Dispersed Camping in California

Dispersed Camping in California

California has free dispersed camping on BLM desert land and in its national forests, though the rules are stricter than in most states, especially about fire. This guide groups the 88 California dispersed spots listed on Camping In The USA by who manages the land, and sums up the official rules. Always check the managing office for current road, fire and closure orders before you go.

The rules in one minute

• BLM land: Dispersed camping is allowed for no more than 14 days within any 28 consecutive days. After the 14th day you must move outside a 25-mile radius until the 29th day. Don't leave property unattended for more than 10 days. In the Bishop Field Office the limit is 14 days per year. (BLM California camping)
• Campfire permit: A free California Campfire Permit is required for campfires, charcoal and gas stoves outside developed campgrounds on BLM and national forest land, and BLM's statewide order also requires a cleared 5-ft circle and a shovel. Fires may be banned outright during high danger. (Ready for Wildfire permit, BLM California fire restrictions)
• National forests: Usually up to 14 days, sometimes less. Be self-contained, camp at least 150 ft from water, and pack out everything. (USFS Pacific Southwest dispersed camping)
• Desert LTVAs: Imperial Dam, Midland, Mule Mountain and other California LTVAs need a permit from September 15 to April 15 ($180 season or $40 for 14 days). (BLM Imperial Dam LTVA)
• Bring water. Most of these spots have no potable water.

BLM land

• Alabama Hills Designated Free Sites.
• Alabama Hills Rec Area: about 3 miles from Lone Pine.
• Amboy Crater.
• Biscar Reservoir: about 4,450 ft.
• Blue Oaks: about 20 miles from Williams, about 1,770 ft.
• Box Canyon Dispersed: about 6 miles from Mecca.
• Buttercup  OHV: about 15 miles from Winterhaven.
• Carrizo Plain – Elkhorn Grade.
• Cement Flats - Imperial Sand Dunes OHV.
• Coon Hollow.
• Corn Springs: about 5 miles from Corn Springs, about 1,610 ft.
• Cottonwood: about 8 miles from Boulevard, about 4,110 ft.
• Cow Mountain Rec Area: about 11 miles from Ukiah, about 3,020 ft.
• Crowley Lake: about 12 miles from Mammoth Lakes, about 6,980 ft.
• Death Valley – Panamint Valley BLM.
• Dodge: about 47 miles from Susanville.
• Douglas City: about 1 miles from Douglas City, about 1,640 ft.
• Dove Springs Off Hwy Area: about 27 miles from Mohave, about 3,260 ft.
• Dunebuggy Flats OHV: about 18 miles from Winterhaven.
• El Mirage Dry Lake OHV.
• Empire Landing.
• Fee Reservoir: about 7 miles from Fort Bidwell, about 5,260 ft.
• Fort Sage Off Hwy Area: about 3 miles from Doyle, about 4,720 ft.
• Fossil Falls: about 3 miles from Little Lake, about 3,350 ft.
• Gecko Loop - Imperial Sand Dunes OHV.
• Glamis Flats - Imperial Sand Dunes OHV: about 26 miles from Brawley.
• Goodale Creek: about 13 miles from Independence, about 4,010 ft.
• Grays Well OHV: about 17 miles from Winterhaven.
• Honeydew.
• Horse Mountain: about 4 miles from Etterburg.
• Horton Creek: about 10 miles from Bishop.
• Imperial Dam LTVA: about 33 miles from Yuma.
• Indian Creek: about 4 miles from Markleeville, about 5,660 ft.
• Jawbone Canyon Off Hwy Area: about 20 miles from Mohave, about 2,430 ft.
• Joshua Tree South.
• Joshua Tree – BLM South Boundary.
• Junction City: about 1 miles from Junction City, about 1,510 ft.
• KCL - Carrizo Plains.
• Keyesville Rec Site.
• Lark Canyon: about 4 miles from Boulevard, about 3,780 ft.
• Long Valley.
• Lost Coast – King Range BLM: about 200 ft.
• Lower Hunting Creek - Knoxville Rec Area: about 17 miles from Clearlake.
• Mattole Beach: about 4 miles from Petrolia.
• McCabe Flat: about 8 miles from Mariposa.
• Midland LTVA: about 9 miles from Blythe.
• Midway OHV: about 16 miles from Winterhaven.
• Nadelos: about 3 miles from Whitethorn, about 1,930 ft.
• North Eagle Lake: about 22 miles from Susanville, about 5,160 ft.
• Osborne Overlook - Imperial Sand Dunes OHV.
• Owl Canyon: about 8 miles from Barstow, about 2,900 ft.

Other national forest spots

• Bogard Campground: about 19 miles from Westwood.
• Eldorado NF – Wentworth Springs Rd.
• Fort Goff Campground: about 8 miles from Happy Camp.
• Gravel Flat Camping Area: about 11 miles from Yokuts Valley.
• Jane's Reservoir Campground: about 29 miles from Alturas.
• Mendocino NF – M1/M10 Spine.
• Plumas NF – Quincy La Porte Rd.
• Robinson Flat Campground.

More spots

• Anza‑Borrego – Blair Valley Flats.
• Beasore/Jones Road Network.
• Big Bear – Polique Canyon/3N16.
• Big Sur Coast Pullouts: about 400 ft.
• Blue Lakes Road Dispersed.
• Bodie Hills Backroads.
• Bowman/Meadow Lake Corridors.
• Buttermilk Country Dispersed.
• Castle Lake Road Spurs.
• Cuyamaca/Thing Valley Roads.
• Feather Falls/Forbestown Roads.
• Fort Sage OHV Vicinity Dispersed.
• Glass Creek Tablelands.
• Gold Lake Highway Pullouts.
• Goldfield – Cerro Gordo Vicinity.
• Lake Davis Backroads.
• Los Burros/Coast Ridge – Big Sur.
• Modoc Plateau Backroads.
• Monache Meadows Access Roads.
• Mt. Shasta – Everitt Memorial Hwy Spurs.
• Owens River Road Pullouts.
• Pinyon Flat and Thomas Mountain Roads.
• Sherman Pass/Kern Plateau.
• Six Rivers – Gasquet/Smith River.
• Smith River NRA Backroads.
• Soda Lake Road Corridors.
• Tahoe – Fordyce Lake Access.
• Tahoe – Jackson Meadows Backroads.
• Trinity Alps – Forest Road 38 vicinity: about 2,200 ft.

Before you go

Get the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for any national forest you visit, since it shows which roads are open and where roadside camping is allowed. Check fire restrictions, which change often in summer.

See all California campsites.