARD CG
The Chicago Stump Trail is a short and easy hike to a very interesting and historical site. The hike weaves throughJeffrey pines and shrubs to a verdant meadowr…
CIENAGA (Campground)
COLDWATER CANYON YELLOW POST SITES (Camping Area)
COTTONWOOD (Campground)
EQUINE STAGING AREA (Camping Area)
FIVE LAKES BASIN (Camping Area)
GOBLERS KNOB YELLOW POST SITES (Camping Area)
This campground has 15 first come sites. One of the sites is accessible and some sites can accommodate large groups. Campground amenities include water and vaul…
GREEK STORE (Camping Area)
GRIZZLY FOREBAY (FAMILY CG) (Campground)
Grouse Valley is located in the Giant Sequoia National Monument within Sequoia National Forest. The facility is actually a complex of three cabins, including th…
KELLER (Campground)
LAKEHEAD (Camping Area)
LAKEVIEW (Camping Area)
LAST CHANCE (Camping Area)
LIVE OAK CG (Campground)
LONG POINT (Camping Area)
MAMMOTH MT RV PARK (Campground)
MIDDLE RIDGE (Camping Area)
PHILBROOK (Campground)
PIPES CANYON TRAIL CAMP (Campground)
PROSPECT (Campground)
SPUNKY (Campground)
Summit camping area is a great place for those who enjoy rustic camping. Toilets, water, and garbage service are not provided at this site. The site contains on…
SUMMIT LAKE (Camping Area)
TENAJA CAMPGROUND (Campground)
ZUNI (Campground)
ALMANOR OVERFLOW (Camping Area)
BASE CAMP (Camping Area)
BEAR CAMP (Camping Area)
BEASORE/CHIQUITO (Camping Area)
BOGGY MEADOW 1 (Camping Area)
BREWER LAKE (Camping Area)
CASA DIABLO (Camping Area)
CASCADE LAKE / LONG LAKE (Campground)
CHAMISA FLATS DISPERSED CAMPING AREA (Camping Area)
CHICKEN ROCK (Camping Area)
COLD SPRINGS (Camping Area)
COYOTE CAMP 1 (Camping Area)
COYOTE CAMP 2 (Camping Area)
COYOTE CAMP 3 (Camping Area)
D SPUR (Camping Area)
DUSY CAMP 3 (Camping Area)
DUSY CREEK CAMP 1 (Camping Area)
DUSY CREEK CAMP 2 (Camping Area)
EAST LAKE (Camping Area)
ERSHIM LAKE (Camping Area)
FISH CAMP/BIG CREEK (Camping Area)
Mojave National Preserve, near NOTHING, hour and a half from Las Vegas, nearly ran out of gas! No privacy, but plenty of dry camping in the area. Enough room …
Joshua Tree National Park, NPS has a number of free campgrounds in J-Tree. Joshua Tree NP no longer free.
Sierra National Forest, near Yosemite, Mariposa grove, South Entrance, not a great site, not sure if it was legal. We arrived late at night. No room for RV if…
Stanislaus National Forest, near Yosemite, Big Oak Flat entrance, approx location
Shasta National Forest, near Mt. Shasta trailhead, lots of cars, climbers ready to climb mt. shasta. Not sure if legal, but there seemed to be room for RV if I…
On BLM land. Oak forest and grassland. Just a few miles from I-5 north of Red Bluff. Exit at Jelly's Ferry. Turn on Bend Road. Follow signs to Payne's Cree…
East of the south end of Death Valley National Park. BLM. Furnace Creek Wash Rd. The area isn't used very heavily; used a little pulloff on the rd, very litt…
Inside Death Valley National Park, on the Racetrack Road at Teakettle Jctn. Nice large area for a vehicle or two. Very few pulloffs available though on this r…
Near Joshua Tree National Park Cottonwood Springs. BLM lands Within sight of interstate, but road noise not too bad. RVs and trailers should be fine, but flat…
Los Padres NF Sierra Madre Campsite, nice, but small pulloff on NF32S13, overlooking highway 166 below. Between Santa Maria, CA and Taft, CA. Road is too roug…
Moore Creek Campground, USFS On Mokelumne River - 12 miles on paved road from Hwy 88/Ellis Rd. Steep grade - 3000 elevation change - good brakes required. Tro…
Free dry camping behind George S. Patton Museum at Chiriaco Summit (exit I-10 at Chiriaco Road). Gas, minimart, and restaurant nearby. Look for sign "Free Dry…
SLAB CITY--famous (infamous) Free boondocking camping on abandoned military property. Water and Dump locations in small town of Niland, CA (2 miles) Lots of ver…
Near Superstition Mt. in California this is a locally well known spot for Jeepers, dirt bikers and campers. This is in the desert and there are no facilities o…
Located near the Salton Sea this camp area overlooks a desolate area with some spectacular views in the evening sun. There are no facilities. This is outside …
In the Anza Borrego desert, this is an out of the way place. Be sure to see the old deserted homestead. Follow the dirt road to the end where a hiking trail l…
Take Boone road for 4 miles. This is a dirt road that is well graded and easy to travel. You'll not find a much starker place than a dry lake bed. If you lik…
This is a single campsite overlooking Indian Valley Reservoir. It can be accessed with any type of vehicle although during the rainy season or during the winter…
Goumaz campground, a USFS campground in Lassen National Forest. Previously a fee was required to camp here, but when I was there the fee box was tapped up and …
GARDEN POINT (Camping Area)
GERTRUDE CREEK EAST (Camping Area)
GERTRUDE CREEK WEST (Camping Area)
GRIZZLY CREEK (Camping Area)
GRIZZLY PASS (Camping Area)
GROUSE MEADOW (Camping Area)
HATCH LAKE STAGING (Camping Area)
HOKE / VERDI
INDIAN FLATS GROUP CAMP (Group Campground) Decomissioned
JONES VALLEY INLET (Camping Area)
KENNEDY MEADOW AND BURTON MEADOW (Camping Area)
KINGS RIVER 1 (Camping Area)
LAKE CAMP (Camping Area)
LOWER BRIDGE (Camping Area)
MADRONE COVE (Camping Area)
MALLARD LAKE (Camping Area)
MIAMI STAGING AREA (Camping Area)
MIAMI STAGING AREA 1 (Camping Area)
MIDDLE BRIDGE (Camping Area)
MILL CREEK - PRIVATE (Campground)
MININGTOWN MEADOW (Camping Area)
MIRROR CAMP (Camping Area)
MIRROR LAKE CAMP (Camping Area)
MUGGLER CREEK (Camping Area)
NORTH FORK (Camping Area)
OBRIEN (Camping Area)
OLD GOLDLEDGE DISPERSED CAMPING (Camping Area)
POISON SPRINGS (Camping Area)
PORTAL DISPERSED CAMP (Camping Area)
QUARTZ MOUNTAIN (Camping Area)
RADIO CAMP (Camping Area)
ROCKY POINT (Campground)
Overview Sawtooth Canyon Campground, also know by its nickname “New Jack City,” is located approximately 3 miles west of California Highway 247 and 20 mile sout…
SCOTT MOUNTAIN (Camping Area)
SOUTH FORK TAMARACK (Camping Area)
SPANISH LAKE (Camping Area)
STRAWBERRY LAKE (Camping Area)
STRAWBERRY LAKE CAMP 1 (Camping Area)
STRAWBERRY LAKE CAMP 2 (Camping Area)
SUMMIT LAKE (Camping Area)
SWAMP LAKE (Camping Area)
SWAMP MEADOW (Camping Area)
THOMAS HUNTING GROUNDS YELLOW POST SITES (Camping Area)
THOMPSON LAKE (Camping Area)
TULE MEADOW (Camping Area)
UPPER DEER CREEK (Camping Area)
VOYAGER HORSE CAMP (Camping Area)
VOYAGER OVERFLOW (Camping Area)
YELLOW CREEK (Camping Area)