Dispersed Camping in Placer County, California
Showing 166 locations in Placer County.
24 Hour Fitness Roseville
A paved suburban fitness center parking lot in Roseville, suitable primarily for low-profile vehicles and short-term overnight stays.
Ahart Campground
Nestled along the tree-covered banks of the Middle Fork of the American River near French Meadows Reservoir, this remote forest campground offers scenic, quiet sites in a coniferous forest setting. It serves as an excellent base for fishing, boating, and trail exploration in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Airport Flat Campground
Airport Flat Campground is a free, developed campground managed by the U.S. Forest Service in the Eldorado National Forest. Accessible via Forest Road 33, it offers vault toilets and bear boxes. Sites are arranged in group-friendly pods, making it a great base camp near Gerle Creek.
American River District, Tahoe National Forest
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Anytime Fitness - Rocklin
A paved commercial parking lot located in Rocklin, California, offering short-term parking options near local services.
Anytime Fitness Roseville
This Anytime Fitness parking lot in Roseville offers a paved commercial space suitable for a quick, low-profile overnight stay.
Auburn Gold Country Park
A developed park and fairgrounds setup offering full campground services, overflow camping sites, and a convenient dump station with potable water. It serves as a practical overnight option when traveling along Highway 49.
Auburn State Recreation Area - Highway 49 Corridor
Paved roadside pull-offs located along the scenic Highway 49 canyon within the boundaries of the Auburn State Recreation Area. This area is highly patrolled, and overnight parking or sleeping in vehicles is strictly banned in all day-use pull-offs and trailheads.
Auburn State Recreation Area - River Permit Camping
This permit-only river camping area within Auburn State Recreation Area is accessible via hiking trails or boat-in access along the American River. Permits and reservations are required in advance, offering a scenic and secluded option for hike-in campers.
Barney Cavanah Spur Dispersed Camping
Barney Cavanah Spur provides dispersed camping opportunities along a native dirt road corridor within Tahoe National Forest. Standard high-clearance vehicles are recommended, and the route is subject to seasonal winter closures.
Beacroft Road Dispersed
Forested dispersed camping corridor along Beacroft Road within Tahoe National Forest. This area offers highly quiet and secluded spots close to local trailheads, though the native-surface access road features narrow passages and tight curves.
Bear Creek Trailhead Access Road
A scenic dirt corridor located within the Tahoe National Forest, offering dispersed camping opportunities along the native-surface trailhead access road.
Bear State Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor located within Eldorado National Forest along Bear State Road. The route offers pullouts in a wooded setting suitable for various rig types under dry conditions.
Big Meadows Campground
Big Meadows Campground is a quiet, developed campground nestled in the Eldorado National Forest. It provides a peaceful forest setting with easy access to hiking and outdoor recreation.
Big Reservoir Campground
Big Reservoir Campground is a developed Forest Service facility situated near Foresthill adjacent to Big Reservoir and Morning Star Campground. It offers lakeside access and standard campground amenities under a canopy of pine trees.
Big Valley Bluff Road Dispersed Camping
A scenic forest road corridor offering dispersed camping in Tahoe National Forest. Standard USFS rules apply along this dirt road.
Black Bear Campground
A quiet, smaller developed campground located near French Meadows Reservoir under the shade of the Tahoe National Forest canopy. Offers asphalt access roads and a peaceful forest setting suitable for motorhomes and standard passenger vehicles.
Blackwood Canyon Road Corridor
Situated in a scenic canyon near Lake Tahoe, this corridor provides access to Barker Pass, OHV trails, and Blackwood Campground, a small developed U.S. Forest Service site. The surrounding pine forest is recovering from active forest management, and camping is restricted to designated sites.
Brimstone OHV Staging Area
This staging area in Tahoe National Forest is primarily utilized by off-highway vehicles and provides a large, open dirt parking flat. It features vault toilets and serves as a direct access point to nearby OHV trail networks. Daytime hours can be active and loud with riders, but nights are typically quiet.
Buckeye Flat 4WD Road Dispersed
Wooded dispersed camping corridor located along the Buckeye Flat 4WD road within Eldorado National Forest.
Camp Wreckum Spur
Dispersed forest sites situated along a native dirt spur road in the Eldorado National Forest. This area provides standard rustic camping under the pine canopy with easy access to nearby hiking around Slick Rock and Four Cornered Peak.
Carnelian Bay Beach Access & Stealth Zone
An urban beach access area on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, encompassing public beach parking lots and adjacent side streets near Carnelian Bay. While highly scenic and featuring immediate lake access, local municipal codes strictly prohibit vehicle camping and overnight sleeping on public property. Active early morning enforcement and parking restrictions make overnight stays highly discouraged.
Casa Loma Tract
A scenic gravel road corridor in the Tahoe National Forest providing dispersed camping access near the Euchre Bar Trailhead.
Chicken Hawk Campground
Chicken Hawk Campground is a primitive US Forest Service camping area located off Hidden Treasure Road in Tahoe National Forest.
Chinawall OHV Staging Area
An OHV staging area in Tahoe National Forest that serves as a spacious gateway to local dirt trails and is accessible to all vehicle types. It provides a convenient, gravel-surfaced base camp for recreation with seasonal motorized access.
Chipmunk Ridge Dispersed Camping
This scenic forest ridge road offers quiet dispersed camping opportunities nestled deep within the pine forest. The route is accessible for most vehicle types during dry conditions.
Chipmunk Ridge West
This native material forest road offers quiet dispersed camping opportunities within Eldorado National Forest near Foresthill.
Cottage Home Creek Dispersed Camping
A scenic National Forest road corridor offering dispersed camping within the Tahoe National Forest. The native dirt road winds through dense pine forests, providing rustic roadside pullouts suitable for self-contained rigs.
Coyote Group Campground
A remote group camping facility on the northeast end of French Meadows Reservoir, managed by Tahoe National Forest. This spot is ideal for larger parties seeking water activities like fishing, boating, and swimming, or access to nearby hiking trails leading into the Granite Chief Wilderness.
Cracker Barrel Loomis
A standard commercial overnight option offering dedicated, level RV parking lanes behind the restaurant. Expect significant highway noise due to proximity to the interstate, but the location is well-lit and welcoming with manager approval.
Crags Spur Dispersed
Crags Spur offers dispersed camping options along a native dirt road in the Tahoe National Forest. The area is heavily wooded and provides convenient access to nearby hiking trails.
D.L. Bliss State Park - Group Campground
A developed group camping area within the state park, surrounded by pine trees and offering easy access to Lake Tahoe trails. Paved parking spurs and group amenities are provided.
D.L. Bliss State Park - Hike and Bike Campground
A dedicated campsite area within D.L. Bliss State Park set aside specifically for travelers arriving by foot or bicycle. It provides a simple, wooded setting for non-motorized visitors close to the lake trails.
D.L. Bliss State Park - Lester Beach
Situated along the scenic shores of Lake Tahoe in D.L. Bliss State Park, this prime lakeside spot offers direct access to Lester Beach and the Rubicon Trail. The campground is heavily wooded and tightly spaced, with strict vehicle length restrictions due to narrow, winding access roads.
D.L. Bliss State Park - Pines Campground
A scenic developed campground situated in the pine forests of D.L. Bliss State Park, offering close access to the Rubicon Trail and Lake Tahoe's shores. Sites are tightly spaced and best suited for tents, campervans, and very small trailers.
D.L. Bliss State Park - Ridge Campground
A developed campground loop situated on a forested ridge, featuring standard individual sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Convenient to the Rubicon Trail and Lester Beach.
Desolation Wilderness - Fontanillis & Dicks Lakes
A pristine, high-alpine wilderness camping zone centered around Fontanillis Lake and Dicks Lake in the Eldorado National Forest. Accessible only by challenging backpacking trails, this area features dramatic granite peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and strictly regulated backcountry campsites.
Dicks Lake Dispersed Backcountry
Dispersed backcountry campsites situated near the shores of Dicks Lake, offering a scenic wilderness setting for backpackers exploring the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Double O Mine Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along Double O Mine Road in Tahoe National Forest, offering forested sites on a native dirt surface.
Drum Power House Road Dispersed
Drum Powerhouse Road runs through a scenic portion of the Tahoe National Forest, offering dispersed camping opportunities on paved to chip-sealed surfaces. The route winds near the South Yuba River canyon, providing access to scenic views and wooded pull-offs. Standard Tahoe National Forest dispersed regulations apply.
Eldorado Forest Spur Dispersed Camping
A scenic dispersed camping corridor situated on a National Forest spur road within the Eldorado National Forest, offering quiet, shaded camping opportunities close to Wrights Lake and the Rockbound Trailhead.
Ellis Lake Road Dispersed
This forest road corridor offers quiet dispersed camping opportunities within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. The road winds through a beautiful pine forest and is close to local trailheads like Knee Ridge and Ellis Peak.
Emerald Bay State Park - Boat Camp
A scenic, boat-in and hike-in developed campground located along the pristine shores of Emerald Bay.
End Of The World Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping corridor along End Of The World road in Eldorado National Forest. This unpaved route offers quiet, forested settings with standard dirt road access suitable for most vehicles in dry conditions.
Fontanillis Lake Backcountry Camping
A pristine alpine backcountry camping area along the shores of Fontanillis Lake. Accessible only via backpacking trails, it features stunning granite surroundings and deep wilderness solitude.
Forbes Creek Forest Road Dispersed Camping
Forbes Creek Forest Road offers dispersed camping opportunities along a dirt corridor in the Tahoe National Forest near Foresthill, California.
Forbes Creek Group Campground
Forbes Creek Group Campground offers two spacious group sites, Madrone and Rocky Ridge, nestled near the southeast shore of Sugar Pine Reservoir in Tahoe National Forest. Each group area is equipped with central cooking facilities, picnic spaces, and large campfire circles, making it ideal for club events, family reunions, and larger gatherings. Visitors can easily access the reservoir for fishing, canoeing, and swimming via a nearby trail network.
Forest Road 0088-050 Dispersed
This Forest Service road offers access to rustic dispersed camping opportunities within the Tahoe National Forest, positioned near Robinson Flat. The route consists of native dirt material and is seasonally accessible.
Forest Road 0088-054 Dispersed
Scenic dispersed camping corridor located along Forest Road 0088-054 in the Tahoe National Forest. This area features native dirt surfaces and offers beautiful mountain views with quiet, pine-shaded sites, though access is limited to the warmer months.
Forest Road 0088-057 Dispersed
Dispersed camping options exist along this native-surface forest road in the Tahoe National Forest. The corridor offers rustic sites nestled among mature pine trees, ideal for self-contained campers seeking a natural environment.
Forest Road 0096-062 Dispersed
This forest road corridor offers dispersed camping options within the Tahoe National Forest, featuring standard native dirt road access.
Forest Spur Dispersed Camping
This forest road corridor offers dispersed camping opportunities along a native-surface spur road in Eldorado National Forest. The area provides basic roadside pullouts suitable for those seeking a quiet forest stay.
Foresthill Divide Spur Dispersed
This dirt spur road within the Tahoe National Forest offers seasonal dispersed camping opportunities among the pine trees. The native-material road is accessible to most standard vehicles during dry conditions, but can become muddy and impassable during wet weather.
French Meadows Boat Ramp & Day Use
This access road leads to the French Meadows Boat Ramp and day-use area on the shores of French Meadows Reservoir. Overnight camping is prohibited in this day-use area, though it serves as a scenic access point during the open season.
French Meadows Campground
French Meadows Campground is located along the shores of French Meadows Reservoir in Tahoe National Forest. It offers single-family campsites equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. Popular activities include boating, canoeing, fishing, and swimming, with a boat ramp located adjacent to the campground.
French Meadows Spur Dispersed
This Tahoe National Forest spur road offers remote dispersed camping options along a native dirt surface. It provides quiet campsites within a pine forest setting, suitable for various rig sizes during dry conditions.
Friends of the Rubicon Camping Area
A primitive, rugged camping area located along the legendary Rubicon Trail. This site caters strictly to seasoned off-roaders and hikers seeking a basecamp surrounded by the dense pine forests and granite slabs of the Sierra Nevada.
Gates Group Campground
Gates Group Campground is nestled on the North Fork of the American River at the northern end of French Meadows Reservoir. Located in the majestic Tahoe National Forest, this site offers three group campsites that can accommodate groups up to 75 people. Visitors can enjoy excellent trout fishing, boating, and hiking into the adjacent Granite Chief Wilderness.
Gerle Creek Campground
Gerle Creek Campground is located on the banks of the Gerle Creek Fork within the Eldorado National Forest. The campground features single and double-family campsites equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings. Vault toilets are available on-site, and visitors can enjoy recreational activities including fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. The fully accessible Gerle Creek Interpretive Trail provides scenic views of the surrounding forest.
Giant Gap Campground
Giant Gap Campground is situated on the scenic northern shore of Sugar Pine Reservoir within Tahoe National Forest. The campground features shaded campsites set among towering ponderosa pines and cedar trees, with picnic tables, campfire rings, and vault toilets. Popular recreational activities include boating, canoeing, swimming, and hiking the paved trail circling the shoreline.
Granite Chief Wilderness Backcountry
A secluded hike-in backcountry camping spot located in the rugged terrain of the Granite Chief Wilderness.
Granite Chief Wilderness Trailside Camp
A primitive trailside camping area located along backcountry paths in the Granite Chief Wilderness, ideal for backpackers seeking quiet seclusion surrounded by pine forest.
Granite Springs Road Dispersed
This quiet forest road winds through the pine-dominated landscape of Eldorado National Forest, offering primitive dispersed camping along its corridor. Situated in the scenic mountains west of Lake Tahoe, it provides a peaceful wilderness escape with native dirt pull-outs.
Handy Camp
Handy Camp is a primitive backcountry campsite located along Lower Handy Spur in the scenic Tahoe National Forest.
Hell Hole Campground
Hell Hole Campground is situated near the scenic Hell Hole Reservoir in Eldorado National Forest, offering tent and trailer camping under a canopy of pines. Access is via paved but winding forest service roads, making it a quiet and remote getaway ideal for lake recreation. This developed site provides a rustic camping experience near hiking trails and water activities.
Home Depot Lincoln
A flat paved parking lot at a Home Depot in Lincoln. Overnight stays are permitted with manager approval. The lot is level and adjacent to a walking path, though periodic train noise can be heard from nearby railroad tracks.
Ice House Wrights Lake Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along the native dirt surface of Ice House Wrights Lake Road within Eldorado National Forest, offering scenic settings near local trailheads.
Iowa Hill Road Canyon Pull-off
A scenic pull-off along the steep and winding Iowa Hill Road overlooking the North Fork American River canyon, where dispersed camping is prohibited.
Jefferson City Dispersed
This dirt road corridor offers quiet dispersed camping opportunities within Eldorado National Forest near Foresthill. The route consists of native dirt surface that is typically accessible by standard vehicles in dry conditions.
Kaspian Campground
Developed walk-in campground situated in a mature pine forest directly across from Lake Tahoe. The site offers nine tent-only campsites requiring a short walk from the paved parking area, making it unsuitable for RV or vehicle camping. Amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, bear-proof food storage lockers, and flush toilets.
Kings Beach Urban Stealth Parking
An urban residential area in Kings Beach near Lake Tahoe. Street parking is highly regulated, particularly during the winter months due to seasonal maintenance.
Lake Forest Campground
A basic municipal campground on the corner of Rose Avenue featuring around 10 simple campsites. It is situated in a quieter part of town near a baseball field, playground, and boat ramp, offering quick access to the lake. The sites feature level pads layered with wood chips, picnic tables, and fire pits.
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit near Dollar Point, CA
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Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit near Kings Beach, CA
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Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit near Tahoma, CA
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Lewis Campground
A scenic developed campground on the north shore of French Meadows Reservoir within Tahoe National Forest. It offers paved roads, spacious campsites with grills and picnic tables, flush toilets, and drinking water. Visitors can enjoy easy access to boating, canoeing, and swimming at the reservoir, along with hiking trails like the Western States Trail.
Little Duncan Road Dispersed
This forest road corridor offers dispersed camping opportunities in the Tahoe National Forest near Duncan Peak. The route is composed of native dirt materials and winds through a quiet pine forest, providing moderate privacy.
Loon Lake Campground
Developed campground situated on the southern shores of Loon Lake, featuring waterfront campsites, boat ramp access, and close proximity to the Rubicon Jeep Trail.
Loon Lake Chalet
A semi-rustic, three-story rental cabin offering scenic views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and year-round backcountry skiing or hiking access.
Loon Lake Dispersed Area
Scenic dispersed camping areas located in dirt turnouts along Loon Lake and Ice House Road, offering quiet waterfront options outside developed campgrounds.
Loon Lake Dump Station
An official Eldorado National Forest utility facility near Loon Lake. It serves as a dump station for motorhomes and trailers, but overnight camping is strictly prohibited.
Loop Gas Station Parking
A paved commercial lot behind a 24-hour convenience store and gas station. It serves as a reliable alternative in the area, though space is limited to standard parking spots, making it unsuitable for large rigs or trailers. Always ask the on-duty clerk for permission before parking.
Martis Peak Road Dispersed
A scenic dirt road corridor wind-climbing Martis Peak in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, offering quiet dispersed camping opportunities under the pines. It provides scenic vistas and seasonal access from late spring through late autumn.
Martis Slope Road Dispersed
A rustic forest road corridor climbing through the pine forests of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit near Martis Peak. The dirt road offers quiet, dispersed sites suited for self-contained rigs during the dry season.
Maud Lake Wilderness Camping
Maud Lake backcountry camping offers a pristine alpine experience in the heart of the Desolation Wilderness. Accessible only by foot via the Rockbound Trail, campers can find several primitive wilderness spots nestled in the granite basin surrounding the lake. The area showcases spectacular mountain backdrops and a serene lakefront environment.
McKinstry Creek Road Dispersed
This quiet forest service road winds through Eldorado National Forest near McKinstry Peak, offering secluded dispersed camping opportunities along native dirt tracks.
McKinstry Water Dispersed
McKinstry Water is a rugged dirt road corridor traversing the Eldorado National Forest near Jerrett Peak. It offers primitive, dispersed camping options along a native material surface suitable for high-clearance vehicles.
Meadow Vista Park & Ride Dirt Lot
A spacious dirt pull-off area situated opposite the official paved Park and Ride lot. While the paved lot prohibits parking between 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM, the adjacent unpaved area offers a convenient option for quick overnight stops. Significant highway noise is present due to the immediate proximity to the interstate.
Mears Spur
A quiet Forest Service corridor located within the Tahoe National Forest, offering native-surface spur routes suitable for seasonal dispersed camping.
Meeks Bay Resort & Campground
A historic lakeside resort and campground managed by the US Forest Service in partnership with the Washoe Tribe, offering stunning scenery right on the sandy shores of Lake Tahoe. The site features a mix of developed campsites, paved flat RV pads, cabins, and direct beach access. It serves as an excellent base for exploring the Desolation Wilderness via nearby trailheads, though rules are strictly enforced and pets are prohibited.
Middle Fork Power House Road
This dispersed camping corridor along Middle Fork Power House Road in Tahoe National Forest offers peaceful wooded sites near Foresthill. The road consists of a native dirt surface and provides seasonal motorhome access.
Mineral Bar Campground
A small developed state park campground nestled along the North Fork of the American River. It features roughly 14 campsites primarily suited for tents and small campervans due to the narrow, winding access descent.
Mineral Point Spur Dispersed
A quiet dirt spur road offering dispersed camping opportunities within the Tahoe National Forest. The native-surface road winds through scenic pine forest, providing a peaceful and secluded setting.
Mitchell Mine Spur Dispersed
Primitive dispersed camping sites located along the Mitchell Mine Spur within the Tahoe National Forest. This area offers standard forested pull-offs along a native dirt road.
Monumental Creek Spur Dispersed
A primitive dirt spur road winding through Tahoe National Forest, providing quiet spots for dispersed camping. Surrounded by towering pine forests, this corridor offers high privacy and quiet evenings in nature.
Mosquito Ridge Lookout Dispersed
This seasonal forest road corridor in the Tahoe National Forest offers quiet dispersed camping opportunities. It features a native dirt surface accessible to most vehicles during dry conditions.
Mosquito Ridge Lookout Spur Dispersed
A scenic native-material dirt road spur climbing through the Tahoe National Forest near Foresthill, offering secluded dispersed camping opportunities on natural terrain near historic mining areas.
Mosquito Ridge Spur
Quiet dispersed camping options along the Mosquito Ridge Spur in Tahoe National Forest. This dirt spur road offers shaded pullouts suitable for smaller rigs and campervans during the summer operating season.
Mt. Watson Boulevard & Watson Lake
A scenic mountain corridor along Mount Watson Boulevard leading to Watson Lake within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. The route offers rustic campsites near the small lake, featuring food storage lockers and vault toilets. Access is best achieved from Highway 267 to the west, as alternative routes from the lakeside can be rough or restricted by private gates.
Mt. Watson Boulevard Dispersed
An unpaved forest road corridor winding through the scenic Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Native dirt pullouts along the road offer dispersed camping opportunities during the summer and fall seasons.
Mule Spring Road Dispersed
Mule Spring is a quiet forest corridor in the Tahoe National Forest offering seasonal dispersed camping. The native dirt road surface accommodates most vehicles during dry conditions, winding through typical pine woodlands.
Mumford Bar Campground
A rustic developed campground nestled under shade trees near the Mumford Bar Trailhead. It offers basic sites with fire rings and accommodating space for up to five rigs or horse trailers. The location is primitive, with no water or electric hookups available.
Noonchester Mine Road Dispersed
A scenic dirt corridor winding through the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, offering seasonal access for dispersed camping and recreation.
North Fork Campground
Developed campground located along the North Fork of the North Fork American River in the Tahoe National Forest. Heavily shaded by cedar, pine, and fir trees with direct access to a scenic river swimming hole and hiking trails.
Northshore Campground - Loon Lake
Developed campground on the northern shores of Loon Lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, offering basic amenities and access to hiking and off-road activities.
Paige Meadows Road
A scenic forest road corridor winding through the dense pine forests and expansive meadow areas of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The road provides vehicular access to trailheads and scenic vistas during the summer months, but overnight stays are not permitted here.
Pat Tuck Road Dispersed
This dirt road winds through Tahoe National Forest, offering standard dispersed camping opportunities along its native surface corridor.
Peninsula Environmental Campsites
These designated walk-in environmental campsites offer a secluded, rustic camping experience near the shores of Folsom Lake.
Planet Fitness - Granite Bay
This Planet Fitness parking lot offers a paved, well-lit option for an overnight stay in Granite Bay. It is best suited for low-profile, stealthy campervans as larger RVs and trailers may draw unwanted attention.
Planet Fitness Roseville
Located in Roseville, this Planet Fitness parking lot provides a paved suburban setting for overnight stealth stays, best suited for low-profile vans.
Pleasant Campground
Pleasant Campground is a primitive, hike-in or boat-in campground situated on the scenic east shore of Loon Lake within the Eldorado National Forest. Accessible only by hiking the Loon Lake Trail or by boating across from the main boat ramp, it offers a serene, vehicle-free wilderness experience.
Poppy Campground
A quiet, remote developed campground situated near the shores of French Meadows Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest, offering standard amenities in a scenic pine forest.
Powderhorn Ridge Sp
A secluded dispersed camping corridor along Powderhorn Ridge Spur in the Tahoe National Forest.
Red Cedar Overlook B Spur
A scenic unpaved forest road spur located within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit near Kings Beach. The route offers rustic dispersed camping options on native dirt surfaces under a dense canopy of pine trees.
Red Fir Group Campground
Red Fir Group Campground is a primitive group campsite situated on the north side of the Loon Lake Reservoir in the Eldorado National Forest. This tent-only site can accommodate groups of up to 25 people and offers vault toilets, drinking water, campfire circles, and picnic tables. Positioned near the water's edge, it provides easy access to swimming, boating, and the popular Rubicon Jeep Trail.
Richardson Lake Road Dispersed
A rough dirt corridor leading through the Eldorado National Forest near Tahoma, offering dispersed camping opportunities for high-clearance vehicles. The road is subject to seasonal closures and is best suited for capable rigs looking for a secluded mountain getaway.
Robinson Flat Campground
Situated in a serene pine forest near Duncan Peak, this developed campground offers a quiet mountain getaway. Features include pit toilets, fire rings, and a historic meadow setting with access to nearby hiking trails.
Rockbound Trailhead
A trailhead parking area located in Eldorado National Forest, offering direct access into the Desolation Wilderness near Wrights Lake.
Rubicon Jeep Road Dispersed
A rugged dispersed camping corridor along the historic Rubicon Trail within Eldorado National Forest. This area is highly popular with off-roaders and offers scenic, primitive camping in a dense forest setting.
Rubicon Road Dispersed
This dirt corridor within the Eldorado National Forest offers dispersed camping along the native-surface road. It provides a classic forested setting with easy access to the surrounding wilderness.
Sailor Flat Spur Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along the Sailor Flat Spur within the Tahoe National Forest, offering direct access to the Sailor Flat Trailhead.
Sailor Point Spur Dispersed
A scenic forest corridor along Sailor Point Spur within the Tahoe National Forest. This area offers dispersed camping in a serene pine forest setting with multiple pull-offs.
Shirttail Creek Campground
Located on the north shore of Sugar Pine Reservoir within Tahoe National Forest, this developed campground offers shaded sites under a dense pine canopy. It provides convenient access to hiking, off-highway vehicle trails, boating, and swimming. Amenities include picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water.
Shivagiri Extension
A dirt forest road extension managed by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, located near Dollar Point. Motor vehicle access is permitted seasonally, but overnight camping is strictly prohibited in the Lake Tahoe Basin outside of designated campgrounds.
Sierra College Boulevard Overlook
A scenic roadside paved pullout along Sierra College Boulevard, offering views of the Verdera area. Expect high evening traffic and road noise from passing vehicles.
Silver Creek Campground
Silver Creek Campground is a scenic developed campground along the banks of the Truckee River, situated off Highway 89 between Truckee and Tahoe City. Wooded sites are shaded by lodgepole pines and firs, providing easy access to fly-fishing, hiking trails, and nearby attractions. Basic amenities are provided, though road noise from the adjacent highway is noticeable throughout the loops.
Soda Springs Riverton Road Dispersed
This unpaved forest road offers peaceful dispersed camping opportunities within the Eldorado National Forest. The native-surface dirt road winds through dense pine forest, providing quiet and secluded camping options along the corridor.
Soda Springs Riverton Road Dispersed
This quiet dirt road corridor in the Tahoe National Forest offers dispersed camping opportunities in a scenic pine forest. The native material road surface is generally suitable for all standard vehicle types during dry conditions.
South Volcanoville Road Dispersed
A quiet dispersed camping corridor along South Volcanoville Road within the Eldorado National Forest, offering roadside pull-offs in a dense pine forest setting. The route consists of native dirt materials suitable for most vehicles during dry conditions. It serves as a peaceful retreat near local geographical landmarks like Jakeys Hill.
Southern Pacific Access Corridor
A scenic dirt corridor traversing the dense pine forests of the Eldorado National Forest. Standard dispersed camping opportunities are available along this native-surface road.
State Park - General Creek Campground
A beautiful, heavily wooded state park campground offering spacious sites within walking distance of Lake Tahoe's shores. The facility features paved loops, modern restrooms with flush toilets, and coin-operated showers. Uniquely for the region, a small section of the campground remains open and plowed during the winter months for winter camping on a first-come, first-served basis.
State Park - Mineral Bar Campground
A scenic developed state park campground situated along the North Fork American River within the Auburn State Recreation Area. It features basic sites right next to the water, enclosed by steep canyon walls, accessible via a narrow, winding road. Access is challenging for larger rigs due to steep switchbacks on Iowa Hill Road.
State Park - Peninsula Campground
Peninsula Campground is a peaceful, well-shaded facility located within the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. The campground offers paved sites with beautiful lake views, flush toilets, and coin-operated showers. Accessing the area requires navigating a long, narrow paved road with steep curves, which can be challenging for larger trailers and RVs. It provides a scenic, quiet escape, though seasonal mosquitoes can be active during the spring months.
Stone Cellar South
A quiet dirt road corridor in Eldorado National Forest suitable for remote dispersed camping amidst the pines.
Stonewall OHV Road Corridor
A scenic road corridor winding along the canyon of the Middle Fork American River, offering access to various trails and day-use vistas. While popular for recreation, the entire area is governed by strict state recreation area regulations that prohibit dispersed camping and overnight parking.
Sugar Pine Lake Dump Station
Located in the Tahoe National Forest near Sugar Pine Reservoir, this paved loop serves as a seasonal RV dump and water filling station. Overnight parking is strictly prohibited at this utility site, but it provides essential services for campers visiting the nearby developed campgrounds.
Sugar Pine OHV Staging Area
Located within the Tahoe National Forest, this staging area provides seasonal access to off-road trail systems and accommodates overnight parking on a level dirt surface.
Sugar Pine Reservoir Boat Ramp Parking
This paved parking area serves the Sugar Pine Reservoir boat launch within Tahoe National Forest. While convenient for day-use and boat trailers, overnight stays may be restricted to nearby developed campgrounds, so check local forest orders.
Sugar Pine Water Line Road Dispersed
An unpaved dirt corridor offering rustic dispersed camping options within the Tahoe National Forest near Sugar Pine Reservoir.
Table Rock Spur Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along Table Rock Spur in Eldorado National Forest, offering quiet forest settings and rustic pull-offs near Table Rock.
Tadpole Campground
Tadpole Campground is a small, primitive Forest Service facility offering basic campsites nestled in a quiet, heavily wooded Sierra Nevada setting.
Tahoe National Forest near Dollar Point, CA
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Tahoe National Forest Road 0003-004-10-09
This seasonal dirt road corridor in the Tahoe National Forest offers remote dispersed camping opportunities surrounded by dense pine forests and mountainous terrain near Barker Pass.
Tahoe State Recreation Area Campground
A developed lakeside campground located within Tahoe State Recreation Area, offering quick access to the water and the nearby town of Tahoe City. Ideal for those who want a mix of outdoor recreation and urban convenience, with paved trails and local dining just a short walk away.
Talbot Campground
A rustic, primitive developed campground situated near the Granite Chief Wilderness trailhead. Shaded by mature conifers, it serves as an excellent basecamp for hiking and exploring the Middle Fork American River area.
Tells Creek Equestrian Camp
A rustic developed equestrian campground situated near Tells Creek, offering horse corrals and direct access to trailheads leading into the Desolation Wilderness.
Texas Hill Road Recreation Area
Quiet, forested camping options located along the remote corridors of Texas Hill Road within Tahoe National Forest. This peaceful area provides access to the North Fork American River, offering shaded campsites under a dense canopy of cedar, pine, and fir trees. The corridor features developed forest service sites with basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets.
Texas Hill/Mears Road Dispersed
This remote forest corridor in the Tahoe National Forest offers primitive dispersed camping opportunities along a native dirt road.
Thunder Valley Casino RV Parking
A large, paved overflow parking lot located across the street from the casino. It offers a secure, well-lit, and level space for self-contained RVs and larger trailers. Security patrols the area regularly, making it a safe option for a quick overnight stop, though active railroad tracks nearby bring frequent train noise throughout the night.
Tunnel Mills II Group Campground
A remote developed group campground situated under cedar, pine, and fir trees along the East Fork of the North Fork of the North Fork American River. It features two group sites that can accommodate up to 30 people and six vehicles each, equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, and vault toilets. Site 1 is suitable for tents and RVs, while Site 2 is tent-only.
Turkey Hill Road Dispersed
This forest road in Tahoe National Forest offers dispersed camping corridors in Placer County, California. It provides standard dirt-road access through scenic pine-forested terrain near Foresthill.
Upper Emerald Bay Road
A scenic paved forest road corridor in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, offering motorized access to trailheads and vistas near Emerald Bay. Overnight camping and dispersed camping are strictly prohibited along this corridor, requiring visitors to use nearby developed campgrounds.
Upper Hell Hole Campground
Upper Hell Hole Campground is a primitive backcountry destination situated at the eastern end of Hell Hole Reservoir within Eldorado National Forest. This secluded spot is accessible only by boat or via a hiking trail, offering a quiet, vehicle-free experience amidst mountain scenery.
Upper Manila Canyon Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping options along Upper Manila Canyon Road within the scenic Tahoe National Forest. The dirt road offers access to rustic sites suitable for standard vehicles during the dry season.
Urban Street Parking (Auburn)
Suburban roadside parking along Lincoln Way near Interstate 80 in Auburn. While convenient for late arrivals, local municipal regulations restrict sleeping in vehicles on public streets.
Valley View Spur Dispersed
A scenic forest spur road within the Tahoe National Forest, offering standard dispersed camping options along native material dirt pullouts.
Van Vleck Bunkhouse
A historic, reservable rustic cabin overlooking a scenic meadow with views of the Crystal Range. In summer, the cabin can be reached by vehicle, while winter stays require a multi-mile backcountry trek on skis or snowshoes.
Wentworth Springs Campground
A rustic and primitive developed campground situated deep within the Eldorado National Forest along the Rubicon Trail, offering a raw Sierra Nevada mountain experience popular with off-roaders.
Wentworth Springs Road Dispersed Camping
This zone encompasses dispersed camping areas along Wentworth Springs Road in the Eldorado National Forest, including pullouts near Gerle Creek and along the road to the local gun club.
West Lowell Hill Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along West Lowell Hill Road and its spur within Tahoe National Forest. The native-material dirt roads wind through pine forests, offering scenic and quiet dispersed sites.
Westshore Market & Deli
A private market and deli on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. Overnight parking is highly restricted and risky; travelers must request permission from management directly, and it is suitable only for self-contained campervans.
Whisky Creek Camp
A historic backcountry camp situated within the Granite Chief Wilderness along the Western States Trail. This quiet location is accessible exclusively by hiking or horseback, offering primitive wilderness campsites in a scenic wooded basin near the creek.
William Kent Campground
A well-maintained developed campground located on the scenic west shore of Lake Tahoe, surrounded by a dense pine forest. It features paved parking aprons, campfire rings, flush toilets, and essential bear-proof food storage. The campground offers convenient foot access to the public beach across the highway.
Wrights Lake Campground
A popular, highly scenic developed campground located right on the edge of Wrights Lake. It provides access to several premier trailheads leading directly into the Desolation Wilderness.
Wrights Lake Equestrian Campground
A specialized developed campground nearby designed for campers traveling with horses or packstock, offering direct access to wilderness riding trails.
Wrights Lake Road Dispersed
These scenic dispersed camping spots are situated along Wrights Lake Road and its intersecting forest spurs within the Eldorado National Forest. The access corridor features stunning mountain views, close proximity to trailheads, and quiet wooded surroundings. While the main paved road is narrow and winding, the dirt spurs leading to individual clearings can be rough or slightly washed out, making them best suited for smaller rigs and high-clearance vehicles.
