Dispersed Camping in Madera County, California
Showing 113 locations in Madera County.
Annex Sale A Spur Dispersed Camping
A quiet dispersed camping corridor along a dirt spur road in the Sierra National Forest, situated in a wooded setting near Bass Lake. The road is open year-round to all vehicles under dry conditions.
Annex Sale B Spur Dispersed
Quiet dispersed camping along a dirt forest spur in the Sierra National Forest near Bass Lake. Ideal for travelers seeking isolated camping on undeveloped public lands.
Bass Lake Boat Launch Road Dispersed
An unpaved Forest Service road providing access to dispersed camping opportunities in the Sierra National Forest near Bass Lake. The route features native dirt and gravel surfaces winding through a scenic pine forest with nearby water access.
Bass Lake District, Sierra National Forest
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Bass Lake Vista Road Corridor
This scenic corridor runs along the northern shore of Bass Lake in the Sierra National Forest. While the road provides access to beautiful lake views and the Recreation Point Group Campground, dispersed camping is strictly prohibited within the Bass Lake Basin.
Beasore Loop Forest Roads
Located in the Sierra National Forest near the scenic Fresno Dome, these dirt forest roads offer dispersed camping opportunities among the pines. The route consists of native dirt material and is seasonally accessible, providing quiet wooded sites with easy access to nearby trailheads.
Beasore Road Dispersed
Scenic primitive campsites scattered along Beasore Road and forest spurs adjacent to Chilkoot Creek. This corridor offers a quiet retreat under the pines with close access to the water, while remaining within driving distance of Bass Lake resort attractions.
Big Creek Fire Road T1 Dispersed
Scenic dispersed camping corridor along Big Creek Fire Road T1 in the Sierra National Forest, offering quiet forest sites near Fresno Dome trailhead. The road winds through towering pines and features several natural pullouts suitable for self-contained rigs.
Big Sandy Campground
A peaceful, primitive forest campground located along Forest Road 6S07 in the Sierra National Forest. Surrounded by mature pine trees and adjacent meadows, this area provides a quiet escape with basic campground layouts.
BLM Land near Ahwahnee, CA
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BLM Land near Coarsegold, CA
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BLM Land near Oakhurst, CA
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BLM Land near Yosemite Lakes, CA
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BLM Primitive Road Dispersed
This primitive BLM road corridor near Oakhurst offers dispersed camping opportunities. It provides a rustic forested environment close to Deadwood Peak, suitable for self-contained rigs seeking a natural setting with convenient proximity to town services.
Broken Shovel Mine B Spur T1
A quiet National Forest spur road offering dispersed camping in the Sierra National Forest near Oakhurst. The area features a native dirt road winding through scenic pine woodlands, suitable for standard vehicles in dry conditions.
Broken Shovel Mine B Spur T2 Dispersed
A secluded dispersed camping option along a native-dirt spur road in the Sierra National Forest. Located near Bass Lake, it provides quiet forest sites within driving distance of popular local trailheads.
Buck Ridge Day-Use Pavilion
A developed day-use pavilion at Hensley Lake managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Overnight camping is prohibited, but drinking water and restrooms are available during the day.
Butterfield Stage Road BLM Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor located on BLM-managed land along Butterfield Stage Road near Mercer Mountain. The area features primitive roadside pullouts surrounded by typical California chaparral and oak woodlands. It is best suited for smaller rigs and high-clearance vehicles due to the unmaintained dirt surfaces.
Cedar Bluff Campground
Located adjacent to Bass Lake, Cedar Bluff Campground is nestled in a majestic ponderosa pine forest on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. The facility offers double, triple, and quad campsites, making it ideal for groups. Amenities include flush toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, and paved parking spurs. Many sites are on slopes, which may limit flat areas for tents.
Cedarbrook A Spur Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor situated along Cedarbrook A Spur in the scenic Sierra National Forest.
Cheapo/Slide OHV A Spur Dispersed
This remote dirt spur in the Sierra National Forest offers quiet dispersed camping opportunities near Bass Lake. It features standard forest access along native dirt trails, with seasonal access typically open from spring through late autumn.
Chilkoot Campground
Chilkoot Campground is a developed US Forest Service facility nestled in a grove of Ponderosa pine, fir, and cedar alongside Chilkoot Creek. It features rustic, shaded campsites equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, though campers must pack in all of their own drinking water.
Chiquito Canyon C Spur
Chiquito Canyon C Spur offers quiet, dispersed forest camping along a native dirt road in the Sierra National Forest. Located near Lower Chiquito Campground, this area provides direct access to deep pine woods with primitive pull-offs.
Chiquito Canyon D Spur Dispersed
A scenic dirt spur road within the Sierra National Forest offering quiet dispersed camping spots among the pines. The route provides direct access to quiet forested spots and nearby trails.
Chowchilla Mountain Road Dispersed
This corridor along Chowchilla Mountain Road offers native-surface dispersed camping within the Sierra National Forest. Located in Madera County, the route winds through scenic pine forests near Crow Peak, providing several roadside pull-offs suitable for a range of vehicles in dry conditions.
Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use
A scenic day-use area along the shores of Eastman Lake, offering picnic shelters, hiking trails, and a playground. Note that overnight camping and parking are strictly prohibited at this location.
Circle Grove Campsite
A quiet, rustic developed campsite situated within the historic Nelder Grove area of the Sierra National Forest, surrounded by massive giant sequoias and towering pine trees. The area offers unique interpretive hiking trails nearby and is highly peaceful.
Codorniz Campground
A scenic developed campground on H.V. Eastman Lake in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It offers a mix of electric and non-electric sites, disc golf, horseshoe pits, a volleyball court, hot showers, and a boat ramp. The campground is highly regarded for its quiet atmosphere, stunning mountain views, and beautiful sunsets over the lake.
Crane Valley Group Campground
Crane Valley Group Campground is a pine-shaded group camping facility adjacent to Bass Lake. It is currently closed to all public access through the late 2020s due to ongoing hazard tree mitigation work.
Creekside Campsite
A scenic dispersed camping spot situated along a creek off Forest Road 6S47Y.
Douglas Station A Spur Dispersed
A dispersed camping corridor located along Douglas Station A Spur within the Sierra National Forest, positioned north of Oakhurst and near Bass Lake. This route provides access to secluded, undeveloped sites nestled in a dense pine forest setting.
Dusty Daisy Campsite
A primitive dispersed campsite located along Forest Road 6S47Y in the Sierra National Forest.
Footman Ridge A Spur Dispersed
A dirt corridor located within the Sierra National Forest, offering primitive dispersed camping along a native-material spur road.
Forest Road 6S90 Dispersed
A quiet, wooded dispersed camping corridor along Forest Road 6S90, offering easy access to hiking trails and giant sequoias. The dirt road has some rough patches but is accessible to most standard vehicles during dry weather.
Forks Campground (Sierra)
Forks Campground offers developed campsites situated on a scenic hillside overlooking Bass Lake. The area is heavily forested with pine, cedar, and oak trees, providing ample shade and immediate access to nearby hiking trails.
Fresno Dome Campground
A primitive Sierra National Forest campground situated in a quiet pine forest near the base of Fresno Dome. It offers basic, shaded sites with easy trail access.
Goat Meadow & Mount Raymond Road
A popular dispersed camping corridor located in Sierra National Forest, just outside the southern gate of Yosemite. It features a large paved parking lot at the snow play area alongside numerous rugged dirt spur roads offering secluded campsites nestled in the pines.
Goat Meadow Dispersed Campsite
Spacious dispersed area near the Yosemite south entrance, featuring paved trailhead parking and rugged forest spur sites.
Goat Mountain A Spur Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along the Goat Mountain A Spur in the Sierra National Forest. The gravel road is generally accessible to all vehicle types, offering quick access to nearby trailheads.
Golden Ball Road BLM Dispersed
A remote dirt road corridor offering dispersed camping on BLM-managed public land near Oakhurst, California. The road winds through a rugged woodland environment suitable for self-contained rigs looking for peaceful off-grid stays. Standard 14-day stay limits apply. It offers basic access to natural surroundings outside of Yosemite's busier corridors.
Grant Grade Toll Road II Dispersed
Wooded dispersed camping corridor along the historic Grant Grade Toll Road II within the Sierra National Forest.
Greys Mountain Campground
A rustic, developed US Forest Service campground located in the Sierra National Forest near Oakhurst. It offers quiet, basic camping surrounded by a scenic pine forest, making it a peaceful mountain getaway.
Grizzily Meadow B Spur Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor along a dirt spur road in the Sierra National Forest near Oakhurst, surrounded by beautiful pine trees. This native surface road provides simple camping pull-offs in a standard wooded setting close to several mountain streams and trails.
Harris Road Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping along Harris Road within Sierra National Forest, situated just off the Golden Chain Highway on the approach to Yosemite. This area includes a mix of dirt highway pull-offs and quieter wooded sites deeper along the forest road.
High Sierra RV and Mobile Park
A fully developed commercial RV park situated along a small creek on the edge of town, offering a tiered system of sites ranging from basic tent parking to full RV hookups. Amenities include hot showers, laundry facilities, a dump station with fresh water, and on-site registration for late arrivals.
Highway Patrol Weigh Station
An active California Highway Patrol weigh station off Highway 99 where overnight recreational parking is strictly prohibited.
Hospital Ridge A Spur Dispersed
Dispersed camping options situated along the scenic Hospital Ridge A Spur within the Sierra National Forest, located a short distance from regional historic sites.
Jackass Creek Spur Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor located along a native dirt spur road in the Sierra National Forest. The area offers quiet forest surroundings and natural privacy near Jackass Butte.
Kamook Staging Area
An off-highway vehicle staging area and trailhead located in the Sierra National Forest, providing parking and access to local trail systems.
Kelty Meadow Campground
Kelty Meadow Campground is an equestrian-friendly developed site set within the Sierra National Forest. Tucked along Kelty Creek beneath a canopy of pine and cedar trees, this campground is well-suited for horse campers and standard visitors alike, offering hitching posts, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Note that drinking water is not available on site, though stock water can be pulled from the creek.
Lewis Creek Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor along Lewis Creek Road in the Sierra National Forest. Surrounded by towering pine forests, this corridor offers easy access to multiple hiking trails, trailheads, and local waterfalls.
Little Jackass Campground
A small, primitive Forest Service campground located in Sierra National Forest. Accessible via native dirt road 6S22, this secluded destination offers a quiet getaway in a wooded canyon setting.
Little Sandy Campground
A tranquil and rustic campground nestled in the Sierra National Forest along a flowing stream. The site offers spacious, primitive camping spots under towering pines, with some of the more private areas located across the creek bed.
Lone Sequoia Campground
A quiet and rustic Forest Service developed campground nestled under large trees. Located within the Sierra National Forest, it serves as an excellent base for local hikes and visiting Yosemite National Park. The camp offers basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets.
Lost Lake Campground
A charming and quiet county campground situated along the San Joaquin River. The park features first-come, first-served campsites with fire rings, concrete picnic tables, and nearby water spigots.
Love's Travel Stop - Madera
A standard commercial travel stop along US-99 in Madera. Features a large paved lot suitable for short-term resting, fast-food options, restrooms, showers, and a dump station. Highly active with heavy commercial vehicle traffic.
Love's Travel Stop #736
A spacious travel center offering overnight parking for large rigs in its heavy-duty vehicle section. Paid shorepower hookups are available on-site for those requiring an electrical connection.
Lower Chiquito Campground
Rustic developed campground situated along Chiquito Creek in the Sierra National Forest. Surrounded by dense pine forest, it offers a peaceful and scenic mountain getaway accessed via dirt forest roads.
Lower Mill Creek Spur A
Primitive dispersed camping corridor located along a quiet dirt spur in the Sierra National Forest. Positioned near the base of Greys Mountain, this area offers a peaceful wooded retreat with easy access to hiking and scenic forest landscapes.
Lower Ryan X T1 Dispersed Corridor
This Sierra National Forest corridor provides dispersed camping opportunities along a native-material dirt road. It offers a quiet, wooded setting accessible to a variety of rigs during the dry season.
Lupine Campground
Lupine Campground is situated next to Bass Lake in the Sierra National Forest. It offers a quieter, more private setting nestled further back in a dense ponderosa pine forest compared to adjacent loops. Facilities include flush toilets, drinking water, campfire rings, and paved parking spurs. Bass Lake offers boat ramp access, swimming, and motorized boating nearby.
Madera Urban Stealth Parking
This zone encompasses informal street and public parking areas in the Madera and Madera Acres vicinity, including dead-end street options and municipal airport lots. While overnight stays have been historically tolerated for low-profile rigs, local regulations restrict prolonged camping. Local authorities are highly active in the area.
Mammoth Pool A Spur T1 Dispersed
This secluded Forest Service spur road in the Sierra National Forest offers dispersed camping opportunities in a scenic pine forest setting. Accessible via a native dirt surface, it is best suited for smaller rigs looking for quiet isolation.
Miami Mountain Trail Dispersed
Dispersed camping options situated along the Miami Mountain Trail network within the Sierra National Forest, offering a quiet wooded setting close to local trailheads.
Middle Fork Iron Creek Dispersed
This scenic dirt road corridor offers quiet dispersed camping in a peaceful Sierra Nevada forest setting near Iron Mountain.
Millerton Lake SRA - Dumna Strand Campground
Dumna Strand Campground provides developed family sites near the shoreline with easy access to water recreation.
Millerton Lake SRA - Fort Miller Group Campground
Fort Miller Group Campground is designed for large groups, featuring spacious assembly areas and scenic lake views.
Millerton Lake SRA - Mono Campground
Mono Campground is a developed family campground loop offering shaded campsites close to the water on the north shore.
Millerton Lake SRA - North Shore Large Group Camp
North Shore Large Group Camp is a designated facility for large organizations or gatherings overlooking Millerton Lake.
Millerton Lake SRA - North Shore Small Group Camp
North Shore Small Group Camp accommodates small-to-medium gatherings seeking dedicated shared spaces near the reservoir.
Millerton Lake SRA - Rocky Point Campground
Rocky Point Campground offers developed campsites along the rocky shoreline of Millerton Lake, popular for lakeside activities and boating.
Millerton Lake State Recreation Area - North Shore
A scenic collection of developed campgrounds and group sites situated on the north shore of Millerton Lake State Recreation Area. This area features oak woodlands, lakeside access, and various camping configurations from standard family sites to large group areas.
Pilot Peak E Spur Dispersed
Quiet dispersed camping corridor along an off-shoot road in the Sierra National Forest. Ideal for travelers seeking isolated spots near scenic peak vistas.
Pilot Travel Center Madera
A commercial truck stop off Highway 99 offering paved parking for overnight stays. It is customary to check in with the front desk upon arrival. Onsite amenities include fuel, dining options, and basic travel services.
Pine City Ya Spur Dispersed
A quiet dirt spur road nestled in the Sierra National Forest, offering dispersed camping options surrounded by pine trees. Accessible to most vehicles during dry conditions, it provides a peaceful mountain retreat.
Placer Campground
A basic developed Forest Service campground set beneath a dense pine canopy along Mammoth Pool Road, offering quick access to regional trails.
Planet Fitness Madera
A commercial gym parking lot that may offer a standard option for low-profile stealth vehicles near local amenities.
Ponderosa Fireline Spur Dispersed
A secluded dispersed camping corridor located along the Ponderosa Fireline spur road within the Sierra National Forest. Ideal for high-clearance, short-wheelbase vehicles seeking quiet forest settings, with beautiful surrounding scenery and standard national forest dispersed access.
Quarry Range Road Dispersed
A gravel corridor winding through the Sierra National Forest near Oakhurst, providing dispersed camping opportunities. It offers convenient access to nearby Taylor Mountain trails and the Bass Lake area.
Quartz Mountain Road BLM Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor on Bureau of Land Management land near Quartz Mountain. The area features scattered pullouts along dirt access roads amidst oak and pine foothills near Coarsegold.
Recreation Point Group Campground
This developed campground is situated in a partially shaded cove on the northern end of Bass Lake, offering group-only tent camping and picnic sites. Visitors can enjoy direct lake access for swimming, boating, and hiking the nearby scenic trails.
Road 628 BLM Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor located along Road 628 on Bureau of Land Management land near Ahwahnee. The route offers secluded pullouts surrounded by typical California brush and oak woodlands.
Road 8082 BLM Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor along BLM Road 8082 in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Coarsegold.
Rock Creek B Spur T1 Dispersed
A quiet forest corridor located in the Sierra National Forest near Whisky Falls. This dirt spur road provides access to primitive dispersed camping opportunities nestled among pine trees.
Salt Block Spur Dispersed
Quiet dispersed camping options tucked along a native-dirt forest spur in the scenic Sierra National Forest. The road is accessible to most rigs but features seasonal closures.
Seven Rocks Road Dispersed
Seven Rocks is a scenic dirt road corridor in the Sierra National Forest offering dispersed camping. Accessible to standard vehicles, the road operates on a seasonal schedule.
Shuteye Peak OHV Route Dispersed
Scenic dispersed camping corridor along the Shuteye Peak OHV Route in Sierra National Forest, offering wooded campsites near Shuteye Peak. Access is via a native dirt road, suitable for most standard rigs during dry summer months.
Shuteye Peak OHV Route T2 Dispersed
This dispersed camping corridor along Shuteye Peak OHV Route T2 runs through the Sierra National Forest, offering primitive camping spots with scenic views of the surrounding mountains. The road consists of a native dirt surface and is seasonally open.
Sidewinder Trail Dispersed
This dispersed camping corridor along Sidewinder Trail offers rustic, pine-forested pull-outs within the Sierra National Forest near Lewis Creek.
Sierra Meadows
A developed campground and cabin resort located off Opah Drive in Ahwahnee, California.
Six Forks Forest Road Dispersed
A quiet dirt road corridor winding through the Sierra National Forest, offering standard dispersed camping opportunities along native soil surfaces.
Sky Ranch Road Dispersed
Scenic dispersed camping along Sky Ranch Road in the Sierra National Forest, offering roadside pull-offs near off-road vehicle trails with existing fire rings.
Soda Springs Campground
A primitive Forest Service campground situated along the scenic West Fork Chiquito Creek in the Sierra National Forest. Ideal for quiet dry camping, the area offers a rustic wooded setting with sites scattered among the pines.
Soquel Campground
A shaded, primitive developed campground situated in the Sierra National Forest along the banks of Willow Creek. The campground features two loops offering sites with dirt parking spurs, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Note that drinking water is not provided, so campers must pack in their own supply.
South Beasore Meadow Road Dispersed
This scenic dispersed camping corridor runs along a native dirt road in the Sierra National Forest, offering quiet forested sites near alpine meadows.
Speckerman Fuel Break T3
A quiet dirt corridor situated within the Sierra National Forest near Oakhurst, providing access to dispersed camping sites. The native-surface road winds through a forested setting, offering dry-weather access for self-contained rigs. It serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby trailheads and natural landmarks.
Spring Cove Campground
Shaded campground on the shores of Bass Lake, nestled within a grove of oak, pine, and cedar. It features paved, short spurs ideal for tents and smaller recreational vehicles, offering nearby hiking trails and direct access to water recreation.
Summerdale Campground
Summerdale Campground is a highly desirable developed campground situated just 1.5 miles from the south entrance of Yosemite National Park in Sierra National Forest. Nestled in a scenic meadow along Big Creek, the site features mature fir, cedar, and cottonwood trees that provide pleasant shade. Visitors can enjoy rainbow trout fishing steps from their campsites. As of Summer 2024, sites feature paved spurs and basic amenities like vault toilets and potable water, making it a convenient base camp for exploring the nearby national park.
Summit Campground
A quiet, primitive Forest Service campground located in the pine forests of the Sierra National Forest, offering vault toilets and basic sites off Summit Cutoff road.
Sweetwater Campground
A developed campground along Chiquito Creek shaded by pine, oak, and cedar. Please note that this facility has experienced wildfire damage in recent years, and some sites or amenities may be subject to ongoing restoration or temporary closure. Tight interior turns make this loop ideal for smaller rigs and campervans.
Teaford Saddle E Spur Dispersed
Located in the Sierra National Forest, this spur road provides quiet dispersed camping options among the pines. The dirt road is accessible to most standard vehicles during the dry season.
Ten Mile Grade C Spur T1 Dispersed
A scenic and rugged dispersed camping corridor on a high ridge in Sierra National Forest, offering panoramic mountain views. Access is via a seasonal dirt forest road that can be rough and narrow, making it best suited for high-clearance vehicles. The road is typically blocked by snow until late spring, with the easiest approach coming from the Fish Camp direction.
Texas Flat A Spur T2
This quiet dirt spur in the Sierra National Forest offers peaceful dispersed camping opportunities near Fresno Dome. Accessible via a native dirt road, it provides a secluded wilderness retreat surrounded by pine forest.
Texas Flats Group Campground
An equestrian-friendly developed group campground situated along the banks of McGilvery Creek in the Sierra National Forest. Surrounded by towering pines and cedars, this location provides rustic group camping options near popular hiking trails like Nelder Grove. Campers must bring their own drinking water, and reservations are typically required.
Texas Flats Mines Dispersed Area
This dispersed camping corridor is located along dirt tracks near Texas Flats Mines on BLM-managed public land. It offers primitive, unmaintained road-side pullouts with typical foothill scenery near Coarsegold.
Upper Ryan A Spur Dispersed
A quiet Forest Service spur road offering dispersed camping opportunities in the Sierra National Forest. Surrounded by pine forest, the native dirt road provides several secluded pull-outs suitable for boondocking during the open season.
Wawona Campground
A developed, scenic National Park campground located right along the river inside Yosemite National Park. It features multiple loops under a tall pine canopy, offering serene river sounds and access to hiking trails. Ideal for visitors seeking an official basecamp inside the park, though winter conditions may close some loops and water systems.
Wawona Horse Campsites
Located at the southern end of Yosemite National Park near the historic Wawona area, this specialized developed horse camp offers designated equestrian campsites. The sites are highly popular and require reservations in advance. It features direct access to various wilderness trails, including the Alder Creek Trailhead. Large pull-through spaces are designed specifically to accommodate horse trailers and medium to large rigs.
Whitechief Private Spur Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor located along Whitechief Private Spur in the Sierra National Forest, offering quiet forest surroundings close to Yosemite-area trailheads and natural attractions.
Wildcat Recreation Area Campground
A quiet campground on the southern shores of Eastman Lake, featuring primitive and dedicated equestrian camping loops with horse corrals. Tucked into the rolling oak foothills, the area is a peaceful launchpad for horseback riding, hiking, and birding.
Wishon Campground
Wishon Campground is a shaded developed campground situated on the western slopes of the Sierra National Forest, just across the road from Bass Lake. Mature pine, oak, and cedar trees, along with dense manzanita undergrowth, provide excellent privacy between the campsites. Visitors can enjoy easy access to nearby boat launches, hiking trails, and the amenities of the adjacent resort. Interior roads and parking spurs are dirt and can be bumpy, but the main access roads are well-maintained.