Dispersed camping (aka boondocking) is essentially free camping on open land…

…and it comes with its own set of pros and cons. Boondocking is most commonly available on publicly-owned U.S. taxpayer land, also referred to as BLM land (Bureau of Land Management). However you can find primitive camping in other areas as well (not always exclusively BLM).

You won’t find dispersed camping areas anywhere within national parks, city areas, private property, protected wilderness, etc. Camping at a designated campground, for example, is not dispersed camping. The links below (as well as Google) can tell you where to find said land around each U.S. city area and how to best preserve the land you’re staying on.

What are the advantages?

No crowds, no costs, no formal campgrounds, no reservations. Since they are (by definition) located outside populated city limits, dispersed camping areas are almost always exponentially more beautiful, remote and exciting to stay at—you’re actually having the authentic outdoor experience that you came for (imagine that). Talk to any experienced outdoorsman, and they’ll tell you that dispersed camping is the only option they look for on an adventure.

And now, the drawbacks

It’s real outdoor camping. That means zero amenities whatsoever. Restrooms, running water, picnic tables, grills for barbecuing food—you have to bring all of that swag yourself. Yes, you’ll be digging holes in the ground to poop (or finding restrooms in town). You’ll be responsible for your own fire safety and packing out your own trash. Because you’re staying in remote territory, roads in & out aren’t always paved or accessible for low-clearance vehicles. It means that people might not be around in case of emergency, and in the same context, it also often means no cell phone service.

Pick your campsite wisely

Know your comfort level in the wilderness and choose wisely. The best campsites I’ve ever stayed at have ALL been on primitive/BLM land. At the same time, for brand new outdoorsmen and women with families, this may not be the best option. If you decide to go and you’re new to this, read and have a copy of the instructions below.

Remember to LEAVE NO TRACE—be respectful of the land, and only bring in what you’re able to pack out.

Dispersed camping resources

For anyone wanting to get up-to-speed with BLM camping rules, we’ve included a few resources below:

• Bureau of Land Management - Maps for Every BLM Territory in the US

• Gear Junkie - Camp for Free on Public Land: Dispersed Camping 101

• Ramos Law - BLM Camping Rules 101

• Bureau of Land Management - Laws & Regulations (complete 120 pg handbook)

Summary - Flat, open BLM land directly north of downtown Bishop with a beautiful 360 degree view of the Eastern Sierra Nevadas.  The perfect time of year for this campsite is spring and fall, when the surrounding mountains are covered in snow, but the valley floor is still warm.

You can set up camp anywhere along Casa Diablo Rd. We chose a spot roughly 2 miles in once the road plateaus to get the most of our visual surroundings.

Pros - Spectacular view, guaranteed availability & privacy, proximity to the Happy/Sad Boulders, a 40 min. drive to the Long Valley (Mammoth Area) Hot Springs area, cell phone reception (surprisingly)

Cons - Zero amenities, very exposed to the elements (wouldn't camp here when it's windy)

Recommendation - The dirt surface of Casa Diablo Rd. is level and can be navigated by any vehicle (at least in the lower areas where we stayed).  However the dust on the road gets deep in some areas.  Keep your wheels turning, close your air vents and don't follow cars too closely.

Most importantly, don't set your campsite up directly downwind from the road, or where dirt is especially deep on the road.  Any car passing by is going to kick up a lot of dust.  We saw one campsite get absolutely punished.

Directions - From Bishop, take State Highway 6 north to Five Bridges Road, then take a left.  Travel on Five Bridges Road 5 miles until it turns into a wide, well-traveled dirt road. Follow the dirt road up a hill to the BLM area.  You'll see a sign pointing you to Casa Diablo Rd. (red devil emoji on the map), which is the best place to camp.

Resources

• WheelingIt.us - Boondocking Site Review: Volcanic Tablelands BLM

• Campendium - Volcanic Tablelands BLM

Summary - BEAUTIFUL dispersed campsites within a few hundred yards of the Buttermilk Boulders parking lot, right at the base of the mountains.  The best campsites are just up the hill from the Buttermilk Boulders parking lot on Buttermilk Rd. 

Pros - Free of charge, close proximity to the Buttermilk Boulders; outdoor pit toilet located in the Buttermilk Boulders parking lot.

Cons - Very exposed to the wind, no amenities; campfires are allowed with a California Permit, but high wind exposure may hurt your chances of maintaining one safely. 

Recommendation - If you're trying to balance both aesthetics and convenience, this is one of the best campgrounds in the Bishop area.  It's just 20 min. from downtown Bishop, and right at the base of the Sierras.

If you pursue the dispersed camping here, make sure you're aware of the land you're setting up on.  Dispersed camping is allowed on US Forest Service land around the Buttermilks; the Buttermilks climbing area itself is owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.  Buttermilk Country also has protected Wildlife Areas to be aware of.  Local residents, who are growing upset over climber impact on sacred areas, are putting pressure on local entities to enforce No Trespassing rules.  That threatens access for everyone.  Please don't be a part of the problem.

You can find some helpful inside tips about the best nearby places to camp at the forum below (i.e. Horton Creek).  Regardless of where you stay, haul out your trash and minimize your impact.

Directions - From Hwy 395, take Hwy 168 west for 7-8 miles. Turn right onto Buttermilk Road. The camping permitted BLM area starts a quarter mile PAST (aka west of) the Buttermilk Boulders parking lot on Buttermilk Road. Signs should indicate that the area is open for camping.  Look for other campers as an indication that you’re in the right area.

Resources

• Mountain Project - Camping at the Buttermilks (forum - super helpful)

• FreeCampsites.net - Buttermilk Country

Up to Camping Page Index ^

Horton Creek Campground

Summary - A $5 per night primitive campground just a few miles up the road from Buttermilk Country with breathtaking views of the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains.

Pros - Incredible views, some campsites have shade, closest campground with amenities to the Buttermilk Boulders, pit toilets available with some amenities Mar. 1 - Nov. 1 (water, trash pickup, etc.).

Cons - Owen's Valley in General can be prone to high winds; campground is closed (gated off) between late fall and mid-spring

Recommendation - It's a great campground with a stunning view, close to Hwy 395 and just 10-15 min. from downtown Bishop.  Just make sure it's open during your stay.  We showed up late at night in mid April to a locked gate.

Directions - From Hwy 395 North, turn left (south) onto Sawmill Rd. and then take an immediate right (west) onto Round Valley Rd. for 3 miles. Follow sign to the campground.

Resources

• TheTinCanChronicles - Campground Review Horton Creek BLM

• BLM.gov - Horton Creek Campground

Pleasant Valley Campground, a.k.a. "The Pit" - Designated Campground

UPDATE: CLOSED - On February 18, 2018, high winds at the Pleasant Valley campground initiated a wildfire that burned 2,070 acres north of Bishop.  It likely won't be open or usable in the foreseeable future.

Summary - Designated campground in the Volcanic Tablelands area just north of downtown Bishop.  I've heard plenty of mixed reviews about this place (details below), but for campers who prefer amenities at $10 a night, it is still a better & cheaper option than renting a hotel room.

Resources

• YouTube - Video Tour of the Pleasant Valley Campground

• Yelp - Pleasant Valley Campground

• Facebook - Pleasant Valley "The Pit" Campground

Up to Camping Page Index ^

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