★ Field-verified · Dave's ownUSFS · dispersedFree
In Sierra National Forest
Drive-up · U.S. Forest Service · Madera County, CA · 37.14596, -119.45088
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Ask about this camp →Dave's been here. A spot from Dave's own travels on U.S. Forest Service land — free to camp. Conditions still change, so confirm access, stay limits and fire rules before you go.
In Sierra National Forest a designated camping area next to a dam. There is a vault toilet here, some conifer trees, concrete slabs. On one hand it felt very remote, but very industrial at the same time. Encountered no one during my stay in December. Enough room for multiple vehicles. Scattered primitive fire rings. No cell service. I liked this unique setting. Recommended.
USGS topo — contours & terrain
Aerial — USGS / NAIP
Weather outlook
Loading the latest forecast…
Live NWS area forecast (~2.5 km grid, not elevation-corrected). Camp sits at 1,419 ft.
Fire & smokeNIFC · AirNow
Checking active fires & air quality…
Active wildfires from NIFC (within ~50 mi); air quality from AirNow. Always confirm current fire restrictions with the managing office before you go.
Everything you need — measured from camp
Straight-line miles · bearings approx · roads run longer
Nearest of each
- GGrocery5 mi
- @Mail5 mi
- FFuel6 mi
- OOutfitter8 mi
- DDump8 mi
- HHardware8 mi
- WWater8 mi
- MMechanic8 mi
- RxPharmacy8 mi
- +Urgent care16 mi
- LLaundry17 mi
- PPropane28 mi
- ShShower29 mi
- AAir-up51 mi
≤30 mi30–4545+water
The read: water's a short hop out, fuel & food sit about 5 mi out.
One dot per need — the nearest of each kind, straight-line from camp. Places from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Open in Google Maps ↗
The site
Access
Drive-up
Land
U.S. Forest Service · dispersed
Elevation
1,419 ft
County
Madera County, CA
Coordinates
37.14596, -119.45088
Cost
Free
Nearby & resupply (OpenStreetMap)
- Resupply lookup unavailable — try the map links below.
From the field — what Dave saw, in person
Cell service
No signal
Getting there
Any vehicle managed it
Fire ring
Yes
Toilet on site
Yes
Tent friendly
Yes
Verdict
Recommended
Nearby restrooms — pit toilets, restrooms & rest areas (government data)
- Vault / pit toiletRedinger · ~0.4 mi E · USFS
- Portable toiletSj River Gorge -Porta Toilet -Pole Barn · ~6.9 mi SW · BLM
- Portable toiletSj River Gorge -Porta Toilet -Horse Corral · ~6.9 mi SW · BLM
- RestroomSj River Gorge -Picnic Area -Toilet 20 · ~7.0 mi SW · BLM
Open this spot elsewhere
Other camps nearby
If this one is full, gated or washed out.
- Gertrude Creek West~6.2 mi
- San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area~7.0 mi
- Gertrude Creek East~8.2 mi
- Whisky Falls~9.7 mi
How we know this
Source
Dave's own travels
Confidence
Researched — The record is detailed and internally consistent, and the coordinates land where the managing agency says this site is.
How it was placed
FIELD VERIFIED by Dave Lalande -- he has stood on this site. Coordinates are his own GPX track point, not a geocode. County and state confirmed against the FCC Census Block API (Madera County, CA). Everything under 'From the field' is a direct observation; nothing here is inferred from a land record.
Field check
Verified on the ground. Dave has stood on this one. Conditions still change — confirm before you commit.
What we don’t know
A land record can put you within a few metres of a spot. It cannot tell you any of this — so check it yourself, and treat anything below as the open question it is.
- How many rigs actually fit
- Seasonal & winter access
- Current fire restrictions
- Whether any water here is drinkable
- Shade & wind exposure
- Noise and who else shows up
Before you go
Water on public land →What “dispersed” means here →Dumping grey & black →Dispersed camping tips →All field notes →
Been here? Tell us what changed. This page is built from public records, so the fastest way it gets better is somebody who has actually pulled in. Road washed out, site gone, gate locked, or it is exactly as described — all of it useful. Send a report →