McCabe Flat Campground, near Midpines, California, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a touch of adventure. This campground is all about the natural beauty, with the Merced River right next door, offering a refreshing escape on hot days.

The sites here are well-kept, and visitors appreciate the clean restrooms that are maintained regularly. Many campers have enjoyed the peacefulness of the area, with some noting that the river provides a perfect backdrop for fishing and swimming. One happy camper mentioned, “There’s a great little swimming hole just up the path,” highlighting the fun to be had right outside your tent.

If you’re planning to visit Yosemite, this campground is just about an hour away, making it a great base for day trips. The surrounding area is also perfect for hiking, with plenty of trails to explore. Just remember to arrive early to snag a good spot, as it can fill up quickly on weekends.

While there are no electric hookups or potable water, the campground offers a rustic experience that many find refreshing. Campers have noted the friendly atmosphere, with neighbors often sharing stories around the fire. Just keep an eye on your food; the local wildlife can be quite curious!

Remember your [ OUTDOOR ETHICS](https://www.blm.gov/learn/outdoorethics) when enjoying your public lands. Please[ RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.](https://www.recreateresponsibly.org) No water in campground. Drinking water available at the Briceburg Bridge. ### Overview The first of three BLM campgrounds within the Merced River Recreation Management Area is McCabe Flat. The campground is located 2.3 miles west (downstream) from the Briceburg suspension bridge along the Wild & Scenic Merced River. The Briceburg River Road runs along the historic Yosemite Valley Railroad grade that follows the Merced River. It is an unpaved, dirt & gravel rough road with many potholes, but can easily be navigated with ordinary passenger vehicles traveling within the 15 miles per hour speed limit. Turn-outs are located all along the road. Loop turnarounds are provided in each of the three campgrounds. McCabe Flat Campground hosts one of the biggest sandy beaches in the area. There is a designated swimming area and no dogs are allowed on the beach. All other areas of the Merced River Recreation Area allow dogs on leash. ### Facilities in McCabe Flat Campground (11 sites total): * 8 Walk-in camp sites * 3 drive-up camp sites * 2 vault toilets * 1 Port-o-let toilet _(seasonal near site 10 and 11)_ * Trash collection cans * Recycling collection cans * Main parking lot * Overflow parking lot * Drive-thru turn-around * Designated swimming beach * Self-pay Iron Ranger fee system * There are picnic tables, fire grills, and food storage lockers at all camp sites. * All campsites are within 200 feet of the river ### Permits, Fees, and Limitations: * Camp fee is **$10.00 per site per night.** America the Beautiful Pass fee is $5.00/site/night. * Camping is allowed only in designated, numbered camp sites. * Maximum 8 people and two vehicles per site. * Camping is **first come, first served. No reservations available.** * A campsite is rented ONLY once it has been paid in full, pay-stub is properly completed and attached to campsite post, and site is occupied by campers (tent up). * **Self-pay system.** Iron Ranger located near Bulletin Board. * Pay camp fee within 30 minutes of occupying site. * **No dispersed camping** within the Merced River corridor. * No person shall leave any property unattended for more than 24 hours. (43 CFR 8351.2-1 (1)) * Fires are allowed ONLY in provided metal fire rings. **NO FIRES ON BEACH.** (Fire Restriction may apply). * No glass bottles allowed within 1/4 mile of the Merced River. 43 CFR 8351.2-1 (i) * **Dogs must be on a leash at all times.** * NO DOGS allowed at McCabe BEACH. * NO AMPLIFIED MUSIC or unreasonable noise any time. * **QUIET TIME AFTER 10:00 pm** (no speakers, generators etc.) * No discharge of firearms or fireworks 43 CFR 8351.2-1 (a) * No person shall enter a developed campground between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, unless that person is a registered camper. 43 CFR 8351.2-1 (g) * All California Motor Vehicle Laws Apply. (Seat Belts, DUI, etc.). 43 CFR 8351.2-1 (e) * Any person who fails to comply with these written orders may be subject to a fine not to exceed $500 and/or imprisonment not to exceed six months. Federal Register/ Vol. 66 No. 130/ Friday, July 6, 2001/ Notices Pg 35663. ### WARNING: No lifeguard on duty. Swimming is dangerous any time of year, but especially during spring and early summer. The Merced River is un-damned and the flow changes dramatically from year to year and season to season. Please wear a life jacket. SWIMMING IS ONLY RECOMMENDED BELOW 700 CFS. Potable water is available across the Briceburg Bridge as you head towards the campground facilities. Look for the faucet near the information kiosk. Bring your own water for camping purposes. **Potable water is not available at the campground sites.** ### PLEASE NOTE: Trailers over 18 feet and large RV's are not recommended crossing the suspension bridge. The old Yosemite railroad grade is accessible by vehicles up to the Railroad Flat Campground. Only equestrian, pedestrians, and bicycles are permitted beyond the Railroad Flat Campground. Commercial lodging is available in the town of Mariposa. ### Helpful Links: * River flow is posted on-line at: [www.dreamflows.com](http://www.dreamflows.com/graphs/day.225.php) * Return To: [Merced River Recreation Management Area](https://www.blm.gov/visit/merced-river). * Visit: [BLM, Mother Lode Field Office](https://www.blm.gov/office/mother-lode-field-office) * Recreation Passes: [America the Beautiful -- National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass](https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/passes)

McCabe Flat Campground

Midpines is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Discover great camping spots near Midpines, reviewed by campers like you.

Midpines

The Best Camping Near Midpines, California

I visited in November, on the first days of rain after a long dry season. I arrived after dark and was unfamiliar with the layout, so I stayed at a pull-out near the McCabe Flat campground. The next morning I checked out Willow Placer campground and continued to the end of the road to claim the last spot at Railroad Flat campground.

All three camps are along the river. There are no reservations. The first two are mostly walk-in tent sites. They are all clean and well maintained. There was a helpful ranger on patrol through the weekend. 

I came with my 16’ Airstream in tow, and it fit perfectly. I would not recommend anything larger. It was late in the season, so there were only a few campers at each location. The narrow road winds along the steep canyon wall with occasional pull-outs to allow oncoming cars to pass. I was glad not to meet any vehicles on my way.

The scenery was stunning! It rained on-and-off with sunshine in between, so I rode my bike along and went fishing (didn't catch anything) while the sky was blue, then hid under a blanket with a cup of tea and watched the stormy skies. I had initially planned to go to Yosemite but was content to stay here. 

First Rain of the Season

There are no hookups or water supply offered. However, for those that are self-sufficient, this is a really nice place. It gets busy, so go early. Also, there is a narrow bridge(see pictures) before the campgrounds that limits vehicle size. It is not advisable for trailers over 18 feet in length. We had a great stay. The campgrounds were very clean, and pit toilets were available. Fire rings are available at most sites, but check the BLM website for restrictions. We will definitely go here again!

Great dry-camping place

Beautiful campground. I’ve been camping here for a few years now while rafting the Merced river. On this particular trip the weather was over 100 degrees but we had the river right next to us to cool dow. The campsite and the bathrooms were really clean. It was nice to occasionally see the ranger walk the  camp sites picking up trash.  

Beautiful even if it’s 100 degrees 

Beautiful spot on the river! Pretty bumpy drive in but not bad if you take it slow. 

Awesome spot about an hour from Yosemite valley

We stayed at the second of the three sites here, and while it was nice, it was pretty small and the camp sites were all on top of each other, which made it very crowded when Friday rolled around. There wasn't much to see beyond the river itself, and it was a bit cold for any playing in it when we were there (March 2022)

But mid week it was quiet enough and good to just chill for a bit.


Nice but not much there

The sites were well maintained. We went early in the season (April) so the dust was not bad. I think later in the spring/summer you might find yourself faced with dust and foxtails. Lots of weeds in surrounding areas. 

  

Water was high, but looks like it would be great fishing. 

  
There are many site styles available- private riverside drive up, community river cul-de-sac walk-ins, and three drive in sites tucked up the hill away from everything. 

  

Porta-pottys and vault toilets available- no water. 

  

Lots a options here.

  

Great beach by the river- tag the shade early in the day to beat the heat.

Excellent upkeep on sites/bathrooms- no potable water

This place was a great stay while visiting Yosemite. No reservations in advance, an hour outside the park, and only $10 a night. There are two pit toilets that are well kept and something like 10-15 sites. Definitely come early to snag a spot, and even earlier if you want a good one. There are more campsites further down the road if the first campground is full, but we didn’t check them out. The first campground is no RVs and I assume the other ones are the same. All walk-in tent sites, but the furthest you’ll need to walk is probably 30 feet. The sites are very close together so get ready to be nice to your neighbors. There is a river right next to the campground which is very pretty and very cold. As of us being here, it’s roaring and unsafe to do anything in, but apparently when it calms down (I think later in summer/fall) it’s good for tubing and other river sports. The campground hosts were very nice and introduced themselves right away. There were also plenty of felled &amp; chopped up trees around to use for firewood, as well as bear containers at each site and a picnic table. ANTS WILL GET IN THERE. We had ants all over our dishes in the morning, but not our stuff in tubs, so make sure your things are ant proof. All food goes into the containers, don’t leave anything smelly in your car incase a bear tries to break in. Also, the squirrels are a little too friendly, clearly they rely on the humans in the area for food, so try not to drop food on the ground &amp; don’t feed them. They’ll walk right up to you already. And watch out for food laying around/ keeping the bear containers open/ leaving coolers and things open because they will get in there and try to eat your stuff. 

Great for Yosemite visit 

I arrived on a Thursday morning around 10:30 and I was lucky to snag a prime spot (#25) at the Railroad Flat campground (the last and I think best of the 3 campgrounds). There are few actual car camping spots (I sleep in my car) so plan accordingly. By Saturday morning all sites were full. Bring plenty of water and at  Railroad Flat the bathroom is a bit of a hike but was clean and only ran out of TP once. The closest store is about 10-15 miles from the bridge in Midpines so come prepared. The dirt road was fine and only had a few large-ish potholes. The neighbors were friendly and many were there as a place to stay while day tripping to Yosemite (it was about 20 miles away) but this place is great all on its own! The water was cold, high and fast but I managed to catch a 12” rainbow almost right away, just feet from the campsite. Later on hooked another one but lost it. On Friday my reel broke so my fishing weekend was over but what a thrill! There is plenty of hiking and several swimming holes nearby for when it gets hot. I’ll definitely be coming back! 

What a hidden gem! Fish !

This campground is one of the best I've been to. The restrooms are cleaned 2 times a day. There is trash cans for each of the 3 campsites that go with this one. there a great little swimming hole just up the path. I was in spot 29. it had its own little path down to the river, and it was mostly away from everyone else. right next to restroom. I wouldn't be brave enough to take a full-size trailer over the bridge.

Photos of McCabe Flat Campground

Real photos from real campers