day-use area, as well as the McCabe Flat, Willow Placer, and Railroad Flat campgrounds are now open for public use and enjoyment.(Left) Merced River in Mariposa County - Credit: Bob Wick, BLM
Located near the entrance to the Yosemite National Park, the Merced River Recreation Area is popular for white water rafting, and an example of opportunities for commercial recreation on public lands that create jobs that help local communities grow. Camping is allowed only in designated, numbered BLM-managed tent sites for $10 per night, on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations are available. A campsite is only reserved once it is paid in full, with the pay-stub attached to the campsite post, and occupied by campers. Campers may not leave any property unattended for more than 24-hours. No glass beverage bottles are allowed within one-quarter mile of the Merced River.
The BLM is committed to keeping public landscapes healthy and productive, and reminds the public that fire danger remains high. The area is under Stage 2 fire restrictions meaning no campfires, charcoal barbecue grills, or open fires. Only portable stoves with gas, jellied petroleum or pressured liquid fuel, are allowed with a valid California campfire permit.
Even though the flows on the Merced River have normalized, life jackets are essential, and the frigid waters can cause a rapid loss of body heat known as hypothermia, which can be deadly. The river can be accessed by car along a five-mile BLM road, called the old Yosemite railroad grade, starting at the Briceburg Visitor Center and ending at the three campgrounds. Beyond the campgrounds, only pedestrians and bicycles can continue along the ungroomed 18-mile river trail. View a map of the Merced River Recreation Area at https://on.doi.gov/2trve9N. The BLM permits many commercial raft outfitters for float trips on the Merced River. Contact the BLM Mother Lode Field Office for a list of approved commercial raft operators at (916) 941-3101.
The Merced River is a 145-mile long tributary of the San Joaquin River that flows from the Sierra Nevada into the San Joaquin Valley, and showcases that public lands keep America beautiful.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America's public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.
Source: BLM