McCabe Flat Campground

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 along the Wild and Scenic Merced River, and a popular destination campground during spring and summer. There are eight walk-in campsites and two drive-up campsites. The walk-in sites are between 50 and 200 feet from the parking lot, and an accessible crushed rock trail leads to each site. One of the two drive-up sites (#10) is a group campsite suitable for up to 20 people and 6 vehicles. McCabe Flat has a large designated swimming area and beach. No dogs are allowed on the beach or in the swimming area; dogs are allowed on leash at all other locations managed by BLM in the region. Like the other two BLM Merced River campgrounds, it has vault toilets and seasonal port-o-potties, bearproof garbage and recycling cans, a bearproof food locker, a picnic table and a fire ring in each site, parking areas, and a bulletin board with local information, rules and regulations. The campground is situated on the shore of the Wild and Scenic Merced River, with nine of the campsites within 100 feet of the water; the group site is on the other side of the Old Yosemite Railroad Grade/Merced River Road, about 150 yards from the river. The Merced River Trail follows the railroad grade past where cars can drive, and is spectacular during springtime (February-April), providing good access to more secluded swimming and fishing holes downstream and on to the North Fork Merced, where swimming and wildflower viewing are excellent in spring to early summer. California newts are common in this area, 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. The Merced River Recreation Area is a special place just downstream from Yosemite, well known for excellent whitewater boating, wildflower viewing, camping, swimming and recreational gold panning and prospecting. 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-dammed flows and excellent whitewater boating attract rafters and kayakers during the spring runoff (April through July), with established launch sites upstream near El Portal at Redbud, Indian Flat, Old Suspension Bridge and Briceburg Day-Use Area, and take-outs at Briceburg Day-Use Area, Railroad Flat Boat Ramp and Bagby. It is a very popular swimming destination during the hot California foothill summers, with some of the clearest swimming holes around. In autumn the crowds subside and the area provides more solitude, and by winter true solitude can be found - the weather usually quite warm and sunny between storms, with daytime highs in the 60s and overnight lows in the 30s. Bird watching is good throughout the area most of the year, and 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, and hiking is great any time of the year. The Burma Grade is another popular route to explore on foot, bike or high-clearance automobile, climbing steeply out of the Merced Canyon and eventually leading to Greely Hill or Buck Meadows (CA-120). Yosemite National Park is the main attraction in Mariposa County; the Arch Rock Entrance Station is 22.8 miles from McCabe Flat Campground, the California State Mining and Mineral Museum at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds is 14.2 miles from the Briceburg Visitor Center, and the Mariposa Museum and History Center in downtown Mariposa is 12 miles from it.