FT1-20
Sierra National Forest › Bass Lake Ranger District › California
› Mariposa County
› El Portal
› Dirt Flat Campground
› Campsite #FT1-20
Campsite #FT1-20 at Dirt Flat Campground, CA
$35
Tent Site #FT1-20
| Walk-In | 6 people |
| 1 | weak |
Campsite #FT1-20 Features: Walk-In access, Back-In parking, Fire ring, Tent Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (25)
4.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 28% |
| 4 star | | 20% |
| 3 star | | 4% |
| 2 star | | 24% |
| 1 star | | 24% |
@YingC4560361 · Camped on Sep 21, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
On a busy weekend when all campgrounds in Yosemite Valley, this may be a good option. It's about 30 min to the Valley. For some reason the online reservation system always shows weekend dates as not available when they in fact are. We reserved Wed.-Thu. and found from the camp host that the weekend was in fact wide open, but we still could not reserve it online and had to reserve it through the camp host.
No Service
@EmilyM5280790 · Camped on Jun 9, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
Very difficult to find as the directions were unclear and very little to no cell phone service. Once there, the campsite was terrifying. It appeared abandoned and smelled of death. We ended up having to leave to get a hotel and couldn’t have another day in Yosemite like we were planning. Also, no way to drive up to campsites and only parking for maybe 5 vehicles. Would not recommend at all.
Major Issues
@JeromeS7232472 · Camped on May 29, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
Clean campground, nobody there but us. No water but that’s mentioned on the reservation. It’s a short walk to the car. Only a few minutes from Yosemite valley. Road noise is an issue here but the Merced river drowns most of it out.
No Service
@JeromeS7232472 · Camped on May 29, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
Clean campground, nobody there but us. No water but thats mentioned on the reservation. Its a short walk to the car. Only a few minutes from Yosemite valley. Road noise is an issue here but the Merced river drowns most of it out.
No Service
@ClayM1738189 · Camped on May 8, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
There is no running water. The bear boxes are also a bit small and didn't fit my cooler. Other than that, it's nice to be near the river.
No Service
@johnc3063297 · Camped on May 1, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
Site 1 was very nice and you could walk down to the Merced. However, no water and the bear box was broken and couldn't be locked. Used the one at Site 2. Bathrooms were clean. Hostess was nice.
No Service
@SharonP8660185 · Camped on Apr 18, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
This campground was a little tricky to find - make sure you locate on a map before heading in as you won't have cell service. The reservation system indicates that there are 20 sites - there are 6. Our reservation was not posted when we arrived - even though it was evening. The sites are very primitive. Fire pits were full of ash, no tent pads, picnic tables falling apart. Maybe we got there before they were really ready for visitors. It is, however, a good location outside the park. If you have the option, there is another site . 2 miles down the road - dry gulch campground - where the sites were nicer.
No Service
@LuisD1879780 · Camped on Apr 4, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
It’s unbelievable they charged >$30/night for a campsite that has not been maintained in years. Just dirt next to the Merced river, no water, no garbage collection and road noise.
@LuisD1879780 · Camped on Apr 4, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
Its unbelievable they charged >$30/night for a campsite that has not been maintained in years. Just dirt next to the Merced river, no water, no garbage collection and road noise.
@IsabelleM75503 · Camped on Apr 3, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
Good location. The camp host was really nice, and the campground was clean.
No Service
@DiegoA1038405 · Camped on Mar 28, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
Nice place to camp 40 minutes away from Yosemite Village. Basic amenities and the river running next to it. Would be nice to have showers in the future.
No Service
@JuliaD7608932 · Camped on Mar 12, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
Clean campsite with garbage and washroom facilities. Large tent area, picnic table and nice grill on the fire pit. Close to the main road so you can kind of hear cars but likely helps keep bears away at the same time! 20 min drive outside of the main hiking trailheads.
Some Coverage
@KristinB130134 · Camped on Mar 9, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
We had great neighbors and the trash and bathrooms were kept up. Beautiful spot by the river.
No Service
@ChristopherL10 · Camped on Jan 21, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
Stayed in January and restrooms were locked up and no camp host was at Dirt Flat or Dry Gulch. Garbage dumpster was overflowing. Firepits were overflowing with ash from old fires. Looked like the sites were still closed for the season, but Recreation.gov had no issues charging us full price for the reservation. I feel like the recreation.gov charge was a scam and a rip-off. With no services (no outhouse, no garbage service) there should have been no charge for the reservation.
@NaomiM893 · Camped on Jan 15, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
The campsite is okay…but there was no trash collection and the restrooms were locked. So, totally overpriced for what was on offer. We knew that there wouldn’t be running water, but the restrooms being closed was a shock, particularly because, due to the nature of the site, there was no place to relieve oneself in the woods, either. When nature called, I had to scramble up a steep slope through some old-growth poison oak, and hope nobody was looking. It is close to Yosemite, but I probably wouldn’t stay here again. We had booked two nights, but only stayed one. Worst camping experience ever? Possibly.
No Service
@NaomiM2D5DEE1A · Camped on Jan 15, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
The campsite is okaybut there was no trash collection and the restrooms were locked. So, totally overpriced for what was on offer. We knew that there wouldnt be running water, but the restrooms being closed was a shock, particularly because, due to the nature of the site, there was no place to relieve oneself in the woods, either. When nature called, I had to scramble up a steep slope through some old-growth poison oak, and hope nobody was looking. It is close to Yosemite, but I probably wouldnt stay here again. We had booked two nights, but only stayed one. Worst camping experience ever? Possibly.
No Service
@TerryK1995544 · Camped on Jan 1, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
Is this campground slated for removal? There appears to be no maintenance or over-site performed here, when we arrived we found trash, human feces, left over camping gear, and El Portal area tweekers passing by. We stayed a few nights due to snow closures of valley campgounds, but had to pack and remove our entire campsite every morning for fear of theft during the day. Make sure to have a deterrent on hand, and stay with a group. This campground is not safe or hygienic for families, children, lone campers, and don't leave anything you'd miss too much, as theft is a very real possibility. Bring two padlocks for the bear boxes as all the clips are missing, and locking the box will provide some modest level of protection for your stuff. Also, there is zero cel signal, which is not comforting in the event of an emergency or robbery. You'd have to drive several miles up canyon to find any help or to make a call in El Portal.
No Service
@TerryK550 · Camped on Jan 1, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20
Is this campground slated for removal? There appears to be no maintenance or over-site performed here, when we arrived we found trash, human feces, left over camping gear, and El Portal area tweekers passing by.
We stayed a few nights due to snow closures of valley campgounds, but had to pack and remove our entire campsite every morning for fear of theft during the day. Make sure to have a deterrent on hand, and stay with a group. This campground is not safe or hygienic for families, children, lone campers, and don't leave anything you'd miss too much, as theft is a very real possibility. Bring two padlocks for the bear boxes as all the clips are missing, and locking the box will provide some modest level of protection for your stuff.
Also, there is zero cel signal, which is not comforting in the event of an emergency or robbery. You'd have to drive several miles up canyon to find any help or to make a call in El Portal.
We stayed a few nights due to snow closures of valley campgounds, but had to pack and remove our entire campsite every morning for fear of theft during the day. Make sure to have a deterrent on hand, and stay with a group. This campground is not safe or hygienic for families, children, lone campers, and don't leave anything you'd miss too much, as theft is a very real possibility. Bring two padlocks for the bear boxes as all the clips are missing, and locking the box will provide some modest level of protection for your stuff.
Also, there is zero cel signal, which is not comforting in the event of an emergency or robbery. You'd have to drive several miles up canyon to find any help or to make a call in El Portal.
No Service
@AnthonyZ213 · Camped on Aug 8, 2021 at Campsite #FT1-20
Very hot at that time we were there, had to walk to camp site, Had trouble locating campsite, need more signs.
No Service
@TimothyS898 · Camped on Jul 13, 2021 at Campsite #FT1-20
Unfortunately, Dirt Flat Campgrounds is sandwiched between a road on one side and on the other side a highway just across the Merced River. I saw headlights all night long.
@MarkI209 · Camped on May 16, 2021 at Campsite #FT1-20
Great experience, very quiet, clean outhouse. I would highly recommend.
No Service
@TobinS890 · Camped on May 16, 2021 at Campsite #FT1-20
The campsite is great. The host was very helpful and informative of the campgrounds. Although it is slightly out of Yosemite valley it was an enjoyable camping location. Placed right next to the Merced River it provides an elegant backdrop to the campsite. The only negative thing that I can say that my group experienced is that the main road is relatively close to the campgrounds. Shouldn't bother heavy sleepers but my wife had difficulties sleeping due to cars driving by late at night. Overall a great place to camp and would do again!
No Service
@GlennP919 · Camped on May 9, 2021 at Campsite #FT1-20
Dirt Flat is a small, well managed, little-known walk-in BLM campground along the Merced River. We were pleased to find that it has been upgraded since 2019, so that potable water is now available at the campground. The campground host was very pleasant and friendly. She offered a friendly warning about recent bear and mountain-lion activity.
No Service
@ErinB670 · Camped on May 4, 2021 at Campsite #FT1-20
The campground was in a really cool location right along the Merced River! There will be some road noise but it is mostly blocked out by the rushing water. There was a working water spout even though the reservation warns of an outage. We had an unpleasant experience with the camp host, so as a warning, if you check in late make sure to get a confirmation slip of some kind to prevent the trouble we went through the next day.
@RyanC531 · Camped on May 2, 2021 at Campsite #FT1-20
Wonderful spot on the river. Not much to do there but nice and relaxing. There is water and trash service despite what the description says. Bathroom was clean and camp host was very nice.
No Service
map icon in the lower right corner.
*Earn our 
Show your commitment in keeping our forests healthy and protecting our public lands by earning the Leave No Trace badge.