Merced River Recreation Management Area | California

Overview

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

The Merced River Trail continues downstream from the end of the Briceburg Campground Road and brings hikers or bikers to the North Fork of the Merced River and beyond. The Burma Grade road is another popular route to explore on foot, bike, or high-clearance automobile. This scenic backroad climbs steeply out of the Merced River Canyon and eventually leads to the towns of Greely Hill or Buck Meadows (CA-120).

Campgrounds, Trailheads and Day Use Areas:

There are three (3) developed BLM campgrounds along the Merced River after it bends away from CA-140. The campgrounds are accessed by crossing the suspension bridge just beyond the Visitor Center and heading down river along the unpaved Briceburg Campground Road (old Yosemite Valley Railroad Grade). It is NOT recommended for trailers over 18 feet or large RV's to cross over the suspension bridge.

Campsites are $20/night/site** excluding booking fees.** Reservations are required for all sites and same-day reservations may be available. Bear-proof food storage lockers are at all campsites. Camping stay limit is 14 days within a 90-day period.

• McCabe Flat Campground - 2.3 miles downstream from Briceburg Visitor Center
• Willow Placer Campground - 3.6 miles downstream from Briceburg Visitor Center
• Railroad Flat Campground - 4.5 miles downstream from Briceburg Visitor Center
• North Fork Primitive Camp - 2.5 miles downstream from Railroad Flat Campground
• Cable Rock Day Use Site - 1.4 miles downstream from Briceburg Visitor Center
• Briceburg Day Use/Put-in- CA-140 at Merced River, 12 miles east of Mariposa

Need a Map?

• Merced River Recreation Area Map
• Merced Campground Site Map
• Merced River Existing Mining Claims Map

Helpful Links:

• Recreation Passes: America the Beautiful — National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
• Return To: BLM, Mother Lode Field Office
• Visit: Briceburg Visitor Center

What to do

• Accessible swimming
• Biking
• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Picnicking
• Visitor center
• Wildlife viewing
• Day use area
• Photography
• Paddling

Getting there

From the city of Merced, located on CA-99, travel 40 miles east on CA-140 to the town of Mariposa. Then travel another 15 miles along CA-140 to the Visitor Center at the Merced Wild & Scenic River. There are three (3) developed BLM campgrounds along the Merced River after it bends away from CA-140. The campgrounds are accessed by crossing the suspension bridge just beyond the Visitor Center and heading down river along the unpaved Briceburg Campground Road. It is NOT recommended for trailers over 18 feet or large RV's to cross over the suspension bridge. NOTE: Trailers over 18 feet and large RV's are not recommended crossing the suspension bridge.

Fees

Reserve campsites at recreation.gov.

Additional Information

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Bureau of Land Management.

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