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Dry Gulch Campground in California
Hard to BookNational Forest

Dry Gulch Campground

Sierra National Forest, California

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As of September 2026, Dry Gulch Campground is a campground in Sierra National Forest, California with 5 campsites. Dry Gulch Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Dry Gulch Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Dry Gulch Campground is located at 37.6711° N, 119.8362° W.
people allowed on 1 of 5 sites
6

Dry Gulch Campground reservations and next available dates

September 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

  • Maximum consecutive stay: 14 consecutive days

Published by Recreation.gov for Dry Gulch Campground, read on September 30, 2026.

Campsites at Dry Gulch Campground

  • Tent 5

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain.

Things to do: fishing, boating, hiking, wildlife, photography, stargazing.

All sites at Dry Gulch Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the AREA DRY GULCH loop.

SiteTypeSleeps
FT1-20Tent6
FT1-201Tent-
FT1-202Tent-
FT1-203Tent-
FT1-204Tent-

About Dry Gulch Campground

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.

Rules and notices at Dry Gulch Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Dry Gulch Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Our facility is experiencing a water outage. Please bring all the water you’ll need for your entire visit, including drinking water.

Be aware of rattlesnakes

Please keep all food in bear-proof containers

Poison oak is abundant throughout this area

This camp is a pack it in and pack it out facility

Two pets per site and leashed at all times.

Please Note: One vehicle per single site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground.

Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.

Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (12pm) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released.

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

Click here to learn more about the Sierra National Forest

Dry Gulch Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Dry Gulch Campground?

Dry Gulch Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Dry Gulch Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Dry Gulch Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Dry Gulch Campground have?

Dry Gulch Campground has 5 campsites.

More campgrounds in Sierra National Forest

Same forest, same drive. Set an alert on any of them alongside this one.

All 32 Sierra National Forest campgrounds

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