Free Camping in California

200 sites across 7 federal and state land agencies. 0 sites have full agency-grounded write-ups; the rest are in the indexing queue.

Bureau of Land Management sites

30 sites. Bureau of Land Management camping rules →

  • A.W. Way County Park
    Developed· Indexing
  • Afton Canyon
    Developed· Indexing
  • Afton Canyon Natural Area CG
    Developed· Indexing
  • Agua Tibia Wilderness
    Developed· Indexing
  • Aholul Group Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Alabama Hills
    Developed· Indexing
  • Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark
    Developed· Indexing
  • American River North Middle South Forks
    Developed· Indexing
  • Argus Range Wilderness
    Developed· Indexing
  • Atwell Recreation Area
    Developed· Indexing
  • Bakersfield Field Office
    Developed· Indexing
  • Bald Mountain Trail System
    Developed· Indexing
  • Barstow
    Developed· Indexing
  • Bear Hollow Camp
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Beauty Mountain Wilderness
    Developed· Indexing
  • Beaver Ridge 1
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Beaver Ridge 2
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Beaver Ridge 3
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Beaver Ridge 4
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Beaver Ridge 5
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Beaver Ridge 6
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Big Maria Mountains Wilderness
    Developed· Indexing
  • Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
    Developed· Indexing
  • Big Tree
    Developed· Indexing
6 more Bureau of Land Management sites in California.

National Park Service sites

12 sites. National Park Service camping rules →

  • Alcatraz Island
    Developed· Indexing
  • ANACAPA ISLAND
    Developed· Indexing
  • Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center
    Developed· Indexing
  • Atwell Mill Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Azalea Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Barstow Headquarters Information Desk
    Developed· Indexing
  • Bear Gulch Nature Center
    Developed· Indexing
  • Bear Valley Visitor Center
    Developed· Indexing
  • Belle Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • BICENTENNIAL CAMPGROUND
    Developed· Indexing
  • Big Break Visitor Center at the Delta
    Developed· Indexing
  • Big Oak Flat Information Station
    Developed· Indexing

PRIVATE sites

83 sites. PRIVATE camping rules →

  • 44 Camp
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • A.H. Hogue Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Afton Canyon Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Agnew Meadows Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Agnew Meadows Group Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Agnew Meadows Horse Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Albee Creek Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Alder Creek Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Aliklik Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Almanor Legacy Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Almanor South Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Alpine View Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • American Canyon Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Ancient Redwoods RV Park
    Developed· Indexing
  • Angels Camp RV & Camping Resort
    Developed· Indexing
  • Annett's Mono Village Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Ant
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Anthony Chabot Family Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Arrastre Trail Camp
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Arroyo Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Aspen Group Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Aspen Grove Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Atáxam Mámta’ash Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Atchison Campground
    Developed· Indexing
59 more PRIVATE sites in California.

State Parks sites

37 sites. State Parks camping rules →

  • 4 S Beach Camp
    Developed· Indexing
  • 8 designated Horse Camps, location unknown
    Developed· Indexing
  • Abalone Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Agate Beach
    Developed· Indexing
  • Alder Trail Camp
    Developed· Indexing
  • Alice Eastwood Group Camp
    Developed· Indexing
  • Anacapa Loop Group Camp
    Developed· Indexing
  • Anderson Camp
    Developed· Indexing
  • Andrew Molera Trail Camp
    Developed· Indexing
  • Area 5 Group Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Arroyo Salado
    Developed· Indexing
  • Arroyo Seco Trail Camp
    Developed· Indexing
  • Azalea Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Back Ranch Meadows Group Camp
    Developed· Indexing
  • Back Ranch Meadows Hike/Bike
    Developed· Indexing
  • Back Ranch Meadows Walk-in Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Baranca Group Site
    Developed· Indexing
  • Barbecue Terrace Horse Camp
    Developed· Indexing
  • Basalt Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • BAT WALLACE   -   ENVIR CAMPSITE
    Developed· Indexing
  • BAT WALLACE   -   ENVIR CAMPSITE
    Developed· Indexing
  • Baxter Camp
    Developed· Indexing
  • Beach Creek Group Camp
    Developed· Indexing
  • Beach, Lower Creek and Redwood Loops
    Developed· Indexing
13 more State Parks sites in California.

US Army Corps of Engineers sites

2 sites. US Army Corps of Engineers camping rules →

  • ACORN CAMPGROUND
    Developed· Indexing
  • Black Butte Lake
    Developed· Indexing

US Forest Service sites

34 sites. US Forest Service camping rules →

  • (Lake Alpine) Backpackers
    Developed· Indexing
  • (Lake Alpine) Lodgepole Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • ACKERMAN CAMPGROUND
    Developed· Indexing
  • AGNEW MEADOWS GROUP CAMP
    Developed· Indexing
  • Ahart Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Almanor RV Dump Station
    Developed· Indexing
  • ALPINE VIEW CAMPGROUND
    Developed· Indexing
  • Angel Creek Day Use
    Developed· Indexing
  • Angeles National Forest
    Developed· Indexing
  • Angora Ridge
    Developed· Indexing
  • Antelope Lake Day Use Picnic Area
    Developed· Indexing
  • Appletree Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Applewhite Campground (CA)
    Developed· Indexing
  • Arnold Rim Trail - Cedar Center Trailhead
    Developed· Indexing
  • Arnold Rim Trail - San Domingo Southern Trailhead
    Developed· Indexing
  • Arnold Rim Trail - Valley View Drive Trailhead
    Developed· Indexing
  • Aspen Glen Picnic Area Day Use
    Developed· Indexing
  • ASPEN GROUP (INYO)
    Developed· Indexing
  • Aspen Hollow Group (Sequoia National Forest, CA)
    Developed· Indexing
  • BADGER FLATS GROUP
    Developed· Indexing
  • BAILEY COVE
    Developed· Indexing
  • BALLINGER CAMPGROUND
    Developed· Indexing
  • Bayview / Inspiration Point Day Use
    Developed· Indexing
  • Bear Cove Picnic Site
    Developed· Indexing
10 more US Forest Service sites in California.

US Fish and Wildlife Service sites

2 sites. US Fish and Wildlife Service camping rules →

  • Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
    Developed· Indexing
  • Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge
    Developed· Indexing

Common questions about camping in California

How long can you camp on public land in California?
The federal limit on BLM and USFS land in California is 14 days within any 28-day period at one camp area, then a 25-mile move. Source: 43 CFR §8365.1-2 for BLM and 36 CFR §261.10 for USFS. NPS sites in California have separate per-park limits, usually set by the park superintendent's compendium. Always check the local field office before relying on the rule for any specific site.
Are there fire restrictions in California right now?
Fire restrictions in California change weekly during fire season. Check the BLM California state office page and the USFS California forest pages for the current Stage I, II, or III restrictions before lighting any fire. Stage I usually means no open fires outside developed grates. Stage II usually means no fires anywhere on the unit, including stoves outside developed sites. Carry a backup stove and a check-in plan.
What's the difference between dispersed and developed camping in California?
Dispersed camping in California means primitive, no fee, no facilities. You pull off a public-land road and camp where established disturbance already exists. Developed camping means a designated campground with a host, vault toilet, fire ring, picnic table, and usually a nightly fee through Recreation.gov. BLM land in California carries most of the dispersed sites. USFS national forests in California allow dispersed camping along MVUM-marked roads. Per 36 CFR §261.13 and the Travel Management Rule.
Can you run a generator at public-land campsites in California?
Generators are generally allowed at developed campgrounds in California with quiet hours, usually 8pm to 8am. The exact window varies by site and is posted at each campground or in the host's contract. On dispersed land, the federal noise rules and Leave No Trace ethics apply: do not run a generator within 200 feet of water or after dark. Some NPS units in California prohibit generators entirely; check the park's compendium first.
Are dogs allowed at public-land campsites in California?
Dogs are generally allowed on BLM and USFS public-land sites in California when leashed, with the same Leave No Trace ethics that apply to humans: pack out waste, keep your dog on a 6-foot leash or under voice control, do not let them chase wildlife. NPS units in California are stricter; dogs are typically barred from trails and backcountry, allowed only in developed campgrounds and on paved roads. Always check the specific unit's rules before driving in. State park rules vary too.
Can you camp on public lands in California in winter?
Winter access in California depends on the unit. Many BLM dispersed sites and USFS forest roads stay open year-round when conditions allow but become snowed-in or gated above certain elevations. Developed campgrounds usually close from mid-October to mid-April. NPS units in California often shift to limited winter operations with reduced services. Check the agency office or Recreation.gov for current road status and gate closure dates. Carry chains and emergency supplies in shoulder season.
Where can you dump RV waste on public lands in California?
Most dispersed and primitive sites in California do not have dump stations. You need to plan a stop at a developed campground (USFS, BOR, USACE, or NPS) with a dump station, or a paid commercial dump at a Pilot/Flying J or KOA on your route. Recreation.gov lists which federal campgrounds have dump stations. Never dump on dispersed land; it is a federal violation under 36 CFR §261.11 and 43 CFR §8365.1-1. Sites that have a dump station show it in the Boondock site page.
What's cell coverage like at public-land campsites in California?
Coverage in California varies sharply by carrier and site elevation. Carriers' coverage maps are aspirational; the FCC National Broadband Map is more honest but still self-reported. For remote California sites you should expect no signal on Verizon and T-Mobile at most BLM dispersed land and on dry-side USFS roads. AT&T tends to drop in canyons. The Boondock site page shows coverage data when we have it; absent that, assume no signal and tell someone your plan before you go.

Browse California by topic