Alabama Hills 2-Day Route
Plan campsite 16, the Whitney Portal out-and-back, Manzanar, verified mileage, permits and emergency references.
Open the 2-day route →California Free Camping Guide
Last reviewed July 17, 2026
Free Dispersed Camping in California — CIWILD Guide
California offers some of the most diverse free dispersed camping opportunities in the continental United States. From BLM desert land near the Mojave to National Forest roads in the Sierra Nevada, overlanders can find remote places to camp without paying campground fees — as long as they follow local rules, seasonal closures, fire restrictions, and Leave No Trace practices.
Review status
Official sources reviewed
Sources
BLM, U.S. Forest Service and California agency pages
Field verification
Varies by listing; see each campsite guide for its verification status
California BLM Camping Rules
Rules vary by field office, forest district, and recreation area, so always confirm the latest information before your trip. These are the general rules most California dispersed campers should know before heading out.
1
Stay Limit
Dispersed camping on BLM-managed public land is generally limited to 14 days within a 28-day period, but local field offices may set stricter rules.
2
Distance From Water
Choose a durable campsite away from lakes, rivers, streams, and springs. Many National Forest areas recommend camping at least 200 feet from water.
3
Fire Restrictions
California fire restrictions change quickly. A California Campfire Permit may be required, and open fires can be fully prohibited during high-risk periods.
4
Leave No Trace
Pack out all trash, food waste, foil, cans, and toilet paper. Use a WAG bag when possible, especially in desert areas with fragile soil and limited decomposition.
5
Vehicle Access
Stay on existing roads and previously disturbed campsites. Do not create new tracks, widen pullouts, or drive over vegetation and desert crust.
6
Permit Zones
Most dispersed camping areas do not require a camping permit, but high-demand places such as Alabama Hills may require a free designated camping permit.
CIWILD note: California is not a “camp anywhere” state. Use coordinates only as planning
references, confirm the responsible land manager, check current fire restrictions, and avoid sensitive or closed areas.
Best Free Campsites in California
CIWILD highlights California camping areas with GPS coordinates, road condition notes, seasonal advice, and overlanding-friendly access information.
Kern County · Desert OHV
Jawbone Canyon OHV Area
A wide-open desert camping area with sandy washes, OHV routes, and year-round access. Best for 4WD rigs, rooftop tents, and self-contained campers.
GPS
35.312571, -118.050022
Access
Hwy 14 → Jawbone Canyon Rd; paved/main access, then dirt/sandy OHV pullouts; 4WD for washes
Cell Signal
Variable; generally better near the main access road and less reliable farther into washes
Nearest Supply
Jawbone Store/Station at entrance; Mojave ~20 mi south
Barstow · BLM Campground
Sawtooth Canyon Campground
A free BLM campground also known as New Jack City, with 13 designated campsites, desert rock formations, fire pits, picnic tables, shade ramadas, and a vault toilet.
GPS
34.670107, -116.983935
Access
CA-247 → desert dirt road; generally passable in good weather
Facilities
13 sites, fire pits, picnic tables, vault toilet, no water
Nearest Supply
Barstow area, about 20 mi north
Lone Pine · Eastern Sierra
Alabama Hills Dispersed Camping
One of California’s most iconic overlanding landscapes, with granite formations, Sierra views, and designated camping rules near Movie Road.
GPS
36.604498, -118.116604
Access
Movie Road graded dirt; side roads can be sandy/soft; high-clearance or 4WD helpful
Cell Signal
Variable and not guaranteed; download permits, maps and emergency details before arrival
Nearest Supply
Lone Pine ~2.5–3 mi
Mojave Desert · Remote Route
Mojave Road 3-Day Overland Route
A roughly 150-mile historic 4WD crossing with primitive camping, long service-free sections, and separate eastern and western gateway planning.
GPS
35.2533, -115.8915 (Soda Dry Lake View example)
Access
High-clearance 4WD; rough/sandy/washouts; check NPS road status before travel
Cell Signal
Unreliable or none on most of route
Nearest Supply
No fuel in the Preserve; use Needles for the eastern start or Barstow for the western end
Owens Valley · BLM Land
Eastern Sierra BLM Pullouts
Dry, open camping zones near the base of the Sierra Nevada. Best in spring and fall, with excellent access to hiking, photography, and road-trip routes.
GPS
37.425007, -118.426604 (Volcanic Tableland reference)
Access
Casa Diablo Rd gravel/dirt; heavy washboard; most vehicles ok lower in, high-clearance farther out
Cell Signal
Variable by pullout; usually stronger near towns and Highway 395, weaker behind hills and tablelands
Nearest Supply
Bishop ~10–15 min / ~5–8 mi
Plan an Eastern Sierra Camping Trip
Start with the regional guide, then choose between a structured Alabama Hills itinerary, a designated free campsite, or the nearby paid developed-campground fallback.
Alabama Hills Camping Guide
Review the free permit, designated-site rules, 2WD and 4WD access categories, facilities and seasonal conditions.
Open the Alabama Hills guide →Tuttle Creek Campground
Compare the nearby BLM campground with more than 80 first-come sites, seasonal potable water and a current nightly fee.
Open the Tuttle Creek guide →Eastern Sierra BLM Pullouts
Explore broader public-land options near Bishop, Big Pine, Lone Pine and the Highway 395 corridor.
Open the regional guide →Plan the Mojave Road from East or West
Use the main route guide as the planning hub, then open the gateway guide that matches your direction. This keeps route conditions, supply planning, lodging, and campground information separated but connected.
Mojave Road 3-Day Route Guide
Review the full crossing, NPS 4WD requirements, primitive-camping rules, fuel and water planning, emergency references, and the east-to-west landmark sequence.
Open the complete Mojave Road guide →Needles, California
Use Needles for fuel, groceries, lodging, final vehicle checks, and Colorado River-side trip preparation.
Open the Needles gateway guide →Afton Canyon
Check the BLM campground fee, 22 first-come sites, water limitations, passenger-car access boundary, and the western approach to the Mojave Road.
Open the Afton Canyon guide →Best Seasons to Camp in California
California camping conditions change dramatically by elevation. Desert campsites can be dangerous in summer, while Sierra roads may stay snow-covered well into spring.
Desert Regions
Best from October through April. Mojave, Owens Valley, and Joshua Tree-area desert zones can exceed 110°F in summer.
Sierra Nevada
Best from May through October, depending on snowpack. High-elevation forest roads may be closed from late fall through spring.
Northern California
Best from June through September. Lower-elevation forest roads may open earlier, but weather and fire restrictions still matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dispersed camping legal in California?
Yes. Dispersed camping is legal on many BLM-managed public lands and in many National Forest areas in California, but it is subject to local stay limits, fire restrictions, road rules, seasonal closures, and special recreation area regulations.
Do I need a permit to camp on BLM land in California?
Most general BLM dispersed camping areas do not require a camping permit. However, some high-use areas have special rules. Alabama Hills, for example, requires a free permit for designated semi-primitive camping.
Can I have a campfire at a California BLM campsite?
It depends on the location, season, and current fire restrictions. A California Campfire Permit may be required for campfires, barbecues, or portable stoves on federal and state-controlled lands, and local restrictions may still prohibit fires entirely.
Can I sleep in my vehicle on public land in California?
In many dispersed camping areas, sleeping in a vehicle, rooftop tent, truck camper, or van is allowed if you are on land where camping is permitted and you follow the posted rules. Always confirm the land manager and avoid private property, closed areas, and day-use-only zones.
What is the closest free camping to Alabama Hills?
Alabama Hills itself allows designated dispersed camping with a free permit. Nearby BLM pullouts in the Owens Valley near Lone Pine and Bishop are covered in the Eastern Sierra BLM camping guide.
How many days can I camp for free on BLM land in California?
Many BLM areas use a 14-day limit within a 28-day period, but local field offices can set different rules. Alabama Hills and other Bishop Field Office dispersed areas use a 14-day-per-calendar-year limit, so always check the specific destination guide and current field-office rules before a long stay.
Join the CIWILD California Community
CIWILD brings together official land-manager information, community submissions, GPS records, and field notes where available. Each campsite guide should be checked for its source, review date, and field-verification status before a trip.
Official rule references: BLM Camping Rules, BLM Alabama Hills, BLM Sawtooth Canyon Campground, Inyo National Forest Camping, California Campfire Permit. Campsite fact boxes use official agency pages where available. Third-party reports may provide supplementary cell-service or access context and are not treated as official or field verification. Conditions can change; recheck the responsible land manager before departure.