Dirt Flat Campground, El Portal, CA

Dirt Flat Campground is located in the Bass Lake Ranger District, Sierra National Forest (1 hr 28 min northeast of Merced, CA) with an elevation of 1,601 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites. The campground is open all year. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. There is a fee of $35.00 per night.

Make a Reservation

Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (28)

3.4 out of 5

5 star		32%
4 star		25%
3 star		7%
2 star		18%
1 star		18%

@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.

@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.

@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.

@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.

@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.

@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.

@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.

@IsabelleM75503 · Camped on Apr 3, 2022 at Campsite #FT1-20

Good location. The camp host was really nice, and the campground was clean.

@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.

@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.

@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.

@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.

@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.

@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.

@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!

@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.

@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.

@SengS573 · Camped on May 1, 2021 at Campsite #FT1-20

Dirt Flat Campground is so refreshing compared to always staying over inside the valley of Yosemite heart. The fat that there are literally only two campground made it that more special. We were able to stay up for as long as we wanted without bothering anyone else. The sounds of the river at night made my sleep that much more enjoyable.

@RicardoC311 · Camped on Apr 8, 2021 at Campsite #FT1-20

The campground is in good conditions. Reservation and procedures were confusing. We made plans in advance and according to online chart, there was nothing available for next day. Once you arrived to the ground, we learned it is not necessary. Campers just show up and wait to be charged for the space, if the ranger shows up.

@AnaP732 · Camped on Mar 25, 2021 at Campsite #FT1-20

our reservation on March 25th-26th got cancelled last-minute due to "unforeseen circumstances". still waiting for the refund.

@OrlandoA426 · Camped on Mar 19, 2021 at Campsite #FT1-20

Great stay at Dirt Flats, right on the River. I didn't see any trails near, which could make for a longer stay but was nicely maintained.

@NEILV882 · Camped on Feb 28, 2021 at Campsite #FT1-20

Had a great time camping here. Easy access, privacy, the restrooms were clean and the campsite itself was in order. A few things could be a tad bit better... 1: the access to the beautifully running Merced river could use some sort of clearance path from possibly two specific points (of site overseers preference) and 2: carved in steps to campsite 5 from the road that runs alongside the sites. The reason so is that the paved access from the parking lot is unusable. As well, we were given a little sass from a local rollerskater re parking on said road for approximately 15 minutes while unloading our vehicle. That aside I recommend this place for its convenient location to Yosemite (+- 20 minute drive to the valley) and enclosed by beautiful landscape.

See other campgrounds near El Portal, CA with availability Tonight
See other campgrounds near El Portal, CA with availability This Weekend

Other Campgrounds Nearby

We track all the sites so you don't have to.

Reservation Systems

Campsites Tracking

Campsite Reviews

Available Tonight

Available this Weekend

Cancellations Today

PRO $2.50/month

You're in Control. We never save credit card information or auto-renew subscriptions.

Availability Map Search
3000+ Interactive Campground Maps
Campground Virtual Tours
Save Your Favorite Campsites
Favorite Campsites Availability
Campground Mobile Speed Test Maps
National Parks, Forests & Ranger District Layers
Wildfires & Air Quality Map Layer
Satellite View Map Layer
Campsite SMS Cancellation Alerts
Rent your Property & Cabins
Love's & Super Walmart Map Layers
Cracker Barrel & Bass Pro Shop Map Layers
Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) Layer
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Map Layer
RV Propane, Parking, Dump, Water Map Layer

Pro is FREE for 7 days. (No credit card information required!)

Thanks to all our Supporting Members

@BranJen - Santa Clara, CA

I wanted to thank you for this site and especially for the notifications feature. Thanks to your site and my subscription I was able to book a campsite I've been annoyingly trying to book for 5 years unsuccessfully. So thank you.

@Wondering - Oregon

Wow! Woke up this morning to a notification that a favorite had opened at Paulina, and when I went to check, it was there. This membership just paid for itself in the first 24 hours I owned it. Couldn't take the site it conflicted with a trip already set, but it truly was there. Thanks Tons.

@CarlaLThompson - Colorado

I just love this site and I tell everyone about it! It's so competitive to secure desired campsites and the alerts really help track when sites free up. The best part of this story is our alert notified a cancellation the next day!!!!!! Just incredible!!!