Dirt Flat
Sierra National Forest — riverside
Location: EL PORTAL, CA, CA
Price: From $41 per night
Rating: 3.4 out of 5 (45 reviews)
Season: May through October
Dirt Flat campground is situated on the north side of the Merced River. This small camp features walk-in tent sites on the river. The remote locates of the site makes for a quiet and peaceful camping experience.The Sierra National Forest, located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada, is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and abundant natural resources.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/dirt-flat to be notified when sites open up.
Small, remote campground on the north side of the Merced River offering walk-in tent sites for a quiet and peaceful camping experience. Popular location for spring and early summer white water rafting and kayaking activities.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, and California Nightsnake present in area. Also Sierra Nevada Mountain Beaver, Ringtail, Gray Fox, Great Gray Owl, and Acorn Woodpecker.
Insider tips for Dirt Flat: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 2 sites and high demand Vault toilets are well-maintained despite being non-flush Picnic tables and fire rings available at sites
Skip Dirt Flat if: You need electrical hookups — no hookups available. You are sensitive to road noise — campground is located next to a road with vehicle traffic. You prefer larger campgrounds — only 2 sites available.
Best time to visit Dirt Flat: May-October — Official operating season for the campground. Spring-Early Summer — Peak season for Merced River white water rafting and kayaking activities.
Nearby campgrounds: Dry Gulch (EL PORTAL, CA), Crane Flat Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA), Tamarack Flat Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA), Hodgdon Meadow Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA (Big Oak Flat Entrance)).
Cell Phone Coverage at Dirt Flat
Cell signal at Dirt Flat (EL PORTAL, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Dirt Flat campground is situated on the north side of the Merced River. This small camp features walk-in tent sites on the river. The remote locates of the site makes for a quiet and peaceful camping experience.The Sierra National Forest, located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada, is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and abundant natural resources.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 2 sites and high demand
Vault toilets are well-maintained despite being non-flush
Picnic tables and fire rings available at sites
Official operating season for the campground
Peak season for Merced River white water rafting and kayaking activities
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Highway 140, turn on to Foresta Road. Landmarks include Red Bud Picnic Area and a National Park Service warehouse. After bridge, turn left onto the spur road. Immediately turn left onto Incline Road. Continue 1.5 miles to the facility.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Sierra National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Sierra National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Dirt Flat cost per night?+
What season is Dirt Flat open?+
Does Dirt Flat have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Dirt Flat?+
How do I make reservations at Dirt Flat?+
What is the cell service like at Dirt Flat?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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