FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Bay Area Backcountry Camping

Hi all-

We just moved to the Bay Area from Colorado. We are avid 4x4 and camping nuts- but just don't know where to begin!

I am not a big fan of paying, making reservations, and then camping in a "site" next to a bunch of other people while using the camp toilet.

I would much rather go somewhere where we can take a nice dirt road drive, then pull off and set up camp. In CO this is OK as long as you aren't on private land, and are a certain distance from water or roads (like 30 feet).

There are great areas back home, and you find out by word of mouth. Not knowing anyone yet- I am an on a hunt for a good spot.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dseven (iain) on August 27, 2014 at 3:14pm

Not sure about the immediate bay area, but if you're willing to drive a bit, there's lots of National Forest land in the Sierras where "dispersed camping" is allowed - http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev7_018794.pdf

... and yeah, "word of mouth" is probably the best way to find places, but people tend to be protective of their favourite secret spots ;)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Caley Shoemaker on August 27, 2014 at 3:26pm

Thanks so much- this is a great start.

We had our perfect "top secret" spot back in Colorado- and it was near the base of an old defunct railroad line over the continental divide. It was great back country camping, and we could get into some trouble with the truck.

Looking for something equally cool- so definitely appreciate the tip.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cowboy on August 27, 2014 at 5:11pm

Welcome to the Bay Area! Do they have any sand dunes in Colorado? I thought not, We have a crew running down to Pismo Beach On Halloween weekend. Cruise on down and join us for some beach camping and dune cruisin!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Caley Shoemaker on August 28, 2014 at 1:58pm

That sounds like a blast. We do have Dunes in CO- we messed around in the hubby's jeep back in the day- but never took my FJ. If we are free that weekend- we will be there.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by FjForrest on August 27, 2014 at 6:16pm

Welcome to California!
Nothing is free here you have to pay for everything!!!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by FjForrest on August 27, 2014 at 6:21pm

Where are you in the Bay Area are you??
I just moved back to the north bay after being gone for 15 years.
I was in Washington state and if you paid the $30 for a forest service pass you can go anywhere you want. But in Cali things are a little different. I think you will be a little shocked like I was by how difficult it is to find easy access to free camping like I was.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Caley Shoemaker on August 28, 2014 at 2:00pm

I don't mind paying for a pass or something like that. It just seems ridiculous to make camping plans (and thus reservations) SO far in advance, to only be able to camp in a stall. I also hate that most places wont allow dogs.... what's the point of camping if the dogs can't come!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Niko on August 27, 2014 at 9:10pm

Two words: PG&E land.

If you go to the lakes, there is more structured camping.

If you go to the mountains, then it's very libertarian.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Caley Shoemaker on August 28, 2014 at 2:01pm

PG+E Land? Good to know. We will look into it.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Scootin_Houten on August 27, 2014 at 10:18pm

Welcome to California! A few buddies and I went to Bowman campground a few weeks ago, and they do have some campgrounds but you can also just take a trail as far as possible and camp there. Thats what we did and had a great time. There wasn't a person within a half mile of us.