What is Dispersed Camping?
Sometimes referred to as boondocking, dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere on public lands OUTSIDE of a designated campground and OUTSIDE of the wilderness*. Dispersed camping means no services like bathrooms, picnic tables, or trash removal. It also means leaving the area as wild as you found it. There are rules & regulations to follow, as well as extra skills and responsibilities needed to disperse camp properly.
*If you plan to backpack into a wilderness area to camp, you will need a wilderness permit, reserved on www.recreation.gov.
Plan Ahead: Have a good map, the Inyo National Forest map is a great resource. Obtain a California Fire Permit if you plan to use fire of ANY kind, and check for local fire restrictions. Have a way to store food and trash properly such as inside a vehicle, locking cooler, or bear resistant container. Be prepared to dispose of human waste properly, either by packing it out or burying it in an 8 inch hole 100 feet away from water and trails/roads. Plan to be fully contained and self-sufficient as there are no services with dispersed camping.
Where to Go: Dispersed camping is allowed on most Forest Service and BLM managed lands, however, camping is prohibited on land owned by the City of Los Angeles. This website has an interactive map so you can find out where it is legal to disperse camp in the Eastern Sierra.
Restricted Areas: Certain developed recreation areas, including those along paved roads leading into the mountains, are not open to dispersed camping. Dispersed camping is not allowed in the following areas: Horseshoe Meadow, Onion Valley, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek, Rock Creek, McGee Creek, Convict Lake, Mammoth Lakes, Reds Meadow Valley, Owens River*, June Lake Loop, Lee Vining Canyon, Lundy Canyon, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and any research area.
*Owens River: All land along the Owens River is owned by the City of Los Angeles and is closed to camping.
How to Find a Dispersed Campsite: Drive down a dirt road, away from any man-made or developed areas, and look for an area just off the road that has a durable surface with no vegetation. These sites may or may not have a primitive fire ring, but please don’t build your own. Stay on established roads, do not drive off-road to camp. Select a campsite at least 100 feet from water.
Length of Stay: On Inyo National Forest land, you may camp up to 14 days at one location and up to 28 days per year on the forest.
Fire Tips: The best way to prevent negative impacts from campfires is to use a portable stove and not build a fire at all. If you build a fire, here are some ways to lessen its impact: Do not build a fire in high winds, clear the area of flammable debris, do not build a rock ring, use only dead wood that has already fallen to the ground, keep your fire small, never leave your fire unattended, and be sure to put it out until it is COLD. Do not burn any food or trash.
Wildlife Tips: Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach animals. Never feed or leave food out for animals. Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating nesting, raising young, or winter.
Remember: Know whose land you’re on and follow their rules & regulations, have a campfire permit, make sure you’re not near any developed areas, camp on a durable surface 100 feet from water, properly dispose of human waste, pack out all food and trash, and leave the area as wild as you found it!
