Railroad Flat Campground
Merced River Recreation Management Area — riverside, hiking
Location: El Dorado Hills, CA, CA
Price: From $20 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (10 reviews)
Season: May through October
Merced River Recreation Management Area Overview The Merced River Recreation Area is a special place just downstream from Yosemite. It is well known for excellent whitewater boating, wildflower viewing, camping, swimming, and recreational gold panning/prospecting. Visitors will have plenty to do in the Merced River Recreation Area during every season.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Bear Boxes, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/railroad-flat-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Railroad Flat Campground offers direct access to the Merced River Recreation Area, known for excellent whitewater boating, wildflower viewing, and swimming. Campers consistently rate it 4.6/5 stars and praise its quiet, scenic riverside setting with multiple swimming holes and nearby waterfalls.
Wildlife alert: Gray Fox, Mule Deer, Western Gray Squirrel, Olive-sided Flycatcher, California Striped Racer, and California Mountain Kingsnake present within 8km.
Insider tips for Railroad Flat Campground: Waterfalls are accessible via short walk-in trail past the gate before the bridge, not visible from the road Multiple swimming holes with waterfalls available in the area This is the last campground at Briceburg—book early as it's a federal campground with only 9 sites
Skip Railroad Flat Campground if: You need RV hookups—no hookups available, only suitable for self-contained RVs. You want year-round camping—seasonal operations May through October only. You prefer large campgrounds—only 9 total sites available.
Best time to visit Railroad Flat Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only. March-May — Wildflower season peaks during spring in the Merced River Canyon.
Nearby campgrounds: Willow Placer Campground (El Dorado Hills, CA), Mccabe Flat Campground (El Dorado Hills, CA), Yosemite / Mariposa KOA Holiday (Midpines, CA (near Yosemite)), Dirt Flat (EL PORTAL, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Railroad Flat Campground
Cell signal at Railroad Flat Campground (El Dorado Hills, 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.
Merced River Recreation Management Area Overview The Merced River Recreation Area is a special place just downstream from Yosemite. It is well known for excellent whitewater boating, wildflower viewing, camping, swimming, and recreational gold panning/prospecting. Visitors will have plenty to do in the Merced River Recreation Area during every season.
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 entryWaterfalls are accessible via short walk-in trail past the gate before the bridge, not visible from the road
Multiple swimming holes with waterfalls available in the area
This is the last campground at Briceburg
book early as it's a federal campground with only 9 sites
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Wildflower season peaks during spring in the Merced River Canyon
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 Mariposa, take CA-140 east to the visitor center, where the highway first meets the Merced Wild & Scenic River. Turn into the visitor center and cross the Suspension Bridge. Follow the Briceburg Campground Road downstream 4.5 miles to Railroad Flat Campground. From Yosemite/El Portal, take CA-140 west (downstream) to the visitor center, where the highway starts to climb away from the Merced Wild & Scenic River. Turn into the visitor center and cross the Suspension Bridge. Follow the Bricebu
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 — Merced River Recreation Management Area fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Merced River Recreation Management Area before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Railroad Flat Campground cost per night?+
What season is Railroad Flat Campground open?+
Does Railroad Flat Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Railroad Flat Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Railroad Flat Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Railroad Flat Campground?+
What season is Railroad Flat Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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