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Dry Gulch
FSU.S. Forest Service — EL PORTAL · California · Sierra National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Sierra National Forest |
| Location | EL PORTAL · California · Sierra National Forest · 37.67109, -119.83620 · Map |
| Sites | 5 public sites counted from the federal listing — 5 tent only nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 5 sites Water hookups at 0 of 5 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 5 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 5 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 1 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 559-642-3212 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-03-11.
From the official listing
Overview Dry Gulch Campground sits on the north side of the Merced River. The small camp features walk-in tent sites on the river, shaded by a grove of pine and oak trees. Dry Gulch's remote location makes for a quiet and peaceful camping experience. Recreation During the spring and early summer, the Merced River is a popular location for white water rafting and kayaking. Several private companies offer guided rafting trips. Facilities The camping sites at Dry Gulch do meet accessibility standards and offer picnic tables, grills and fire rings. Vault toilets are available. Natural Features Dry Gulch Campground is located in the Bass Lake Ranger District at an elevation of 3,400 feet. The Lake is a very popular area known for its variety of fish, as well as the bald and golden eagles that make their home here.
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.
The terrain includes rolling, oak-covered foothills, heavily forested middle elevation slopes and the starkly beautiful alpine landscape of the High Sierra. Nearby Attractions This campground is close to the west entrance to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite offers a variety of activities that include scenic driving, picnicking, hiking and fishing. Charges & Cancellations Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
Directions, from the listing
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 1.3 miles to the facility.
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · EL PORTAL CaliforniaNPSNational Park ServiceCrane Flat Campground
6 mi straight-line · Yosemite National Park CaliforniaNPSNational Park ServiceTamarack Flat Campground
8 mi straight-line · CaliforniaNPSNational Park ServiceHodgdon Meadow Campground
9 mi straight-line · Yosemite National Park CaliforniaBLMBureau of Land ManagementWillow Placer Campground
10 mi straight-line · Midpines California
Trip Card — Dry Gulch
EL PORTAL · California · Sierra National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | EL PORTAL · California · Sierra National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 5 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233842 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.