Can you reserve a site at Dry Gulch?

Yes, Dry Gulch is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are pets allowed at Dry Gulch?

Yes, pets are allowed at Dry Gulch.

Are campfires allowed at Dry Gulch?

Campfires are allowed at Dry Gulch. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Dry Gulch, California — 5 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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.

The facts

Season: Open all year — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
5 bookable sites
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: AREA DRY GULCH

Site types

5 Tent Only Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

5 campsites at Dry Gulch

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
FT1-20	AREA DRY GULCH	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	—	6	🐾
FT1-201	AREA DRY GULCH	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	—	—
FT1-202	AREA DRY GULCH	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	—	—
FT1-203	AREA DRY GULCH	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	—	—
FT1-204	AREA DRY GULCH	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	—	—

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 1.3 miles to the facility.

37.67109, -119.83620 · 37°40'15.9"N 119°50'10.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 75°F in Aug, down to 42°F in Feb.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	44	42	45	49	58	67	75	75	70	60	49	43
Low °F	32	31	32	36	43	52	60	59	54	46	37	32
Precip in	6.9	5.6	5.8	3.7	2.4	0.8	0.3	0.1	0.7	2.3	4.4	7.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Dry Gulch

Can you reserve a site at Dry Gulch?: Yes, Dry Gulch is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Dry Gulch have?: 5 sites.
Are pets allowed at Dry Gulch?: Yes, pets are allowed at Dry Gulch.
Are campfires allowed at Dry Gulch?: Campfires are allowed at Dry Gulch. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Dry Gulch also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Dry Gulch's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

$30.00 per night Additional vehicles = $10.00 per vehicle

Restrictions:

Maximum length of stay is 14 days Maximum group size is 6 people per site

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Dry Gulch

Dirt Flat 0.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Crane Flat Campground 6.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Tamarack Flat Campground 7.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hodgdon Meadow Campground 9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Willow Placer Campground 10.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
McCabe Flat Campground 10.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Briceburg Put-in 8.5 mi · Facility
Briceburg Visitor Center 8.5 mi · Facility
Jerseydale Campground 8.7 mi · Campground
Big Oak Flat Information Station 9.2 mi · Visitor Center
Cable Rock Day Use Site 9.9 mi · Facility
Carlon Day Use Area 10 mi · Facility

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Dry Gulch