MARIPOSA, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office is reopening the Briceburg Visitor Center located 12 miles northeast of Mariposa along State Route 140 at the entrance of the Merced River Recreation Management Area. The visitor center is open Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Briceburg Put-in, near the visitor center, offers day use parking, restrooms, barbeque grills, picnic spots and boat launch. The wild and scenic Merced River boasts Class III (intermediate) and Class IV (advanced) white-water rapids.
BLM-managed campgrounds downstream include McCabe Flat, Willow Placer and Railroad Flat, which offer designated, numbered camp sites on a first-come, first-serve basis for $10 per night. No reservations are available. Fires are allowed only in the provided metal rings, and are subject to seasonal fire restrictions. No glass bottles are allowed within one-quarter mile of the Merced River. No potable water is available. If allowed, dogs must be on a leash at all times. Learn more at https://www.blm.gov/visit/.
Swimming, fishing, hiking and gold panning are popular activities. The public is reminded that swimming in the Merced River during the snowpack run-off season can be very dangerous as the water can be cold and swift moving. There is no lifeguard on duty.
2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Follow the #FindYourWay on social media and learn more at https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/about/rivers-trails-50.
The Briceburg Visitor Center is ADA accessible and open seasonally from the first week in May through Labor Day. For more information, please call 209-379-9414.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
