Carrizo Plain Soda Lake Dispersed Area

Set on the vast Carrizo Plain, this dispersed camping area sits on the edge of California’s largest natural grassland preserve. Sites are informal pull-offs scattered along dirt roads with panoramic views of the Temblor Range and Caliente Mountains. During wet springs, wildflowers transform the plain into a stunning mosaic of colors — lupine, goldfields, and coreopsis stretching to the horizon. The area can accommodate dozens of rigs with plenty of space between camps.

Access via Soda Lake Road from Highway 58 — paved for the first 15 miles, then well-maintained dirt. Best visited March through May for wildflowers, though camping is allowed year-round. Bring all water and supplies; the nearest services are in Taft, 40 miles away. Wind can be fierce, and summer temperatures soar above 100°F. No facilities, but the solitude and night skies are unmatched.

Wildflower superbloom headquarters