Railroad Flat Campground

Gold panning · Mariposa County, CA

Railroad Flat Campground is listed in the federal Recreation Information Database with gold panning as an activity. Check current collecting or panning rules with the managing agency.

TypeGold panning (Campground with gold panning listed as an activity (RIDB))
LocationMariposa County, California
Coordinates37.61823, -120.01967 (map)
Managed byCall to confirm
FeesBooking Windows Individual sites at this campground are block released on the 15th of each month: Facility Rates Facility rates by season dates SEASON DATES SITE TYPE NIGHTLY/DAILY RATES * January 01- December 31 Standard Nonelectric $20.00 Group Site (up to 20 people) $40.00 * Displayed rates include any/all associated fees and do not reflect discounted rates.
HoursCall to confirm
Phone916 941-3101 Mother Lode Field Office Main Phone
Websitehttps://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273836

About this site

Overview 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. Springtime comes early to the Merced River Canyon and by March the wildflower season is well on its way—lasting into May. Easy access, un-damned flows, and excellent whitewater boating attract rafters and kayakers during the spring runoff (April through July). Commercial rafting trips are available from the following BLM permitted outfitters: All Outdoors, ARTA, OARS, and Zephyr (Contact outfitters directly for more information) . …

Description from Recreation Information Database (RIDB).

Directions

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. …

Verify before visiting. Hours, fees, access and collecting rules change, and some listings come from community-edited data. Call or check the operator's official page before you go. Details we could not confirm are marked "call to confirm".

Nearby sites

Source: RIDB record 273836 (Recreation.gov / RIDB, public domain). Data retrieved 2026-11-04.

Rockhounding and gold panning gear checklist