The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a government agency that President Harry S. Truman formed in 1946. This organization's mission is to maintain public lands throughout the U.S. for future generations to enjoy. Willow Placer Campground is one of two Bureau of Land Management campgrounds that are within the Merced River Recreation Management Area in California. This BLM site has nine total campsites that are available for tents and RVs to use for just $5 to $10 a night. Every campsite is within 200 feet of the Merced River, and there is a main beach used for swimming seasonally. This campground is found just outside of Yosemite National Park and the city of Modesto. Other BLM sites that are near the campground include Cable Rock Day Use Area, Merced River Recreation Area, Railroad Flat Campground and McCabe Flat Campground. All these BLM sites are open for the public to use for free or for a small fee since they are designated as public use lands by the BLM. While in the area, you may want to visit Kings Canyon National Park, which is three hours southeast of Willow Placer Campground, or Sequoia National Park, which is three hours and 20 minutes to the southeast.
The Merced River Trail is a hiking and biking trail that follows the Merced River. Along the trail, which is 20 minutes southeast of Willow Placer Campground, you'll likely find wildflowers and wildlife like lizards. Length: 5.5 miles Intensity: Moderate
This trail, which is a little over an hour west of Willow Placer Campground, is a short but moderately strenuous hiking and running trail that climbs to the summit of Williams Peak in the Mariposa area. Length: 1.3 miles Intensity: Moderate
Another trail that runs along the Merced River is Hite Cove Trail, which takes a path through the heart of the Sierra National Forest. It is about 35 minutes northeast of Willow Placer Campground. Length: 6.5 miles Intensity: Moderate
There are plenty of native and stocked non-native fish species in the Merced River near Willow Placer Campground. Native species are usually only found at lower elevations but include the California roach, the Sacramento pike minnow, the hardhead and the riffle sculpin. The non-native brook trout may be more likely caught by the campground, though. Rafting is popular all summer long in the Merced River, and perhaps the best place to begin rafting is at the headwaters of the river, near Little Yosemite Valley Campground. The waters from there to El Capitan Bridge are generally easy and calm, and the waters intensify into Class III to V rapids from there to Lake McClure.
There are a few picnic sites located along the Merced River, such as the Cranberry Flat Day Use Picnic Site, which is 35 minutes northeast of Willow Placer Campground and has picnic tables and restrooms. Another popular picnic site you may use is the McClendon Beach Day Use Picnic Site, which is easily accessible by all vehicles and has picnic tables and restrooms. It is 50 minutes northeast of Willow Placer Campground.
You can go BLM RV camping at Willow Placer Campground if you have an RV that is 18 feet long or shorter. The campground provides a seasonal restroom, trash collection bins, recycling collection bins, picnic tables, fire grills and food storage lockers but no water or electric hookups. If you'd like to go camping with full hookups, one great place to consider staying is Indian Flat Campground, which has 25 RV-friendly sites with options for water, electric, and sewage hookups. It is 35 minutes northeast of Willow Placer Campground. An hour and 25 minutes northwest of Willow Placer Campground, Yosemite Westlake Campground and RV Park has 21 full hookup RV sites, free Wi-Fi and picnic tables.
If you search "BLM camping near me," you will find there are a couple of BLM campgrounds located just five minutes from Willow Placer Campground. At Railroad Flat Campground, there are nine sites, one vault toilet and trash cans. McCabe Flat Campground features 11 sites, a swimming beach, two vault toilets and trash cans. It costs $10 a night to stay at either campground.
Willow Placer Campground does not have any hookups for RVs, so plan on taking your own camping water and battery, solar or gas-powered camping equipment. You are permitted to use a generator at this campground during daytime hours if it doesn't create excess noise for over an hour. You can also bring outdoor canopies or table covers in case of rain. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
The BLM requests that people who choose to stay at Willow Placer Campground follow its Leave No Trace policy. This policy was created to help protect public lands, like this Bureau of Land Management free camping site, for the people and wildlife that use it. You can do your part by picking up your trash, keeping your campfires in check and never disturbing the local wildlife.
To reach Willow Placer Campground from the town of Merced, take State Highway 140 East for 40 miles to Mariposa. Continue for 15 more miles on this road, and then turn into the Briceburg Visitor Center at the Merced Wild and Scenic River. From there, cross the suspension bridge, and take Briceburg River Road to the campground entrance. Latitude/Longitude: 37.61037, -120.00949 Ready to visit Willow Placer Campground? 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.
