Map showing campground location near La Grange, California

Camper submitted image from Barrett Cove Recreation Area

Barrett Cove Recreation Area

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Managed by the Merced Irrigation District, Barrett Cove Recreation Area sits along Lake McClure (Exchequer Reservoir) in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of La Grange, providing drive-in access to one of the more fully equipped campgrounds in the region. Sites are spread across hillside loops, and the layout means some spots sit on elevated ground with open views toward the surrounding hills and water below. Full hookups are available, including electric, water, and sewer connections, with a 45-foot RV length limit, a dump station, and WiFi on site.

Site quality varies noticeably by loop. Reviewers have flagged that some hillside spots can be difficult to level with longer trailers, and at least one camper snapped a stabilizer bolt attempting to back into a sloped pull-in. The bathroom facilities, by contrast, have drawn consistent praise: clean, well-maintained, and stocked with quality supplies. A boat launch nearby sees activity during fishing season, though as Twindaddy notes, "the lake wasn't obnoxiously noisy as some lakes can become." Mountain bike trails are accessible directly from the campground.

Campers with larger rigs should request a site assignment in advance and confirm the slope and pad dimensions before committing to a spot. McClure Point Recreation Area, a few miles south, is worth considering if hookups are less of a priority and site geometry matters more. For a broader look at campgrounds around Lake McClure (Exchequer Reservoir), options range from full-service to dispersed. Spring and fall visits tend to avoid both peak heat and peak crowds.

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Map & DirectionsBarrett Cove Recreation Area is located in California near La Grange

Public Campground

Coordinates

37.64200041 N
120.288 W

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Connectivity

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VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
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Excellent Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Dispersed
Group
Cabins

Features

For Campers

Market
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
30 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations

+18558002267

Drive Time

37 min from Merced, CA
53 min from Modesto, CA
1 hr 22 min from Stockton, CA
1 hr 27 min from Fresno, CA

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Reviews4 Camper Reviews - Barrett Cove Recreation Area

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

4 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the helpful staff and well-maintained facilities, particularly the clean bathrooms and showers. Site quality varies with great hilltop views but challenging terrain for large RVs on some spots.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Twindaddy

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 17, 2024

Back for more

This time I brought a friend who hadn't been here before.

As usual, the staff was great! Very friendly at our arrival and in the evening while performing their drive-by checks.

This time I actually tried the showers and I was not disappointed. Great water pressure, plenty warm and cleaner than you might expect. Sure, there are some bugs that get in, but it was way nicer than showering in my van.

The bathrooms are well maintained and stocked with paper towels and tp. They really do a nice job here.

The riding was great. We were in awe of how empty it was. Father's Day weekend and we never came across anyone else on the trails.

We did have to relocate. My buddy couldn't get his RV into the hillside spot we'd reserved - M49 I think it was.

SiteM53

Month of VisitJune

(6) View All

Twindaddy

Guide

Reviewed May. 3, 2024

Continues to be a great MTB destination

Since my initial visit in 2021 I've been back 4 or 5 times now. I guess that means I like it.

Generally, it's a great place - especially for mountain biking fans. Perhaps also for fishing and other activities, but that's outside my scope of interest.

On my first return visit I went to the same spot as the first visit. It was a bad choice - crowded and full of RVs who ran their generators all night long. The next morning I scouted out some better spots. The ranger was quite accommodating and allowed me to move to a quiet spot on top of a hill. This area has become my "go to" as it's close to the Exchequer trailhead and away from boaters.

Subsequent visits have been much better.

Could be a 5 star place, but shade is hard to come by in some areas and some clusters of camp sites get noisy when they're used by groups.

None of my complaints will stop me from going again - the trails are great and keep getting better.

The photos are from various visits.

Month of VisitApril

(4) View All

Twindaddy

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 5, 2021

Came for the mountain biking, stayed for more

To be honest, I didn't experience much of the campground, but that parts that I did were above my expectations. A friend and I went in March of 2021 to ride the mountain bike trails. I reserved our spots on-line with no knowledge of the layout aside from the PDF map. It turns out I picked a nicely isolated spot with great hill top views.

Down the hill from us - about 1/8 mile - was a nicely maintained bathroom. as my buddy said, it was a 4.5 of 5 stars. It was clean, smelled good and, get this, had nice toilet paper! This was a pleasant surprise after a night of tacos and beer.

Our spaces were basic, but included covered picnic benches. These came in handy for drying our wet biking clothes.

Shortly after our arrival the nice ranger rolled by to say hi. I imagine he may have had other objectives, but since you can't get in without passing through the ranger station I can't imagine it was to check our permit.

The place was not crowded (rain was in the forecast, and the forecast was accurate), so we can't tell what it's like when full. The rain didn't impact the trails much - they drain well and have a lot of sand it seems - so we rode upon arrival, again after a few beers that afternoon, again the next morning and again after a couple beers that afternoon. On day 3 I stuck around by myself just to enjoy the solitude. It was a good move.

During our stay I think there was a fishing competition. Down the hill and around the corner was a boat launch and that place looked to have some activity. Regardless, the lake wasn't obnoxiously noisy as some lakes can become.

Overall we were very pleased with the camping and the trails. I know the area gets really hot in summer, so it may not be great then. We plan to return in the fall after the height of camping season subsides and the temps becomes moderate.

Month of VisitMarch

(4) View All

David B.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 27, 2021

HILLS!

The staff there were great, very helpful and accommodating. They put us in G loop #19 which was pretty much on a hill and with my 33 foot travel trailer, there was no way for me to get it in there and level. I actually snapped a bolt off my stabilizer trying to back my rig in there, so we told the rangers we wouldn’t be comfortable in that spot even though it had full hook ups, so they moved us to McClure Point Rec Area. If you are planing to come out here, check out McClure Point Rec Area...much better sites and way better views, no sewer hook ups, but it’s worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do visitors say in reviews about Barrett Cove Recreation Area?

Visitors consistently praise the staff at Barrett Cove Recreation Area for being helpful, friendly, and accommodating. The campground exceeds expectations for many guests, with some returning multiple times after their initial visit. Mountain biking enthusiasts particularly enjoy the area for its trails. The campground's cleanliness is noted positively, with well-maintained facilities. Some campsites, particularly in G loop, may present challenges for larger rigs due to uneven terrain, so selecting an appropriate site for your equipment is important.

What amenities are available at Barrett Cove Recreation Area?

Barrett Cove Recreation Area offers clean, well-maintained shower facilities with excellent water pressure and ample hot water. The campground features various camping loops with numbered sites. Staff regularly perform evening security checks throughout the grounds. Mountain biking trails are accessible from the campground. For additional information about specific amenities like water hookups, electrical connections, dump stations, or playground facilities, contact the recreation area directly before your visit.

How is the camping experience at Barrett Cove on Lake McClure?

The camping experience at Barrett Cove on Lake McClure is enjoyable with sites that accommodate various camping setups, though some areas have challenging terrain for larger RVs. The G loop in particular has some hillside sites that may be difficult to level in. The campground is especially popular among mountain bikers who appreciate the direct access to trails. Staff members enhance the experience with their helpful attitudes and regular presence. The clean facilities, including well-maintained showers, contribute to a comfortable stay. Reservations can be made online, and a campground map is available to help select suitable sites.

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