KestrelKestrel
Home/Merced River Recreation Management Area/Railroad Flat Campground
Recreation.govCA

Railroad Flat Campground

Merced River Recreation Management Area

Set availability alertOfficial reservation

Upcoming Availability

12 of 14 days currently show available sites.

View releasing sites

Sun, Jul 26

3

sites

Mon, Jul 27

1

site

Tue, Jul 28

2

sites

Wed, Jul 29

1

site

Thu, Jul 30

1

site

Fri, Jul 31

None

available

Sat, Aug 1

None

available

Sun, Aug 2

4

sites

Mon, Aug 3

3

sites

Tue, Aug 4

2

sites

Wed, Aug 5

3

sites

Thu, Aug 6

3

sites

Fri, Aug 7

1

site

Sat, Aug 8

1

site

Campground guide

What to know before booking

Merced River Recreation Management Area Overview The Merced River Recreation Area is a special place just downstream from Yosemite. Each of the three BLM Merced River Campgrounds includes the following features: • Vault toilet(s), and seasonal port-o-potties • Bearproof garbage cans. Railroad Flat Campground is situated on the shore of the Merced Wild & Scenic River.

max Stay

14 nights

max Concurrent Stay

1 campsite(s) held

Official campground details, summarized

Concise planning notes based on the public Recreation.gov campground information.

Facilities

Each of the three BLM Merced River Campgrounds includes the following features: • Vault toilet(s), and seasonal port-o-potties • Bearproof garbage cans. • Bearproof recycling cans. • Bearproof food locker in each site • Picnic table in each site • Fire ring in each site • Bulletin board with local information, rules and regulations • Parking areas. • Self-pay fee system. • McCabe Flat Campground has a designated swimming area—NO DOGS ALLOWED.

Natural Features

Railroad Flat Campground is situated on the shore of the Merced Wild & Scenic River. All of the nine (9) campsites are within 100 feet of the river. The river is the main natural feature here; as well as easy access to the Merced River Trail just beyond the campground. The Merced River Trail follows the Old Yosemite Railroad grade past where cars can drive. This trail is spectacular during springtime (February-April)! It provides good access to more secluded swimming and fishing holes downstream from the campgrounds. This trail also provides access to the North Fork of the Merced River where swimming and wildflower viewing is excellent in spring to early summer. Wildflower viewing is great all along the Merced River. The best season to see the colorful display is February through April. California Newts are common in this area. They are 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. Do not eat them.

Recreation

The Merced River Recreation Management Area was established due to the outstanding recreational opportunities found here. The proximity to Yosemite National Park attracts people from around the world to camp, boat, swim, and play along the Merced River. Whitewater rafting opportunities are excellent with easy road-side access. Established launch sites upstream near El Portal are Redbud, Indian Flat, Old Suspension Bridge, and Briceburg Day-Use Area. Take-out locations include Briceburg Day Use Area, Railroad Flat Boat Ramp, and Bagby. Hiking along the Merced River Trail/Old Yosemite Railroad Grade is good year around. Camping along the Merced River has been a cherished recreational activity for generations of families for a hundred years. Picnicking, nature study, hobby gold prospecting, wildflower viewing, birding, mountain biking, and swimming are all popular recreational activities within the Merced River Recreation Management Area/Merced Wild & Scenic River.

Nearby Attractions

Yosemite National Park is the main attraction in Mariposa County. The Arch Rock Entrance Station is 25.1 miles from McCabe Flat Campground (20 miles from Briceburg Visitor Center on CA-140). California State Mining and Mineral Museum is located at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds--14.2 miles from the Briceburg Visitor Center. Mariposa Museum and History Center is in downtown Mariposa 12 miles from Briceburg Visitor Center. 5119 Jessie St Mariposa, CA 95338

Important notices

Take a screenshot of your reservation to provide to the Ranger if asked. Fill out the registration slip provided on-site and attach it to your Camp Site Post when you arrive.
Water • A drinking water tap is located on north side of Briceburg Suspension Bridge at the Information Kiosk. No potable water available at Campgrounds. OK to use river water for washing.
Access • The Suspension Bridge is difficult to cross with large vehicles. We do not recommend crossing the suspension bridge with trailers longer than 18 feet, or RV’s longer than 22 feet. Use a second person outside the vehicle to help spot. The bridge weight limit is 15 tons (33,000lbs / 14,968kgs). • The Briceburg Campground Road leading to the campgrounds is a narrow gravel and dirt road. Large potholes are common. The speed limit is 15 mph throughout with 5 mph in the campgrounds. Please drive slowly and pull over in turnouts to allow other vehicles to pass.
Fire • Campfires are allowed only in designated metal fire rings in designated campsites. • No campfires on the beach! • No firewood is sold at the campground. Firewood may be purchased in Mariposa at local stores. • Fire Restrictions occur every summer. Each year is slightly different depending on current environmental conditions. Usually by July, campfires and charcoal fires are not allowed. Check for current status https://www.blm.gov/office/mother-lode-field-office • Propane gas stoves/grills are permitted year-round.

More at Merced River Recreation Management Area

Other tracked campgrounds from the same park or area.

Surrounding campgrounds

Other tracked campgrounds within driving distance, nearest first.

Willow Placer Campground

Merced River Recreation Management Area

0.8 mi

Mccabe Flat Campground

Merced River Recreation Management Area

1.7 mi

Pines Stanislaus

Stanislaus National Forest

14.5 mi

Lower Pines Campground

Yosemite National Park

26.2 mi

North Pines Campground

Yosemite National Park

26.3 mi

Upper Pines Campground

Yosemite National Park

26.3 mi

Common questions

Is Railroad Flat Campground available right now?

Kestrel's most recent scan found openings on 12 of the next 14 days, starting Sun, Jul 26. Availability changes constantly — check the calendar above, then confirm on Recreation.gov.

How do I book Railroad Flat Campground?

Reservations are handled by Recreation.gov, not by Kestrel. Use the official reservation link on this page to book. Kestrel only watches availability and tells you when a site frees up.

How quickly will I hear about a cancellation?

Kestrel rescans every two minutes, and every 30 seconds during the provider's daily release window. Alerts go out by email as soon as a matching site appears.