Where can you camp for free near Sacramento?

You can camp for free near Sacramento in Eldorado National Forest, where most of the land is open to dispersed camping at no charge.

There's no trash service, so pack out everything, bring your own water and camp at least 100 feet from streams and lakes. You can stay up to 10 days per district each calendar year, and you need a free California campfire permit for a campfire, stove or lantern.

In Sacramento itself, city code bans camping on public and private property.