Merced River Recreation Management Area

Notice

10/28/2024 - The Merced campgrounds will be temporarily closed from Nov. 2 to Nov. 30. During this period, Briceburg River Road (the old Yosemite Valley Railroad Grade) will also be closed to vehicles below Briceburg, but will remain open for non-motorized use such as biking and hiking.

The Merced River Recreation Area will remain open, providing access to the North Fork Primitive Campsite, Cable Rock Day Use site, and Briceburg Day Use/Put In site.

We appreciate your understanding as we enhance these areas for future enjoyment!


Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.


Overview

The Merced River Recreation Management Area is a very special place just downstream from Yosemite. It is well known for excellent whitewater boating, wildflower viewing, camping, swimming, and recreational gold panning/prospecting. Bird watching is good throughout the area most of the year. 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. Hiking is great anytime of the year. Easy access, un-damned flows, and excellent whitewater boating attract rafters and kayakers during the spring runoff (April through July). Commercial rafting trips are available from BLM permitted outfitters.

The Merced River Trail continues downstream from the end of the Briceburg River Road and brings hikers or bikers to the North Fork of the Merced River and beyond. The Burma Grade road is another popular route to explore on foot, bike, or high-clearance automobile. This scenic backroad climbs steeply out of the Merced River Canyon and eventually leads to the towns of Greely Hill or Buck Meadows (Highway 120).

Campgrounds, Trailheads and Day Use Areas:

There are three (3) developed BLM campgrounds along the Merced River between Briceburg and Bagby. The campgrounds are accessed by crossing the suspension bridge just past the Briceburg Visitor Center and heading down river along the unpaved Briceburg River Road (old Yosemite Valley Railroad Grade). It is NOT recommended for trailers over 18 feet or large RV's to cross over the suspension bridge.

Campsites are $10/night/site.  First come, first served.  Bear-proof food storage lockers at all campsites.  Camping stay limit is 14 days within a 90 day period.

Need a Map?

Helpful Links:

Photos

Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photos by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photos by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photos by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photos by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photos by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM
Merced River RMA
Merced River RMA
Photo by David Greenwood, BLM

The Briceburg Visitor Center OPENS Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day.

Go To:  Briceburg Visitor Center

HOURS: Saturday and Sunday: 9 am - 5 pm
PHONE: Briceburg Visitor Center (209) 379-9414

LOCATION: Where the highway meets the river ... Hwy 140 at the Merced Wild & Scenic River.  At the entrance to the Merced River Recreation Management Area. Twelve (12) miles east on Highway 140 from the Mariposa Visitor Bureau stop sign.

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Phone

Activities

Iconograph of a person swimming
ACCESSIBLE SWIMMING
Iconograph of a bicyclist
BIKING
Iconograph of a tent.
CAMPING
Iconograph of a fish head and a fishing hook on a line
FISHING
Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING
Iconograph of a picnic table
PICNICKING
Iconograph of a letter V
VISITOR CENTER
Iconograph of binoculars
WILDLIFE VIEWING
Iconograph of a picnic table
DAY USE AREA
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Iconograph of a person paddling a kayak.
PADDLING

Addresses

Bureau of Land Management
Merced River RMA
Briceburg
California
95345

Geographic Coordinates

37.59662, -120.00355

Directions

From the city of Merced, located on U.S. Highway 99, travel 40 miles east on State Highway 140 to the town of Mariposa. Then travel another 15 miles along Highway 140 to the Briceburg Visitor Center at the Merced Wild & Scenic River.

There are three developed BLM campgrounds along the Merced River between Briceburg and Bagby. The campgrounds are accessed by crossing the suspension bridge just past the Briceburg Visitor Center and heading down river along the unpaved Briceburg River Road (old Yosemite Valley Railroad Grade).

NOTE: Trailers over 18 feet and large RV's are not recommended crossing the suspension bridge.