Lumsden Bridge Campground

I've been coming here year round for 40 years. I still love this place because I know every fishing hole for about 2 miles up and down stream and I have spent probably over 1000 nights of my life here; unfortunately its not what it was and according to the Groveland Rangers Department it will never be or at least in our life time (verbatim). The cons are, the main attraction "the Lumbsden Bridge" is closed by road and the best camp sites which were on the other-side of the bridge are basically washed out.  I was told by the ranger it will not open again in our lifetime because all the funds to maintain the washed out road that leads to the bridge and campsites was used up to build and maintain the rafters launch pad, park area and bathrooms and that CA rangers are underfunded and staffed. This place now caters to rafters, the launch pad area destroyed the natural beauty by building them a really nice launch area.  Good luck finding a camp spot during prime rafting season and the rafting community HERE is not as friendly as many other outdoor communities, I say "HERE" meaning the Lumbsden Bridge; for some reason these people think they own this place. No bait fishing downstream of the bridge Lumbsden Bridge, if you want to bait fish you have to hike passed the bridge. The pro's are, once the rafters are gone their little launch and beach makes a fun hang out but its only large enough for maybe 3 small families. We showed up once and a young guy and his girl friend wanted the small beach to themselves, we got in there, offered them hot dogs and drinks and they left all butt-hurt. Anyway, other cool people came and enjoyed and we all shared like we all should. There are beautiful campsites. Bring a saw or sawzall or large cutters in the spring; I would actually bring them year round to be safe. I was last there in November and had to cut branches to access a camp site. I do have a sprinter, but I still cut when I bring my jeep.  There are some real fun rock hang outs up stream and under the main Lumbsden Bridge.

Difficult to get to, but worth the drive! Free camping with large drive-in sites on River bank. Fire pit, tables, bear box and vault toilets only. Very peaceful campground with little traffic!

We love free campgrounds and this was a great one! We headed here after hiking out of Yosemite and it was about 8pm before we got to the turn. A ranger was blocking the road because a truck had fallen off the road earlier in the day and the tow trucks were just finishing up. He told us that it would only be about a half hour, but he warned us that the drive down is dangerous with a big drop off. The road is narrow-only wide enough for one car and the pull offs are few and far between.

The campground is at the bottom of a valley right along a roaring river. it was dark when we finally got there so we could only appreciate the stars and the sound of the water, but we were blown away when we woke up.

We did get up early though because I was worried about running into another car on the road, though I don't think this is that big of a deal because you can see pretty far ahead of you so you would know if someone else was driving down well in advance.

We camped in our truck bed, but there are lots of good tent spots. I wouldn't recommend driving an RV down, but it is probably doable.

The dirt road to get to this campground was kind of long for a low-clearance vehicle, although we made the 5-mile trip with our Ford Fiesta. The campground doesn't seem to be very frequented, so there's a good chance you'll find a spot and there is no fee to stay here. There was recently a forest fire in this area, so expect to find some charred trees, but there is still plenty of shade. Bear-proof containers are provided at each campsite, as well as picnic tables and fire rings.