Fresno River Recreation Area
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Fresno River Recreation Area is found in the Historic Grub Gulch Mining District. It’s part of the historic Sugarpine-Madera Flume. This spot is ideal for RV travelers as there are several established campgrounds nearby. Easy access is available off County Road 600 in Madera County, but you’ll need a car to get here from your nearby campsite. The dirt parking area is too small for most RVs.
Quick Facts About RVing in Fresno River Recreation Area
• RV Friendly: No • Max RV Length: RVs not allowed • Camping Type: Nearby developed campgrounds • Reservations: No • Hookups: Full hookups at some nearby campgrounds • Dump Station: None onsite • Potable water Bring your own • Cell Service: Spotty • Pets: Allowed, under physical control • Roads: Paved road that ends at a dirt parking lot • Best Season: Spring
Why RV travelers Love This BLM Area
• Campgrounds with full hookups nearby • A convenient daytime getaway while camping nearby • Ideal spot for swimming, wading, and fishing along the Fresno River • Gold panning permitted for recreational visitors • Can explore the remnants of the Historic Grub Gulch Mining District and Sugarpine-Madera Flume
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Fresno River Trail
This trail offers stunning views of the river and provides amazing scenery of the fall foliage.
Length: 7 miles
Intensity: Easy
North Sycamore Island West Loop
Located in the nearby San Joaquin River Parkway, this trail offers beautiful views and also provides easy access to fishing spots.
Length: 4.2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Tesoro Viejo Trail
This peaceful trail offers lovely views and is great for hiking or biking.
Length: 5.1 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Pincushion Mountain Loop
Located in the Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, this trail offers a moderately strenuous hike, stunning panoramic views, and excellent opportunities to spot native birds.
Length: 4.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
San Joaquin River Trail
This gorgeous trail is open all year and offers beautiful views and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife.
Length: 14.1 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Fishing and Boating
The Fresno River itself is a great place to fish for blue and channel catfish and largemouth bass. Millerton Lake also offers beautiful views and options for fishing, swimming, and boating.
Climbing
Tollhouse Rock, located north of Fresno, is one of the best locations for climbing in the area. The rock is a 600-foot dome, and it offers traditional, sport, and top-rope routes. There are also several rocks and sections of Tollhouse Rock that are ideal for bouldering.
Wildlife Viewing
The Fresno River Recreation Area is a great way to spot native wildlife such as cottontail rabbits, ground squirrels, mule deer, eagles, coyotes, and badgers. For more wildlife sightings and photography opportunities, visitors can explore the Millerton Lake State Recreation Area and the San Joaquin River Parkway.
Picnicking
The Falls Picnic Site, outside of Oakhurst, which is one of the closest towns to the recreation area, offers easy access to the river and is a fantastic place for a picnic. The views are beautiful, and there are shaded picnic tables and barbecues. The Rocky Point Picnic Site also offers a few picnic tables, and there is ample space to set up your own table and chairs. There are restrooms and barbecues available, and visitors can enjoy a swim in the river.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
BLM RV camping is available at the Big Sandy Campground. There are 18 sites, each with a grill, picnic table, and fire ring. There are no hookups, and no water is available, but there are vault and pit toilets. The Yosemite Lakes RV Resort offers 490 sites with full or partial hookups. The resort offers easy access to fishing and hiking options, and there are restrooms, showers, a clubhouse, a store, and laundry facilities. The resort is pet-friendly.
Developed Campgrounds
High Sierra RV and Mobile Park is only an 11-minute drive from the Fresno River Recreation Area. Located along the Fresno River, they have spacious pull-through sites for large RVs with full hookups. Rates range from $45 to $71, depending on the season. No reservations are required. All sites are first-come, first-served. There are two waterfalls and a swimming hole here, and they have an on-site dump station and a fully stocked camp store.
Dispersed Camping
Fresno River Recreation Area does not offer opportunities for dispersed camping. However, you will find several campgrounds nearby offering large RV sites, many with full hookups. These campgrounds provide many conveniences and amenities you won’t have with dispersed camping.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
Getting to this BLM area is generally straightforward and easy with a paved highway, followed by a manageable unpaved approach for small cars and vans. Expect unevenness and dust near the Sugar Pine Flume historical marker. • Camper Vans: These are one of the only RVs that can possibly manage this BLM area’s parking lot. Their heavy-duty build makes them suitable for the roughness of the parking lot. • Travel Trailers: This is your best option if you're staying at a nearby campground. Unhook your vehicle and use it to drive to the Fresno River Recreation Area. • Fifth Wheels: Fifth wheels provide you with a spacious RV, and you can unhook your vehicle and use it to drive to the BLM area. • Class A Motorhomes: Consider staying at a nearby campground and towing a small car. That towed vehicle will make it much easier to navigate this BLM area. • Class B Motorhomes: Class B motorhomes are ideal for this area due to their compact size. They make it easy to navigate narrow local roads and they fit into the primitive dirt parking lots that larger RVs can’t. Class C Motorhomes: The Class C motorhome has a manageable size that helps you navigate the narrow roads in this area. In addition, they provide you with self-contained amenities that are perfect for campsites with no facilities.
Free Camping 
Bureau of Land Management free camping can be found at the Coalinga Mineral Springs Trailhead, where visitors can set up a dispersed site. Primitive dispersed camping is also available at the Condon Peaks Recreation Area. Both locations offer few amenities but do provide beautiful, secluded camping options.
RV Rentals Near Fresno River Recreation Area Plan your next adventure
Planning your Fresno River Recreation Area BLM trip
The area around the Fresno River Recreation Area sees relatively mild weather throughout the year. Winter temperatures can occasionally drop below freezing, but most temperatures hover in the 40s and 50s. Winter also sees the most rain, but that’s still only five or six days of precipitation per month. Temperatures in the summer can reach into the high 90s. Although temperatures are generally cooler by the river, it’s important to remember that there are no amenities at the recreation area, and the heat can quickly cause dehydration. Plan to bring plenty of water, and drink water frequently throughout your time in the area.
Gold panning is a popular activity at the Fresno River Recreation Area. However, the Central Valley Prospectors Club holds the active mining claim on the site, so any gold panning must be done with the club’s permission.
Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
Always check the local forecast before leaving your RV. You can expect warm, dry summers here and cool, wet winters. Temperatures range from the low 30s during the winter months to highs near 100°F during the peak summer months. This area is remote. The nearest grocery stores are in Madera, CA, which is a 56-minute drive from the Fresno River Recreational Area. Stock up before arriving at your campground. Gas stations are only 18 minutes away along Highway 41 in Coarsegold, CA. They may provide a minimal amount of supplies in their mini marts.
Leave No Trace 
Bureau of Land Management campgrounds and recreation areas require specific care, and Leave No Trace guidelines outline that care. For example, you should always dispose of any trash or waste properly. Never litter, and always pick up any litter you see on the ground. Build campfires responsibly by starting them in contained, designated fire rings or pits, and make sure they stay controlled. Put the fire out and ensure that the coals are cold before you leave the area. Share the space and nearby trails, and keep noise to a minimum so as not to disturb other visitors or wildlife. Stay on approved trails, and don’t pick flowers or attempt to touch or move plants or animals.
Fresno River Recreation Area Location
From Oakhurst, take Highway 49 to Raymond Road, which is also often called Grub Gulch Road. Continue for 2.5 miles to a dirt parking lot located at the junction of Crook’s Creek and the Fresno River. Follow the trail to the river.
Ready to visit Fresno River Recreation Area? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
Plan Your Day at Fresno River Recreation Area
• Morning: Enjoy breakfast in your RV before driving to the BLM area. Once you arrive, take the dirt walking path down to the river’s edge. This is the perfect time of day to watch for wildlife. • Afternoon: Enjoy a picnic lunch in the shade near the water. Spend the afternoon walking the footpaths and visiting the historic sites. • Evening: Head back to your RV for dinner. Enjoy the evening by relaxing around the campfire. Don’t forget to have all your ingredients for s'mores on hand and enjoy the tasty treat before heading for bed.
Nearby Attractions
• Bass Lake: Bass Lake is a scenic area 20 minutes from Fresno River Recreation Area. Here you can participate in boating and enjoy lakeside dining. • Lewis Creek Trail: Just 20 minutes from Fresno River Recreation Area is the Lewis Creek Trail. It’s off of Highway 41, near Oakhurst, CA. Here, you’ll discover lovely walking paths featuring beautiful waterfalls. • San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area: Here, you’ll find sweeping canyon views and a suspension bridge. It’s a 58-minute drive from Fresno River Recreation Area. • Pincushion Peak: This is a local hike near Millerton Lake. It’s a 59-minute drive from Fresno River Recreation Area. Once you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a 360-degree view of the surrounding water and foothills. This is a moderate hike with a steep push at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Fresno River Recreation Area? You’ll find the Fresno River Recreation Area just north of Oakhurst, CA. It’s located off of County Road 600 (Raymond Road/Grub Gulch Road), near the junction of Fresno River and Crook’s Creek. All roads are paved until you reach the approach to the parking lot. Are there any facilities at this BLM area? No, there are no facilities at this location. Be sure to use the restroom, get fuel, and stock up on snacks and water before you arrive. There are several gas stations with mini marts in Coarsegold, which is 18 minutes away. Is there a fee for visiting Fresno River Recreation Area? You’ll find that there is no fee to get into the Fresno River Recreation Area. Access to the river, water play, and studying nature are all free. There’s also no charge for parking, although the lot is small and made of dirt. Can I pan for gold at the Fresno River Recreation Area? Yes, you can enjoy the fun of panning for gold at this Bureau of Land Management area. Although, you must have permission from the Central Valley Prospectors Club before you begin. They hold an active mining claim on the site. Are there any interpretive programs available here? Yes, the Bureau of Land Management does use the Fresno River Recreation Area to host interpretive programs. These programs focus on local history, industrial heritage, and nature. You can contact them at 559-855-3492 to get their current schedule and program information.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
You want to make sure you’re choosing the right RV rental for your trip to Fresno River Recreation Area. Remember that you can’t park your RV here, unless it’s a small camper van. Travel trailers and fifth wheels are your best choice. They provide plenty of interior room and luxury amenities while allowing you to unhook your vehicle for the trip into the BLM area. Browse our RV rentals in Fresno to find the ideal one before you begin your adventure.