The most reliable, last-minute option is dispersed camping, either in the state\u2019s 20 national forests or on land operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM land). Dispersed camping is camping without a campsite \u2014 you won\u2019t get any amenities (bring your trowel<\/a>!), but you will get solitude and, often, easy access to hiking trails or other natural features like swimming holes.<\/p>\n Dispersed camping is allowed on most BLM land. According to the BLM website<\/a>, there are some exceptions: you can\u2019t camp in an area if it harms wildlife or other natural resources;\u00a0 when it conflicts with other \u201cauthorized uses\u201d; or when the location is explicitly marked as closed to camping.<\/p>\n National forests often have maps dictating which roads are allowed to camp near. The sites are located off the side of the road and, if possible, it\u2019s recommended that you choose a site that has already been used for camping. Deciding where to go can be tricky, so we recommend calling a ranger to talk through possible options.<\/p>\n BLM also maintains campsites that include amenities like bathrooms and picnic tables, but the campgrounds are sometimes hard to find and hiking trails tend to be less developed. This can be a good option when you\u2019re looking to hang out with a group outside.<\/p>\n The final option for the more adventurous weekender is backpacking. At many, less popular parks, it\u2019s still possible to find solitude in the wilderness without booking backcountry permits at 7 a.m. six months in advance.\u00a0<\/p>\n One more tip: Most places require a permit if you want to build a campfire. These permits are easy to get online \u2014 check the website for the park you want to visit for more information on how to get a campfire permit.\u00a0<\/p>\n We called around to get the details on some likely backpacking, dispersed camping and first-come, first-served spots that are under four hours from the Bay Area by car:<\/p>\n Why go: Within an hour\u2019s drive of Berkeley, the East Bay Regional Park District<\/a> offers 14 parks with camping and backpacking options. You\u2019ll find panoramic views of the Bay, trails surrounding peaceful reservoirs and new ways to experience familiar destinations. <\/p>\n Last-minute camping: Local parks tend to draw smaller crowds for camping and backpacking, though they often fill on holiday weekends. See which sites are available by searching parks at ReserveAmerica<\/a>. If the site you want is booked, you can sign up to receive an email notification when a spot opens up. <\/p>\n According to an East Bay Regional Park District spokesperson, backpacking and group camping reservations must be made over the phone; three days (72 hours) in advance for group camping and two days in advance (48 hours) for backpacking. You may book family campsites by calling in, or on ReserveAmerica, at least two days in advance (48 hours).<\/p>\n One ranger told us you could also arrive after 2 p.m. on a less-busy weekend to see if there have been any no-shows in East Bay Parks campgrounds, though you run the risk of being turned away.<\/p>\n Our tip: The Sunol Wilderness backpack camp, about a three-mile hike in from the visitor center trailhead, has\u00a0seven private sites set high in the rolling hills<\/a>. (Note: An Ohlone Wilderness Regional Trail Hiking Permit\/Map<\/a> is no longer required as of 2026.) Or, for a non-traditional backpacking trip, consider reserving a backpacking site at Sibley Volcanic Regional Park and hiking into the hills from your home in Berkeley. The Wildcat View site is currently closed due to storm damage \u2014 refer to the Park District\u2019s Seasonal and Site Closure List<\/a>.<\/p>\n Call for details: 888-327-2757, option 2<\/p>\n Why go: Mt. Tamalpais<\/a> offers the best of Bay Area nature \u2014 redwood groves, winding trails and stunning views of the Pacific. Most people visit for day hiking, but staying overnight is a more immersive way to experience the park.<\/p>\n Last-minute camping: There are two first-come, first-served tent-only campgrounds with 15 sites at Pantoll Campground and 15 at Bootjack Campground. Come between 8:30 and 10 a.m. to secure a spot for the weekend or get there on Thursday, if you can, as the campgrounds tend to fill up on weekends and holidays, rangers say. Campgrounds have bathrooms and running water, but no showers. Dispersed camping is not allowed on Mt. Tam.<\/p>\n Our tip: Take the Matt Davis to Dipsea to Steep Ravine trail for a seven-mile loop with redwoods and ocean views, or hike down into Muir Woods.<\/p>\n Call for details: 415-388-2070<\/p>\n Why go: Forests open up to stunning views on the highest ridgeline of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Castle Rock State Park<\/a> features miles of trails popular for families and sandstone rock formations that draw climbers and boulderers.<\/p>\n Last-minute camping: Only five of the 20 sites at Castle Rock Trail Camp<\/a> are reserved for first-come first-served camping<\/a>, which you can secure by first checking in with staff at the Robert C. Krikwood Parking Lot on Highway 35. It costs $15 per night (plus an $8 reservation fee) and includes overnight parking for one vehicle. The primitive campsite is 2.5 miles from the parking lot, and you have to hike in your water. This is one of San Francisco and San Jose\u2019s most popular getaways. Come early to get a parking spot, let alone a campsite.<\/p>\n Our tip: Ascend a steep slope to the top of Goat Rock for one of the area\u2019s best views. And you might spot some kid rock climbers scaling the easy sandstone terrain \u2014 this climbing area is popular for families.<\/p>\n Call for details: 408-867-2952<\/p>\n Why go: With space for over 60 backpacking parties, Henry Coe State Park<\/a> east of Morgan Hill is one of the best bets for last-minute campers around the Bay Area with options ranging from 1.5 miles to 50 miles. The 23,000-acre park is as breathtaking as it is vast, with multiple creeks and a range of wildlife and vegetation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Last-minute camping: Backpacking permits<\/a> are issued at a first-come, first-served basis at the Headquarters Visitor Center and Dowdy Ranch Visitor Center. On a holiday weekend, rangers recommend arriving Friday or early Saturday morning for permits.<\/p>\n Our tip: China Hole, a sublime swimming hole more than five miles from the Coe Ranch entrance, is worth the trek. If the Coe Ranch Entrance Visitor Center is closed, bring exact change for parking ($8 parking per night or $6 per night at Hunting Hollow) and permits ($5 per person, per night).<\/p>\n Call for details: 408-779-2728<\/p>\n Why go: Located east of Clear Lake and a half hour northeast of wine country, Cache Creek Wilderness<\/a> offers a steep river canyon formed by the creek for white-water rafting and chaparral-covered rolling hills for hiking and backpacking. The Redbud Trail is among the most popular in the park.<\/p>\n Last-minute camping: Dispersed camping and backpacking is available without a permit throughout the park. The Cowboy Camp Campground, which has 27 spots, does not tend to fill out unless there\u2019s an equestrian event going on at the same time. Dogs must be on a 6-foot-leash at all times, as it\u2019s technically a horse camp site.<\/p>\n Our tip: The best time to visit is March to May, as temperatures can rise into the 90s and 100s in the summer months and shade is limited.\u00a0Bring potable water, as the water in the creek is not recommended for human consumption, even if treated, due to high mercury levels<\/a> from abandoned mines. Check for dam releases, which may prevent you from crossing the creek.<\/p>\n Call for details: 707-468-4000 ext. 0 (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays) (We recommend using the Cache Creek page on wilderness.net<\/a> to plan your trip.)<\/p>\n Why go: Snow Mountain<\/a> is an alpine wilderness poking out of the coastal range. With 40 miles of trails on national forest land, the area offers secluded hiking opportunities among alpine meadows, woodlands and chaparral. The trails are infrequently trafficked.<\/p>\n Last-minute camping: Backpacking is available without a permit in Snow Mountain Wilderness.\u00a0According to the Mendocino National Forest website<\/a>, dispersed camping is \u201cpermissible where the Motor Vehicle Use Map<\/a> allows travel\u201d \u2014\u00a0though there are some limits, such as how far your vehicle can be parked away from the edge of the road. The Mendocino National Forest Website recommends that you \u201cnever camp in meadows.\u201d<\/p>\n Our tip: Try a nine-mile hike to the summit of Snow Mountain as an overnight backpacking trip.<\/p>\n Call for details: 530-934-3316<\/p>\n Why go: A picturesque California landscape, Laguna Mountain<\/a> and nearby Clear Creek<\/a> features chaparral, oak trees, a waterfall and mountain views. The area is 25 miles (roughly a half hour\u2019s drive) from Pinnacles National Park, where you can still day hike or rock climb if campsites are booked.<\/p>\n Last-minute camping: Campsites are available for free throughout Laguna Mountain and Clear Creek Recreation Areas, which are operated by the Bureau of Land Management, Central Coast District. Try Laguna Mountain Campground<\/a> or Sweetwater Campground<\/a>, which include fire pits and picnic tables, a rare luxury.\u00a0There is no electricity, running water or trash collection at campsites, according to the Laguna Mountain website<\/a>, so come prepared.<\/p>\n Dispersed camping is available at Laguna Mountain, but you can\u2019t camp within 200 yards of any wildlife watering improvement and must park your car within 15 feet, or roughly one vehicle length, of any roadway.<\/p>\n Our tip: From Laguna Mountain Campground, hike 1.5 miles to a waterfall (3 miles round trip) and summit Laguna Mountain on a wide trail in 3 miles (about 6 miles round trip). You can stay at a primitive campground partway to the waterfall for a more isolated camping experience. (Also, don\u2019t confuse Laguna Mountain Recreation Area with Laguna Mountain near San Diego.)<\/p>\n Call for details: 831-582-2200, ext. 0 (9 a.m. \u2013 4 p.m., Mondays-Thursdays)<\/p>\n Why go: With expansive views of Big Sur\u2019s rocky coastline, the Monterey Ranger District area of Los Padres National Forest<\/a> along Route 1 is one of the most beautiful places you can still backpack or do dispersed camping without a reservation. Reopened after years of repair from fire damage, the Pine Ridge Trail features a crowded hot spring called Sykes 11 miles in. Vicente Flat Trail<\/a>, which begins at Kirk Creek Campground, is usually a good bet for backpacking.<\/p>\n Last-minute camping possibilities: Dispersed camping is available without a reservation at various sites in the national forest, though you\u2019ll want to beware of fire restrictions and make sure you\u2019re driving a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle (the roads can be rough). Though there are limited first-come, first-served spots at Kirk Creek Campground<\/a> and Plasklett Creek Campground<\/a>, you might want to wait until a less-busy weekend to go; rangers say those spots tend to be fully occupied by Wednesday before a long weekend.<\/p>\n Our tip: Bring Tecnu and wear long sleeves and pants. The hiking trails are lined with poison oak.\u00a0Before you go, we recommend checking for road closures and conditions at BigSurTrailmap.net<\/a> and referring to the Ventana Wilderness Alliances \u201cPlan a Trip\u201d pag<\/a>e for helpful resources.<\/p>\n Call for details: 831-385-5434, ext. 0 (weekdays 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)<\/p>\n Why go: Located in the central Sierra Nevada, Stanislaus National Forest<\/a> borders Yosemite National Park and features many landscapes similar to the neighboring park but without the large crowds. You\u2019ll find swimming holes, creeks, tree-covered trails, waterfalls, whitewater rafting and more.<\/p>\n Last-minute camping: Dispersed camping is allowed off most of the roads in Stanislaus National Forest. According to the Stanislaus National Forest website<\/a>, dispersed camping is not allowed within one mile of Pinecrest Basin, along 7N83, Clark Fork Road and along Highway 108 between Clark Fork Road and Kennedy Meadows Road. Dispersed camping is also not allowed in historical and archaeological sites.<\/p>\n Our tip: Try camping at Spinning Wheel Campground<\/a>, located at the end of a forest road in the Groveland (south) area<\/a> (keep driving past the Spinning Wheel Yosemite Resort). During the day, take a dip at Rainbow Pool<\/a>, a swimming hole off the beaten path nearby, and hike the Carlon Falls Trail<\/a> to see a Yosemite waterfall. <\/p>\n Call for details: 209-532-3671 (weekdays 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) or 209-962-7825 for the Groveland District<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_0336-2560x1920.jpeg\")
Wildcat Canyon is accessible via a paved trail that starts at Inspiration Point in Tilden Regional Park. Credit: Ally Markovich<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/img_6785_720.jpg\")
A view from Mt. Tamalpais State Park of the San Francisco Bay. Credit: Zac Farber<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/img_1382_720.jpg\")
Castle Rock State Park. Credit: Michael Nowels<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Backpacker2.png\")
Henry Coe State Park is a reliable, last-minute backpacking destination. Credit: Victoria Sung<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/803.jpg\")
Cache Creek Wilderness offers rafting and hiking on rolling hills within two hours of Berkeley. Credit: Bureau of Land Management<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/50997225240_c4fe01fe23_k.jpg\")
On Laguna Mountain, rolling hills covered with chaparral give way to expansive views. Credit: Jesse Pluim, BLM<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1809-2560x1920.jpeg\")
A view of the Pacific Ocean and foothills from Vicente Flat Trail in Los Padres National Forest. Credit: Ally Markovich<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-133.png\")
Inside the Stanislaus National Forest. Credit: Nico Savidge<\/p>\n