Where to camp without reservation out west?

In Truckee, CA, there are a couple of private campgrounds or forest service campgrounds (Martis Lake is one). Beautiful area, close to Lake Tahoe, lots of hiking, biking and scenery.

Will pass this on to my friend. He'll let me know if they are going make the trek. Thanks

High altitude boondocking in the Sierras, perhaps? Or in the Kaibab National Forest on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon? Maybe near Bryce in the Dixie Nat Forest?

This is really a generalized question. Do you have a specific area where they'll be passing thru? What is their route and where exactly will you be meeting up with them?

There are many places in those three states where you can get a site without reservations. It just depends on the above.

Yes, we do it all summer long. But of course, Californis is pretty big, so where do you want to go?

4runnerguy wrote:
Many of the BLM and NFS CG's in NV are first come, first served. Except on busy weekends, you'll often have the whole campground to yourself. In NV, most (if not all) of the SP's are also first come, first served. Some CG's are actually at a little higher elevation and not quite so hot. Plus the desert cools off at night.

Are these just places to stop while passing through to see you, or are they looking to vacation at these places?

This.

Check uscampgrounds.info

for a good list of public campgrounds. It gives elevations of the campgrounds, which is a good way to hunt for something cooler.

Many of the BLM and NFS CG's in NV are first come, first served. Except on busy weekends, you'll often have the whole campground to yourself. In NV, most (if not all) of the SP's are also first come, first served. Some CG's are actually at a little higher elevation and not quite so hot. Plus the desert cools off at night.

Are these just places to stop while passing through to see you, or are they looking to vacation at these places?

Most BLM land will be to hot. Many CGs will be OK because many have left for cooler areas or call the day before for a reservation. Popular areas will require reservations. Grand Canyon, Yosemite and much of the coast CGs are probably already full but they might be able to stay nearby and drive in.

Sometimes there will be a cancellation and you can get a late reservation and if that happens make it then.

Not too hot in those places in the summer? I wish you luck.

Shouldn't be any problem in southern AZ in the summer.
Snowbirds have gone back home.