Overview

Merced River Recreation Management Area Overview 

The Merced River Recreation Area is a special place just downstream from Yosemite. It is well known for excellent whitewater boating, wildflower viewing, camping, swimming, and recreational gold panning/prospecting.   

Visitors will have plenty to do in the Merced River Recreation Area during every season.  Springtime comes early to the Merced River Canyon and by March the wildflower season is well on its way—lasting into May.  Easy access, un-damned flows, and excellent whitewater boating attract rafters and kayakers during the spring runoff (April through July). Commercial rafting trips are available from the following BLM permitted outfitters: All Outdoors, ARTA, OARS, and Zephyr (Contact outfitters directly for more information).  It is a very popular swimming destination during the hot California foothill summers with some of the clearest swimming holes around.  Gold panning and prospecting have never fallen out of favor since the 1850’s when this canyon had a large mining population.  In autumn the crowds subside and the Merced River Recreation Area provides more solitude while still offering most of the appeal and activities as earlier in the year.  By winter, true solitude can be found.  The weather is usually quite warm and sunny between storms.  Daytime highs in the 60’s and overnight lows in the 30’s are common.

While some activities are best in specific seasons, there are many things to do all year long. Bird watching is good throughout the area most of the year. Fishing is popular for trout and bass along the entire river. Biking along the gravel roads and trails is popular with families and experienced mountain bikers alike. Hiking is great anytime of the year. The Merced River Trail continues on downstream from the end of the campground River Road and brings hikers or bikers to the North Fork of the Merced and beyond. The Burma Grade is another popular route to explore on foot, bike, or high-clearance automobile. This scenic backroad climbs steeply out of the Merced Canyon and eventually leads to Greely Hill or Buck Meadows (highway 120).   

McCabe Flat Campground Overview 

After crossing the historic Briceburg Suspension Bridge, McCabe Flat Campground is 2.2 miles downstream along the Merced River Road. This is the first of three campgrounds operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) along the Wild and Scenic Merced River. This is a popular destination campground during spring and summer.   

McCabe Flat Campground has a large designated swimming area and beach. No dogs are allowed on the beach or swimming area! Dogs are allowed on leash at all other locations managed by BLM in the region. 

There are eight (8) walk-in campsites and two (2) drive-up campsites. The walk-in sites are between 50 and 200 feet from the parking lot. An accessible crushed rock trail leads to each site. One of the two drive-up sites (#10) is a group campsite suitable for up to 20 people and 6 vehicles.

Facilities

Each of the three BLM Merced River Campgrounds includes the following features:

• Vault toilet(s), and seasonal port-o-potties

• Bearproof garbage cans.

• Bearproof recycling cans.

• Bearproof food locker in each site

• Picnic table in each site

• Fire ring in each site

• Bulletin board with local information, rules and regulations

• Parking areas.

• Self-pay fee system.

• McCabe Flat Campground has a designated swimming area—NO DOGS ALLOWED.

Natural Features

McCabe Flat Campground is situated on the shore of the Wild and Scenic Merced River. Nine (9) of the campsites are within 100 feet of the river. The Group Site is on the other side of the Old Yosemite Railroad Grade/Merced River Road; about 150 yards from the water. The river is the main natural feature here.

The Merced River Trail follows the Old Yosemite Railroad Grade past where cars can drive. This trail is spectacular during springtime (February-April)! It provides good access to more secluded swimming and fishing holes downstream from the campgrounds. This trail also provides access to the North Fork Merced where swimming and wildflower viewing is excellent in spring to early summer.

Wildflower viewing is great all along the Merced River. The best season to see the colorful display is February through April.  

California Newts are common in this area. They are active in the winter and spring especially on wet days. They are slow moving docile creatures, but do not touch or pick them up. They have a neurotoxin in their skin that is poisonous to people and pets. Do not eat them.

Recreation

The Merced River Recreation Management Area was established because of the outstanding recreational opportunities found here. The proximity to Yosemite National Park attracts people from around the world to camp, boat, swim, and play along the Merced River.

Whitewater rafting opportunities are excellent with easy road-side access. Established launch sites upstream near El Portal are Redbud, Indian Flat, Old Suspension Bridge, and Briceburg Day-Use Area. Take-out locations include Briceburg Day Use Area, Railroad Flat Boat Ramp, and Bagby.

Hiking along the Merced River Trail/Old Yosemite Railroad Grade is good year around.

Camping along the Merced River has been a cherished recreational activity for generations of families for a hundred years. Picnicking, nature study, hobby gold prospecting, wildflower viewing, birding, mountain biking, and swimming are all popular recreational activities within the Merced River Recreation Management Area/Wild and Scenic Merced River.

Nearby Attractions

• Yosemite National Park is the main attraction in Mariposa County. The Arch Rock Entrance Station is 22.8 miles from McCabe Flat Campground (20 miles from Briceburg Visitor Center on Highway 140).

• California State Mining and Mineral Museum is located at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds--14.2 miles from the Briceburg Visitor Center.

• Mariposa Museum and History Center is in downtown Mariposa 12 miles from Briceburg Visitor Center. 5119 Jessie St Mariposa, CA 95338

• Splash-n-Dash Aqua Park at Lake McSwain is 45 miles from Briceburg Visitor Center.

Important Notices

• Please print this reservation with the QR code and post it on the Camp Site Post when you arrive. Alternately, enter your Reservation # onto the provided Fee Envelope on-site to attach to the Camp Site Post.

• Water

  • A drinking water tap is located on north side of Briceburg Suspension Bridge at Bulletin Board Kiosk. No drinking water at Campground. OK to use river water for washing.

  Access

  • The Briceburg Suspension Bridge is difficult to cross with large vehicles. We do not recommend crossing the suspension bridge with trailers longer than 18 feet, or RV’s longer than 22 feet. Use a second person outside the vehicle to help spot.

  • The Merced River Road leading to the campgrounds is a narrow gravel and dirt road. Large potholes are common. The speed limit is 15 mph throughout with 5 mph in the campgrounds. Please drive slowly and pull over in turnouts to allow other vehicles to pass.

  Fire

  • Campfires are allowed only in designated metal fire rings in designated campsites.

  • No campfires on the beach!

  • Fire Restrictions occur every summer. Each year is slightly different depending on current environmental conditions. Usually by July, campfires and charcoal fires are not allowed. Propane or gas stoves and BBQs are nearly always allowed. Check for current status https://www.blm.gov/office/mother-lode-field-office

  Safety

  • Swimming is only recommended when the water is below 700 cubic feet per second. https://www.dreamflows.com/graphs/day.225.php

  • No lifeguards are on duty. The Merced River is undammed, and its flow changes dramatically through the year.

  • Inner tubing is inherently dangerous and not recommended when the water is above 700 cubic feet per second.

  • Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) are required for all float trips launching from one place and taking out at another. This includes inner tubing. At flows above 700 cfs, a wetsuit and helmet are also recommended regardless of boat type.

  Communication

  • Cell service is limited along the Merced Wild and Scenic River. Verizon service is poor at best near the Briceburg Visitor Center, McCabe Flat Campground, and at Good Gulch (just upstream from Willow Placer Campground).  

  • The Briceburg Visitor Center is open May-August Saturday and Sunday 9-5.  However,  WiFi is available year-round for visitors to help communicate with your party and make travel arrangements including creating Recreation.gov reservations online. 

  • Many modern phones offer satellite messaging (iPhone 14 and newer). Practice this feature before you need it.

  • Do not count on having cell service once you travel downstream from the Briceburg Visitor Center.

  Non-reservable sites:

  ·      Some sites remain available on-site for first come first serve.  This will be reflected in the available inventory on Recreation.gov at time of booking.

  ·      A campsite is considered occupied only once the fee is paid in full, the fee envelope is properly completed, the pay stub is attached to the campsite post, and the tent is up/camp is set-up.

  ·      The camping fee is $29 per site per night. With a Golden Age/Senior Pass, or Golden Access/Person with disability Pass, the fee is half price.

• Supplemental Rules

  The following Supplemental Rules are misdemeanor laws that are in force within the Merced River Recreation Management Area defined as one quarter mile upstream from Briceburg to one quarter mile downstream from Railroad Flat Campground and one quarter mile each side of the Merced River. They have been established for visitor safety and to protect the natural recourses. 

  a. No person shall discharge a firearm within a quarter mile of each side of the Merced River.

  b. No person shall occupy a campsite with more than two motor vehicles or more than eight adults.

  c. No person shall camp outside the designated campgrounds.

  d. No person shall operate a motor vehicle on the Old Railroad Bed between Lake McClure and Railroad Flat Campground; or between Briceburg and the National Forest Boundary.

  e. No person shall operate a motor vehicle on the Briceburg Road unless it is registered for street use in California.

  f. No person shall operate a motor vehicle off the Briceburg Road or the developed Campground Road.

  g. No person shall enter a developed campground between 10 pm and 6 am unless that person is a registered camper.

  h. No person shall operate or possess a motor vehicle or motorized equipment in the classified “Wild” section of the Merced River; which is described as the section between the high-water mark of Lake McClure and the Railroad Flat Campground.

  i. No person shall possess any glass beverage container within one quarter mile of each side of the Merced River.

  j. No person shall occupy a campsite for longer that 30 minutes without paying the required fee and displaying the tag on the campsite post.

Available Activities

• Backpacking - Backpacking
• Biking - Biking
• Birding - Birding
• Camping - Camping
• Boating - Boating
• Gold Panning - Gold Panning
• Hiking - Hiking
• Kayaking - Kayaking
• Mountain Biking - Mountain Biking
• Rafting - Rafting
• Picnicking - Picnicking
• River Trips - River Trips
• Scenic Drive - Scenic Drive
• Swimming - Swimming
• Visitor Center - Visitor Center
• Water Access - Water Access
• Whitewater Rafting - Whitewater Rafting
• Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife Viewing

Directions

<p>From Mariposa, take highway 140 east to Briceburg, where the highway first meets the Merced River. Turn into Briceburg and cross the Old Briceburg Suspension Bridge. Follow the Briceburg Road downstream 2.3 miles to McCabe Flat Campground.</p> <p>From Yosemite/El Portal, take highway 140 west (downstream) to Briceburg, where the highway starts to climb away from the Merced River. Turn into Briceburg and cross the Old Briceburg Suspension Bridge. Follow the Briceburg Road downstream 2.3 miles to McCabe Flat Campground.</p>

Cancellation Policy

<p>Reservation Rules</p><p></p><p>Maximum Consecutive Stay You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.</p><p>Maximum Stay You may stay up to 14 nights total at this campground within any calendar quarter (Jan-March, April-June, etc)</p><p>Max Concurrent Stay You may hold up to 2 reservations on any given night at this campground. Each campsite is its own reservation. All Year</p><p>Maximum Reservations per Transaction You may pay for up to 2 reservations at one time within the same credit card transaction. All Year</p><p>Maximum Total Reservations You may hold up to 2 current or upcoming reservations at this campground. All Year</p><p>Maximum Reservation Changes You may modify this reservation up to 2 times. Modifications only count towards this rule if there is a change in balance. It does not impact other reservation data in the order details. Reservation creation does not count towards this rule. All Year</p><p>If I book this reservation today, what are my options to change or cancel?</p><p>Please remember that reservations at these facilities prevent other visitors from using these sites. Planned changes to your stay should be made as far in advance as possible. You can make changes to your reservation ahead of your arrival date in My Reservations.</p><p>Changes</p><p>If your new stay dates are completely different from your original stay dates, there is a $10 change fee (per reserved site). There are no additional fees for:</p><p>• Adding or removing nights to your stay.</p><p>• Changing to a different campsite.</p><p>Balances will adjust based on your new stay's nightly rate.</p><p>Cancellations</p><p>You can cancel the reservation any time before the date of your scheduled arrival. You will receive a refund for your stay, minus the following fees:</p><p>• $10 cancellation fee</p><p>• Any reservation fees (only if paid when booking)</p><p>• Any previous change fees</p><p>Late cancellation penalties may also apply:</p><p>What is “Late”?</p><p>For individual campsites, a late cancellation applies starting from midnight 1 calendar day before your scheduled check-in. For cabins and group sites, a late cancellation applies starting from midnight 14 calendar days or fewer before your scheduled check-in.</p><p>Late Fee</p><p>In addition to the fees listed above, a late cancellation will also subtract your first night's recreation use fee from any refund owed. As of the expected check-in day, cancellations or changes to your stay are not possible through My Reservations. It is at the facility's discretion to support additional Late Cancellations, No Show, or Early Departure updates – on-site personnel may not be able to assist. These changes carry penalties and may forfeit recreation use fees. For additional details, please visit here.</p><p>Changes and Cancellations</p><p>Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance of arrival date only incur a $10 transaction fee. Within 48 hours, $10 and the first night's fee are charged (Exception: 1 night reservations do not incur an additional $10 fee, but do not receive a refund). No-shows will be assessed a $20 service fee along with the loss of the first night's fee.</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 916 941-3101 Mother Lode Field Office Main Phone

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip