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 (insert link). It is a very popular swimming destination during the hot California foothill summers with some of the clearest swimming hole 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 three (3) 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.

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.

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 two (2) remaining drive-up sites are 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.

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 mile 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.

Charges & Cancellations

Reservation Rules

RULE NAME DESCRIPTION WHEN?

Maximum Consecutive Stay You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Maximum Stay You may stay up to 14 nights total at this campground within any calendar quarter (Jan-March, April-June, etc)

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

Maximum Reservations per Transaction You may pay for up to 2 reservations at one time within the same credit card transaction. All Year

Maximum Total Reservations You may hold up to 2 current or upcoming reservations at this campground. All Year

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

If I book this reservation today, what are my options to change or cancel?

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.

Changes

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:

• Adding or removing nights to your stay.

• Changing to a different campsite.

Balances will adjust based on your new stay's nightly rate.

Cancellations

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:

• $10 cancellation fee

• Any reservation fees (only if paid when booking)

• Any previous change fees

Late cancellation penalties may also apply:

What is “Late”?

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.

Late Fee

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.

Changes and Cancellations

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.