Merrill Springs RD (FR 03N01) — Groveland in CA -- Camping Rules & Access
Merrill Springs RD (FR 03N01) — Groveland in CA
Road corridorStanislaus NF, Groveland Ranger District
4.7 mi from Mi-Wuk Village
Maps 4,658 ft
Dispersed camping generally allowed
U.S. Forest Service default; a local order can restrict it.
Motor-vehicle season 4/15–12/15Stay limit: 21 days · Per calendar year, counted per ranger district
VerizonNONE
AT&TNONE
T-MobileNONE
StarlinkGOOD
Road Access
Difficult
- 22.7 of this road’s 43.4 miles are maintained for high-clearance vehicles, 20.3 miles of it dirt.
- Terrain estimates show roadside drops of up to ~170 ft on the downhill side.
- Winds through 67 switchbacks.
- Dead-end road; turnaround space is not mapped.
- Gates 0.1 and 3.5 miles along the road.
Setting
Some privacy
- Moderately separated here.
- North Fork Tuolumne River runs 0.1 mi off.
Rules
- The maximum cumulative days camping in any forest ranger district is 21 per calendar year. 36 CFR 261.50(a) Dispersed campers are permitted to park within one vehicle length (including any tow vehicle) of a National Forest transportation route and walk into camp. Dispersed camping is not allowed within a designated developed recreation area. 36 CFR 261.16(e) … camp at least 100 feet away from edges of meadows, lakes, or streams … From December 15 to April 15 all forest roads are subject to a seasonal closure due to winter weather. Due to this closure, traditional dispersed camping is not available during this time.
- Camping rules
Climate averages
October normals 45–69°F, 2.5″ precipitation. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.