Recreation area

Cable Rock Day Use Site

Merced River Recreation Management Area · Briceburg · California — managed by Bureau of Land Management

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY. Overview Within the BLM, Merced River Recreation Management Area you may also enjoy Cable Rock Day Use Site. Located 1.4 miles downstream from the Briceburg Visitor Center along the Wild & Scenic Merced River. This day use area is a very popular swimming hole! Summer weekends can be crowded, so come early to set-up for the day. There is no shade on the beach and summer temperatures are well over 100 degrees so bring a shade device if you plan on hanging out very long. Swimming is the most popular activity here. There is a jumping rock for adventurous swimmers. The beach may consist of sand or cobbles depending on how the un-damned Wild & Scenic Merced River has left the site on a particular year. Fishing is also popular here and can be good mid-week and during non-summer time frames. Gold panning is popular all along the Merced River including here at Cable Rock. Facilities: This site has a vault toilet, information kiosk, trash and recycling containers. Stone steps down to the beach. Parallel parking is available along the Briceburg River Road. What you need to know: Camping and campfires are not allowed anytime. Charcoal BBQ's are not allowed. It is best to bring your own propane BBQ or stove for cooking any time of year. WARNING: No lifeguard on duty. Drownings have originated from this site! Swimming is dangerous any time of year, but especially during spring and early summer. The Merced River is un-damned and the flow changes dramatically from year to year and season to season. Please wear a life jacket.  SWIMMING IS ONLY RECOMMENDED BELOW 700 CFS. Helpful Links: River flow is posted on-line at: www.dreamflows.com Back To: Merced River Recreation Management Area Visit: Briceburg Visitor Center Return To: BLM, Mother Lode Field Office LM Mother Lode Field Office: (916) 941-3101 or Briceburg Visitor Center: (209) 379-9414

Getting there

From the city of Merced, located on U.S. Highway 99, travel 40 miles east on State Highway 140 to the town of Mariposa. Then travel another 15 miles along Highway 140 to the Briceburg Visitor Center at the Wild & Scenic Merced River. From the Briceburg Visitor Center take the Briceburg River Road (old Yosemite Valley Railroad Grade) for 1.4 miles to Cable Rock Day Use Site.

Contact
(209) 379-9414

Activities

  • FISHING
  • HIKING
  • PICNICKING
  • DAY USE AREA
  • SWIMMING SITE
  • PADDLING

Nearby federal campgrounds

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Cable Rock Day Use Site doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby California campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.