Best Places to Camp for Free in California

See the top places to camp for free in California based on reviews from campers in the Campendium community:

00:00 Intro

01:05 Joshua Tree South Dispersed Camping

01:51 Alabama Hills Recreation Area

02:46 Sawtooth Canyon Campground

03:19 The Pads

04:17 American Girl Mine Road Dispersed Camping

04:48 Keysville North Recreation Site

05:30 Glass Creek Campground

05:54 Owens River Road Dispersed Camping

06:22 Williams Hill Recreation Area

[Kya_._Papaya]

As a resident of Bishop, CA I live out of my van and am constantly picking up broken glass, bullet casings, toilet paper, dog poop, and a lot of trash on the BLM land out here. From Alabama hills(not too bad) up to the Glass Creek area please be respectful and clean up after yourselves. The Glass Creek area has trash all over it by the end of summer. A lot of it comes from the ATV crowd(most are good people... but as always there are a few bad apples that ruin it). Also please don't be afraid to help pick up other people's trash to help out. This is the most amazing place on earth out here so let's keep it that way.🙏🏽

[Veronica_and_Gang]

Alabama Hills is reservation only now, but still free. Over half of the campsites have been closed. We were just there end of March '23.

[jinjulee]

1)1:12 Joshua tree
2)1:54 Alabama
3)2:50 Sawtooth canyon
4)3:33 The pads
5)4:23 America girl mine road
6)4:56 Keysville north rec(Trees&water)
7)5:34 Glass creek campground(trees&water)
8)5:58 Owens River road dispersed
9)6:31 William hills rec
7:12 Find more free campground of CA

[xfirehurican]

I've lived in Joshua Tree since 2012 and just found your site. Heading out to the Eastern Sierras tomorrow morning and Campendium will be my full-time guide! Thanks! ❤

[nathanielregierdp]

I'm here casually watching this and then my name pops up in a review! Haha, great spots, thanks guys

[NinaRosesFoster]

California is really an amazing place, took my breath away

[danc]

The high desert off of hwy 395 east of Lassen peak is awesome for big sky night views. Just north of where 395 leaves Reno and goes back into California north of the split.

[HazMat]

Anza-Borrego is a great place. The reason I haven't tried anywhere else is the rules aren't always the best/easy to figure out or it's crowded. Anza-Borrego is so expanse it's possible to get away or be in an area with other people. And the rules are super easy to follow

[jimc.]

A very informative vid. I live in the Central Coast and r.v. camping is expensive and booked. Travel within California and the price of fuel is also a factor. Thanks for sharing free camping when many others don't.

[toddshook]

Thanks for sharing these spots. Most are very close from my home.

[pmp]

I would second Alabama Hills. I was just there last week and it was beautiful. Your backdrop is Mt. Whitney and Eastern Sierras

[magalyrodriguez]

Thank you so much to cheer everything where I'm staying right now to Joshua Tree is like an hour and a half I might shake it out that place🚚🇺🇸😍😍

[EffieG-eztf]

Thanks for sharing this video of good camping sites in California. We hope to visit at least one or two.

[Fbook]

Sawtooth canyon. The last campsite way in the back by itself is prob the best camping spot I've ever camped. Was solo and heard some weird noises at night lol

[realtorhectorreyes]

Can't wait to explore those camps! Thanks for sharing!!!

[anonamoose]

Yes!!!! If you can bring it with you, you can bring it home or to a trash can! Please take care of our beautiful state guys! If you see trash pick it up.

[shawnbreshears]

The shot at :10 looks like the drive from Big Pine towards Dyer NV. The road goes down to one lane through the narrow canyons and then spills out to one of the longest, straightest, loneliest stretches (17 miles) I’ve ever driven.

[broinsocali]

New to car camping. Working my way to this type of camping.

[brianbeattyphotography]

lots of great ideas! Will definitely be making a trip up to photograph Mammoth region this summer, so will check some of these out.

[RVAmerica]

These look amazing! I can't believe they were all free! Good share. Lynn and Danny