Dispersed Camping in Mariposa County, California
Showing 104 locations in Mariposa County.
Access Trumbal Peak
This gravel road provides access toward Trumbull Peak within the Stanislaus National Forest. Dispersed camping is permitted along the forest road corridor during the seasonal open period.
Bagby Campground - Merced Irrigation Dist.
A developed campground situated directly on the Merced River. It offers standard campsites and a few RV sites with electric hookups. Facilities include restrooms with free hot showers, picnic tables, and fire pits at each site. The access road is somewhat narrow and bumpy but manageable for most vehicles.
Barrel Springs Road
A scenic dirt road corridor winding through Sierra National Forest, offering peaceful dispersed camping options near the western gates of Yosemite.
Bowler Group Camp
A rustic developed group camping facility situated along Beasore Road in the Sierra National Forest. It offers a remote pine forest setting that is highly convenient for hikers visiting nearby trailheads like Jackass Lakes.
Briceburg Road Dispersed Camping
Briceburg Road offers scenic dispersed camping opportunities along the Merced River corridor leading into the Stanislaus National Forest. The road is accessible by passenger cars, with native dirt surfaces.
Bridalveil Creek Campground
A scenic developed campground situated along Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park, offering direct access to multiple nearby trailheads. The campground is set within a quiet pine forest and operates on a strict reservation-only basis during its seasonal operating window.
Buckingham Ridge Road Dispersed (FR T1)
A scenic dirt corridor winding through the Sierra National Forest near Midpines, offering peaceful dispersed camping opportunities. The road features a native dirt surface with pullouts nestled among the pine trees.
Camp 4
A famous walk-in tent campground situated in the heart of Yosemite Valley. Sites are shared, requiring advance online reservations, and all food must be stored in provided bear-proof lockers. Sleeping in vehicles is strictly prohibited and actively enforced.
Carstens Road Dispersed
This scenic corridor along Carstens Road offers dispersed camping opportunities within the Sierra National Forest, ideal for those seeking a rustic retreat near Midpines.
Cold Springs North Spur Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor winding through the Sierra National Forest near Quartz Mountain. The native dirt road offers secluded forest pull-offs for self-contained campers seeking a wilderness escape.
Crane Flat Campground
A developed national park campground located along Big Oak Flat Road, about 30 minutes northwest of Yosemite Valley. It offers convenient access to the nearby Merced and Tuolumne giant sequoia groves.
Crane Flat Campground
Situated inside Yosemite National Park near the Merced Grove trailhead, this developed campground offers paved access to pine-shaded sites. Reservations are required and highly competitive during the peak summer season.
Crocker Ridge Road Dispersed
Scenic dispersed camping corridor located along Crocker Ridge Road in Stanislaus National Forest, positioned just outside the Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite National Park. The road features a treated surface, making it highly accessible compared to standard dirt forest service roads.
Diamond O Campground
A scenic developed campground situated along the Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River in the Stanislaus National Forest, just outside Yosemite National Park. It features well-spaced sites shaded by mature pines, with convenient access to hiking trails and river activities.
Dimond O Campground
Nestled near the scenic Middle Fork Tuolumne River, this developed forest service campground features paved roads and spurs under a canopy of cedar and ponderosa pines. It offers easy access to Yosemite National Park and local trails, with standard amenities like picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking water.
Dirt Flat Campground
A small developed USFS campground situated on the north side of the Merced River, offering quiet walk-in tent sites.
Doc Moyle's Camp
A remote backcountry trail camp situated in the rugged high country of the Sierra Nevada. This walk-in wilderness site serves as a primitive camp for backpackers exploring near the Yosemite National Park and Ansel Adams Wilderness border.
Dry Gulch Campground
A remote developed campground offering walk-in tent sites along the Merced River, shaded by pine and oak trees.
East Fork Chiquito Creek Dispersed
A secluded forest corridor situated in the Sierra National Forest near Chiquito Trailhead. It offers dispersed camping opportunities along a native dirt and gravel road. The corridor provides convenient access to surrounding hiking trails and nearby established campgrounds.
Emigrant Wilderness Backcountry Site
A remote, hike-in backcountry campsite situated in the pristine Emigrant Wilderness near high-alpine lakes, requiring a wilderness permit for overnight stays.
Feliciana Mountain Fuel Break Dispersed
This remote corridor winds through the Sierra National Forest near Midpines, offering quiet dispersed camping along a dirt service road. The area provides peaceful wooded spots with convenient access to nearby natural landmarks.
Feliciana Mountain Road Dispersed
Feliciana Mountain Road offers convenient dispersed camping options on Sierra National Forest land just off Highway 140. The dirt and gravel road climbs into the pine forest, offering several pullouts suitable for standard vehicles and small to mid-sized rigs. While overnight parking is heavily restricted on the highway itself, the national forest land provides a legal and peaceful alternative close to local services in Midpines.
Fergeson Gulch Dispersed Area
A quiet dirt corridor winding through the Sierra National Forest foothills near Midpines, offering peaceful dispersed camping opportunities.
Ferguson Ridge
Ferguson Ridge offers quiet dispersed camping along a native dirt road in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Midpines. The area provides scenic forested settings within driving distance of regional highlights.
Fernandes Trailhead Spur
A scenic dirt spur road within the Sierra National Forest providing access to high-country trailheads. Dispersed camping is permitted along the road corridor in established pullouts.
Footman Ridge Extension T1 Dispersed
A quiet forest road corridor offering dispersed camping opportunities on native dirt spurs within the Sierra National Forest. Ideal for self-contained rigs seeking a peaceful wooded setting close to local trails.
Forest Route 1S04 Dispersed
Dispersed camping options along Forest Route 1S04 and its spurs in Stanislaus National Forest, located just outside Yosemite National Park. This corridor features several quiet pull-offs with scenic views and fire rings. The dirt and gravel road requires cautious driving, particularly for low-profile vehicles.
Forest Spur Dispersed (Outside Hetch Hetchy)
Dispersed camping corridor located on a Stanislaus National Forest spur road just outside of Yosemite's Hetch Hetchy entrance. The area features shaded pull-outs nestled among the pine trees and is a convenient, free option close to the park. Large pull-through options are available not far off the main road.
Forest Spur Dispersed Area
A quiet dirt spur road off Briceburg Road offering seasonal dispersed camping in the Stanislaus National Forest.
Forest Spur Dispersed Area
A rugged dirt spur road within the Stanislaus National Forest near Midpines, offering quiet, dispersed camping opportunities surrounded by native pine forest.
Forest Spur Dispersed Camping
A quiet dispersed camping corridor along a native-material Forest Service spur road in the Stanislaus National Forest. Ideal for travelers seeking a basic wooded retreat with typical national forest surroundings.
Forest Spur Dispersed
A quiet National Forest spur road located near Midpines, California. Set within the scenic Stanislaus National Forest, this corridor offers primitive dispersed camping along its dirt track.
Forest Spur Dispersed
This forest spur offers dispersed camping in the Stanislaus National Forest, close to Merced Grove. The road is a native-surface dirt road typically open seasonally from mid-April to mid-December.
Forest Spur Dispersed
This quiet dispersed camping area is located along a dirt forest spur in the Stanislaus National Forest, offering standard primitive forest settings.
Forest Spur Dispersed
A quiet spur road located within the Stanislaus National Forest, offering primitive dispersed camping along a dirt corridor surrounded by pine trees.
Forest Spur Dispersed
A quiet Forest Service spur road in Stanislaus National Forest, offering dispersed camping close to Carlon Falls and the Yosemite boundary. The native-surface road is generally suitable for passenger vehicles.
Forest Spur Dispersed
A native-surface forest spur road in Stanislaus National Forest, offering quiet dispersed camping opportunities with seasonal access.
Forest Spur Dispersed
A quiet forest spur located in the Stanislaus National Forest near Yosemite, offering dispersed camping opportunities along a native dirt road. The area provides a peaceful, wooded setting with convenient access to nearby outdoor recreation.
Hardin Flat Road Dispersed Camping (FR 1S70 / 2S30)
This highly popular dispersed camping corridor along Hardin Flat Road and Golden Arrow Road sits just minutes outside the Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite National Park. Nestled within the Groveland Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest, it offers numerous pullouts ranging from paved roadside spaces to deeper dirt roads adjacent to scenic creeks. Larger RVs and trailers can find level ground in the wider pullouts closer to the main road, while high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles can access more secluded, deeply forested sites. The area is heavily utilized by visitors accessing the national park, especially during the peak summer season.
Hardin Flat Road Dispersed
This corridor along Forest Road 1S75 (Hardin Flat Road) offers dispersed camping options in the Stanislaus National Forest, just outside Yosemite National Park. The area features quiet, wooded spurs with native dirt and gravel surfaces, providing a convenient staging area near the park. While some spots can be unlevel, there are several flat clearings suitable for vans and small RVs. The surrounding pine forest is peaceful and scenic.
Hetch Hetchy Road Corridor
This zone covers the paved corridor of Hetch Hetchy Road leading to the O'Shaughnessy Dam within Yosemite National Park. Surrounded by stunning granite cliffs and pine forests, this scenic area is strictly regulated under national park rules. Overnight vehicle parking is only permitted for wilderness permit holders at designated trailheads, and sleeping in vehicles or dispersed camping is completely prohibited.
Hite Cove OHV Route (FR T2) Dispersed
This scenic Sierra Nevada dirt corridor offers dispersed camping options along a rugged Forest Service OHV track near Midpines. Surrounded by pine forest and mountain terrain, it provides a quiet escape with quick access to regional mining history.
Hodgdon Meadow Campground
Located near the Big Oak Flat entrance of Yosemite National Park, Hodgdon Meadow Campground offers over a hundred heavily wooded sites. While the location provides excellent proximity to park attractions, the sites are highly crowded and many feature sloped, uneven parking. Mandatory bear-safe food storage is strictly enforced here, and reservations must be booked well in advance during peak season.
Indian Flat RV Park
A private RV park located along Incline Road, just outside Yosemite National Park. Offers cramped but shaded sites with full hookups, hot showers, and pool access at the adjacent lodge.
Jackass Creek D Spur
A quiet dirt spur road situated within the Sierra National Forest near the Jackass Lakes Trailhead. It provides rustic dispersed camping opportunities in a scenic pine forest setting.
Kinsley Station Driveway Dispersed
A wooded corridor located within the Stanislaus National Forest, offering dispersed roadside camping options on a gravel aggregate road. It provides a peaceful setting with straightforward forest access.
Linkletter Ranch Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along Linkletter Ranch Road and connecting spurs in Stanislaus National Forest. Features quiet forest pull-offs with level spots suitable for standard vehicles looking for rustic camping near Midpines.
Lower Jackass Lake Campground
A primitive backcountry campground situated along the shores of Lower Jackass Lake, accessible via a hiking trail.
Lower Pines Campground
Located adjacent to the Merced River, Lower Pines Campground offers unparalleled access to major Yosemite Valley trails and landmarks. The paved sites are closely spaced but highly scenic, making them perfect for both families and RVers. Due to extreme popularity, reservations open months ahead of time and sell out almost instantly.
Lyell Canyon Backcountry Camp
A hike-in wilderness campsite located near the Yosemite National Park boundary below Donohue Pass.
Mahan Peak Backcountry Campsite
This remote wilderness hike-in campsite is located in the backcountry of Yosemite National Park near Mahan Peak and requires a valid wilderness permit for overnight stays.
Mariposa Fairgrounds Campground
A large and versatile county fairgrounds campground offering both full-hookup RV sites and grassy areas for tents and vans. While RV parking is situated closer to the road, tent and passenger vehicle campers can find quiet spots deeper within the property.
Mariposa Urban Stealth Parking
This urban zone in Mariposa includes options for roadside street parking and an undeveloped dirt lot. Visitors should note that local municipal policies restrict vehicle habitation in public and municipal lots, making low-profile parking highly advisable. The area offers flat parking close to downtown businesses, restaurants, and laundromats.
May Lake High Sierra Campground
A beautiful walk-in backcountry campground located near May Lake in Yosemite National Park. Accessed via a 1.2-mile hike from the trailhead, this area offers sweeping views of Mount Hoffman and includes communal fire rings, bear boxes, and a vault toilet.
McCabe Flat Campground
Located along the scenic Merced River within the Merced River Recreation Management Area, this developed BLM campground offers basic sites equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Access requires crossing a historic, narrow suspension bridge at Briceburg that imposes strict weight limits and tight turn radiuses, making it unsuitable for large RVs and trailers. The road following the bridge is a bumpy, unpaved route with minor potholes but is passable for passenger cars and vans. The campground is popular for river swimming, rafting, and gold panning, though it can experience heavy local traffic and noise during summer weekends.
Merced River Canyon Highway Pullouts
A series of wide, paved roadside pullouts along Highway 140 within the Merced River Canyon. These pullouts offer convenient, basic overnight parking close to the Yosemite National Park entrance, though they lack privacy and are highly exposed to traffic.
Mount Gibson Wilderness Point
Located within Yosemite National Park near Rancheria Falls, this wilderness point requires a backcountry permit for overnight stays, and vehicle camping is strictly prohibited.
North Pines Campground
North Pines Campground sits in the heart of Yosemite Valley, surrounded by towering pines and granite walls near the Merced River. It features highly sought-after, paved campsites suitable for RVs and trailers, though competition is fierce. Operating on an early-access lottery system, reservations are essential and must be secured months in advance.
Nutmeg Spring A Spur T1
A quiet dirt spur road offering dispersed camping opportunities within the Sierra National Forest. The route is composed of native material and is accessible to standard vehicles.
Old Wawona Road Parking
Located along Old Wawona Road near the iconic Tunnel View, this paved parking area serves day-use visitors to Yosemite National Park and strictly prohibits overnight parking or camping.
Piute Mountain Backcountry Camping
A remote, hike-in backcountry camping area located in the northern wilderness of Yosemite National Park near Piute Mountain.
Polly Dome Trailhead Area
This hike-in access point near Polly Dome in Yosemite National Park requires a wilderness permit for all overnight backcountry stays.
Porcupine Flat Campground
Porcupine Flat Campground is a rustic, high-country developed campground located along Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park. It offers standard primitive campsites in a quiet pine forest setting with nearby creek access. The campground requires reservations in advance, has no potable water, and features vault toilets.
Potter Point Backcountry Campsite I
A remote, hike-in backcountry campsite located in Yosemite National Park near Potter Point that is accessible only via wilderness trails.
Potter Point Backcountry Campsite II
A secluded mountain backcountry campsite located near Potter Point in Yosemite National Park requiring a trail hike to access.
Potter Point Wilderness Backcountry
A alpine wilderness camping area near Potter Point in Yosemite National Park. These hike-in sites are only accessible by foot and require a wilderness permit from the National Park Service.
Railroad Flat Campground
Situated in the scenic Merced River Canyon downstream from Yosemite, this developed Bureau of Land Management campground features sites right beside the water under shade trees. Popular for whitewater boating, swimming, and gold panning, the facility provides basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, food storage lockers, and vault toilets.
Rancheria Falls Backpackers Camp
A backcountry hike-in wilderness campsite located near Rancheria Falls in the Hetch Hetchy reservoir area of Yosemite National Park, requiring a wilderness permit for overnight stays.
Red Bud Road Dispersed
This dispersed camping corridor along Red Bud Road offers scenic roadside pull-outs in the Sierra National Forest.
Sawmill Mountain Dispersed Camping
A scenic forest road corridor winding through Stanislaus National Forest near Sawmill Mountain. The gravel route provides access to several dispersed roadside campsites suited for those seeking a quiet mountain setting.
Sawmill Mountain Road Dispersed
This scenic dispersed camping corridor along Sawmill Mountain Road sits within the Stanislaus National Forest, offering convenient access to the western boundary of Yosemite National Park and the Carlon Falls Trailhead.
Snyder Ridge A Spur Dispersed
This quiet dirt spur in the Sierra National Forest provides direct motorized access to dispersed camping opportunities near Midpines. Surrounded by pine forest, it offers a peaceful wilderness experience with easy access.
Stanislaus Forest Road Spur
A quiet dirt spur within the Stanislaus National Forest, ideal for dispersed camping. The native material road is open to motorhomes and passenger vehicles, offering a secluded forest setting near Midpines.
Stanislaus Forest Spur 1ece6e25
This dirt forest spur in the Stanislaus National Forest provides access to quiet dispersed camping opportunities just outside Yosemite.
Stanislaus Forest Spur 29633d2e
This scenic dirt spur in Stanislaus National Forest provides secluded dispersed camping options. The unpaved road is accessible to passenger cars during dry conditions.
Stanislaus Forest Spur 64b19ef4
A native-material forest spur offering quiet, primitive dispersed camping in a wooded setting near Yosemite.
Stanislaus Forest Spur 9747d30b
A quiet forest spur located within Stanislaus National Forest, offering dispersed camping opportunities. The road features a native material surface that is typically passable for standard passenger vehicles.
Stanislaus Forest Spur Dispersed
A quiet dirt spur road nestled in the pine woods of Stanislaus National Forest, offering primitive dispersed camping in a typical wooded setting. The road provides easy access to nearby trails and the surrounding wilderness.
Stanislaus Forest Spur Dispersed
A scenic dispersed camping corridor situated along a Forest Service spur road in the Stanislaus National Forest, offering secluded camping options in a wooded environment.
Stanislaus Forest Spur Dispersed
A quiet forest spur road located within the Stanislaus National Forest, offering dispersed camping. The route features a crushed aggregate or gravel surface that is generally accessible to most passenger vehicles during the open season.
Stanislaus Forest Spur
A native-material dirt road spur in Stanislaus National Forest offering easily accessible dispersed camping opportunities. Suitable for most vehicles, this corridor provides a quiet wooded setting near Midpines.
Stanislaus Forest Spur
A secluded forest road spur located in the Stanislaus National Forest, offering primitive dispersed camping options just outside the boundary of Yosemite National Park.
Stanislaus Forest Spur
A quiet dispersed camping corridor along a Forest Service spur road in the Stanislaus National Forest, offering wooded sites on a native dirt surface. This road is suitable for standard vehicles in dry weather and provides a quiet retreat near local peaks.
Stanislaus Forest Spur Road
A quiet dirt spur road located within the Stanislaus National Forest near Midpines, offering primitive dispersed camping. The native material road surface is generally suitable for passenger vehicles and larger motorhomes.
Stanislaus National Forest - Forest Spur Dispersed
A quiet dirt spur located within the Stanislaus National Forest, offering dispersed camping. Accessible via paved routes leading to the dirt road, it is suitable for standard vehicles and smaller motorhomes during dry conditions.
Stanislaus National Forest Dispersed Camping
A quiet dispersed camping pull-off situated on Stanislaus National Forest land just outside Yosemite Valley.
Stanislaus National Forest Dispersed Camping
This dispersed camping site is located in a quiet, heavily forested area of the Stanislaus National Forest, offering convenient access to the nearby national park.
Sweetwater Ridge Road Dispersed
This forest road corridor offers dispersed camping options winding along Sweetwater Ridge in the Sierra foothills. It provides a peaceful setting within reach of the regional highway.
Tamarack Flat Campground
A primitive, forest-shaded developed campground located off the Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park. It offers a secluded natural setting with basic amenities such as pit toilets and picnic tables. The narrow, three-mile paved access road and rough interior loops make it unsuitable for larger RVs and trailers. Campsites are nestled in the trees near Tamarack Creek, providing a peaceful wilderness experience.
Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes
A large and well-equipped developed resort campground situated in the woods along a small river, offering full hookups and convenient access to Yosemite National Park.
Tiltill Mountain Backcountry Camp
A remote wilderness hike-in backcountry site located in northern Yosemite National Park near Tiltill Mountain, accessible only via foot trails.
Upper Chiquito Campground
Upper Chiquito Campground is a rustic developed Forest Service facility situated along Beasore Road, offering basic camping sites near the Chiquito Trailhead.
Upper Jackass Lake Campground
A scenic backcountry campground located at Upper Jackass Lake, requiring a hike-in trek from the trailhead.
Upper Pines Campground
Upper Pines Campground is located in the scenic valley of Yosemite National Park. Operating year-round, it offers designated non-electric campsites surrounded by towering trees and granite walls. Amenities include flush toilets, fresh water, and an on-site dump station, with convenient access to trailheads and the park shuttle system. Reservations are highly competitive and must be made well in advance.
Vogelsang Backpacker Camp
A scenic hike-in wilderness campground located in Yosemite National Park, reserved strictly for backpackers holding valid wilderness permits.
Wawona Campground
This historic developed campground sits along the South Fork Merced River in southern Yosemite National Park. It is highly convenient for visiting the nearby Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, though sites fill up almost instantly when reservations open.
White Wolf Campground
White Wolf Campground is a tranquil, pine-shaded developed camping area located in Yosemite National Park off Tioga Road. Positioned away from the crowded main valley, it serves as an excellent base for hiking to Lukens and Harden Lakes.
Wildhaven Yosemite Glamping
Wildhaven Yosemite Glamping is a premium, private glamping resort near Mariposa offering comfortable safari-style tents and upscale amenities for travelers visiting the Yosemite area.
Willow Placer Campground
A scenic developed campground situated directly along the Merced River, offering convenient access to whitewater rafting, swimming, and gold panning. Nestled in the river canyon, this site provides standard BLM amenities just outside the boundary of Yosemite National Park.
Yellow Pine Designated Group Sites
A managed group camping area in Yosemite Valley. These walk-in sites are designated for official group bookings and park volunteer programs, and are not open to general public dispersed camping.
Yosemite Creek Campground
Tucked away among the pines, this primitive campground sits adjacent to a peaceful creek. Access is a rugged journey down a five-mile, single-lane dirt road, making it a quiet retreat for tent campers and small vans.
Yosemite National Park
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Yosemite Valley Backpackers Campground
This walk-in campground is reserved strictly for backpackers holding valid wilderness permits for the night before or after their backcountry trips.
Yosemite Wilderness Campsite
A remote wilderness hike-in campsite requiring a valid National Park Service permit and bear-resistant food containers.