Camping

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General Information

The Mother Lode Field Office manages several developed campgrounds: the South Yuba River Trail and Campground (Nevada County), and the Merced River Trail and Campground  which  includes McCabe Flat, Willow Placer, and Railroad Flat (Merced County).  Select the site below for more detailed information.

Most of the public lands administered by the Mother Lode Field Office are available for casual camping, which means you can set up camp outside a developed campground. If you do, you will be expected to set up a fire-safe camp, with adequate sanitary arrangements. Casual campers should also bring their own drinking water; the water available in many rivers, streams or lakes is not suitable for human consumption without treatment.

Campground sites are on a first come, first serve basis and no reservations are available. They usually sell out each Friday and Saturday night from June-August. Camping is only permitted in designated sites in the Campgrounds.

All campers should be aware there is a 14-day limit on the use of any campsite on public lands.

Sites