Mccabe Flat Campground

Star4.43
76 reviews
Top 15% in CASummer
SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

1,073 ft

Price

$20 - $40/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Not specified

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly
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Campground Map

Mccabe Flat Campground

37.5966, -120.0035

Nearby places
Merced (approximately 40 miles, ~50 minutes), Mariposa (12 miles, ~15 minutes)

Weather at Mccabe Flat Campground



About Mccabe Flat Campground





RV details


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Mccabe Flat Campground
$20.00 - $40.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Drive-up Campsite: $20.00; Group Drive-up Campsite: $40.00; Walk-in Campsite: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9...
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Standard Site Fee$10.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
916 941-3101 Mother Lode Field Office Main PhoneBLM_CA_Web_ML@blm.gov

Go if

You want foothills river access with swimming and fishing during warm-weather months.

Skip if

You need developed amenities beyond vault toilets or prefer campgrounds with fewer insects.


Campgrounds
Merced River Recreation Management Area
Mccabe Flat Campground
C

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 32% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 31 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

  • Grade A+.Value
  • Grade B+.Belonging
  • Grade B.Scenery

Watch-outs

  • Grade C-.Safety
  • Grade C.Crowds & noise
  • Grade C.Staff & hosts

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

About Merced River Recreation Management Area

Context for the broader area surrounding Mccabe Flat Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

<p>Remember your <a href="https://www.blm.gov/learn/outdoorethics" rel="nofollow"> OUTDOOR ETHICS</a> when enjoying your public lands. Please<a href="https://www.recreateresponsibly.org" rel="nofollow"> RECREATE RESPONSIBLY</a>.</p> <h3>The Merced River Campgrounds are fully OPEN for 2023.</h3> <hr/> <h3>Campgrounds, Trailheads and Day Use Areas:</h3> <p>There are three (3) developed BLM campgrounds along the Merced River between Briceburg and Bagby. The campgrounds are accessed by crossing the suspension bridge just past the Briceburg Visitor Center and heading down river along the unpaved Briceburg River 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.</p> <p><strong>Campsites are $10/night/site. </strong> <strong>First come, first served.  Bear-proof food storage lockers at all campsites.</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/mccabe-flat-campground" rel="nofollow">McCabe Flat Campground</a> - 2.3 miles downstream from Briceburg</li> <li><a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/willow-placer-campground" rel="nofollow">Willow Placer Campground</a> - 3.6 miles downstream from Briceburg</li> <li><a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/railroad-flat-campground" rel="nofollow">Railroad Flat Campground</a> - 4.5 miles downstream from Briceburg</li> <li><a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/north-fork-primitive-camp" rel="nofollow">North Fork Primitive Camp</a> - 2.5 miles downstream from Railroad Flat Campground</li> <li><a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/cable-rock-day-use-site" rel="nofollow">Cable Rock Day Use Site</a> - 1.4 miles downstream from Briceburg</li> <li><a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/search-details/274292/1" rel="nofollow">Briceburg Day Use/Put-in </a> - Hwy 140 at Merced River, 12 miles east of Mariposa</li> </ul> <h3>Overview</h3> <p>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.</p> <p>The Merced River Trail continues on downstream from the end of the Briceburg River 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 Greely Hill or Buck Meadows (Highway 120).</p> <h3>Need a Map?</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/docs/2021-06/MercedRiverRecArea8x14_map_508c.pdf" rel="nofollow">Merced River Recreation Area Map</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Merced_Campground.pdf" rel="nofollow">Merced Campground Site Map</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/media-center-public-room-california-merced-river-recreation-map.pdf" rel="nofollow">Merced River Existing Mining Claims Map</a></li> </ul> <h3>Helpful Links:</h3> <ul> <li>Recreation Passes: <a href="https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/passes" rel="nofollow">America the Beautiful — National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass</a></li> <li>Return To: <a href="https://www.blm.gov/office/mother-lode-field-office" rel="nofollow">BLM, Mother Lode Field Office</a></li> <li>Visit: <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/briceburg-visitor-center" rel="nofollow">Briceburg Visitor Center</a></li> </ul>

Directions

<p>From the city of Merced, located on U.S. Highway 99, travel 40 miles east on State Highway 140 to the town of Mariposa. Then travel another 15 miles along Highway 140 to the Briceburg Visitor Center at the Merced Wild & Scenic River.</p> <p>There are three developed BLM campgrounds along the Merced River between Briceburg and Bagby. The campgrounds are accessed by crossing the suspension bridge just past the Briceburg Visitor Center and heading down river along the unpaved Briceburg River Road (old Yosemite Valley Railroad Grade).</p> <p>NOTE: Trailers over 18 feet and large RV's are not recommended crossing the suspension bridge.</p>

Download area map (PDF)