USDA Forest Service · California
Dry Gulch
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 5
- Hookups
- 5 no hookups
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,677 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Sierra National Forest
- Nearest town
- EL PORTAL
- Address
- INCLINE RD, EL PORTAL, CA
- Phone
- 559-642-3212
- Activities
- Camping
Season dates aren't confirmed for this campground yet - opening and closing dates haven't been verified. Check the operator's page or call ahead before you plan a trip.
4 numbered sites are mapped one by one - the site map below shows each with its facts and pictures.
Site map
4 numbered sites are mapped one by one on the imagery, with the operator's own facts and pictures for each site where it publishes them. Tap a site to rate it, keep a note and add your own photos; press and hold the map for a pin of your own. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58° | 40° | 28° | 75° | 4 of 11 |
| February | 57° | 40° | 21° | 75° | 6 of 11 |
| March | 59° | 42° | 23° | 88° | 2 of 11 |
| April | 66° | 44° | 21° | 80° | 2 of 11 |
| May | 77° | 54° | 35° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 88° | 62° | 46° | 105° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 98° | 71° | 59° | 108° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 96° | 70° | 64° | 105° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 89° | 64° | 53° | 99° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 80° | 53° | 37° | 94° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 69° | 47° | 29° | 83° | 2 of 10 |
| December | 60° | 42° | 22° | 75° | 4 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- Old Big Oak Flat Road Trailhead · 6.2 mi as the crow flies
Old Big Oak Flat Road Trail 3.8 mi Hike · Drive there - Tuolumne Grove Trailhead · 6.3 mi as the crow flies
Tuolumne Grove Road 1.2 mi Hike · Drive there - Merced Grove Trailhead · 6.4 mi as the crow flies
Merced Grove Trail (Old Coulterville Rd) 2.5 mi Hike · Drive there - Tamarack Flat Trailhead · 7.3 mi as the crow flies
Old Big Oak Flat Road (Gentry Rd) 1.9 mi Hike · Drive there - Deer Camp Trailhead · 7.5 mi as the crow flies
Deer Camp Road 8.4 mi Hike · Drive there
All 519 trails in Sierra National Forest · All 137 trails in Yosemite National Park
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Dirt Flat · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 7 sites
- Crane Flat Campground · National Park Service · 6 mi · 151 sites
- Tamarack Flat Campground · National Park Service · 8 mi · 54 sites
- Jerseydale Campground · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi
- Hodgdon Meadow Campground · National Park Service · 9 mi · 108 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.