Connectivity
No community carrier report is currently published for this campground.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
San Joaquin River Gorge Camping
Bakersfield Field Office, California
About this campground
There are 5 walk-in campsites located at Ya-Gub-Weh-Tuh, and 3 campsites located at the Equestrian Campground, which is suited for trailers and car camping.
The scenic San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area straddles the San Joaquin River just upstream from Millerton Lake State Recreation Area and includes lands in both Fresno and Madera Counties.
The San Joaquin River Gorge is located in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, just a short drive from the Sierra National Forest.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 37.083020° N
- Longitude
- 119.554160° W
Know before you arrive
Access, sites & campground features
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Access
- Walk-in
Site types
- Equestrian sites
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- Picnic table
- ADA access
- Trash service
- Pets allowedDogs are allowed at developed BLM recreation sites when kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under control, or otherwise physically restrained, at all times. Posted site restrictions still apply.
For vehicles
- Parking
- Paved parking
Official campground guide
Plan with the full campground details
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
Overview
The scenic San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area straddles the San Joaquin River just upstream from Millerton Lake State Recreation Area and includes lands in both Fresno and Madera Counties. Multiple campground and day-use sites are available for your enjoyment, as well as over 20 miles of outstanding multi-use trails.
Day use and camping fees can be paid in person with cash, or via Scan & Pay. All camping is first-come, first-served, so advance payment for camping is not advised. Federal Interagency (America the Beautiful) Passes are also accepted for day use and can be purchased at our Visitor Center, which is open Friday - Sunday, 8 AM - 2 PM.
Regardless of your visitation type or payment method, please fill out a pink recreation permit envelope with your information, then deposit it in the Iron Ranger at the trailhead or day use area. The 'receipt' from the permit should hang on your vehicle's rear-view mirror for the duration of your visit. The camping "receipt" from the permit should be placed on your campsite post, with the arrival and departure dates.
Facilities
Each campsite has a picnic table and fire pit / grill. There is a double accessible vault toilet located at Ya-Gub-Weh-Tuh, and a portable restroom at the Equestrian Campground. Each campground has potable water.
Recreation
The San Joaquin River Gorge trail system is our most popular recreation feature. The 20+ miles of trails are all multi use and non-motorized: open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrian use. Most of our trails are located at the main trailhead and campground Ya-Gub-Weh-Tuh.
There are 5 walk-in campsites located at Ya-Gub-Weh-Tuh, and 3 campsites located at the Equestrian Campground, which is suited for trailers and car camping.
Hunting is allowed in the recreation area, with an exclusion zone around the developed campground areas.
Target shooting is not allowed in the recreation area.
Natural Features
The San Joaquin River Gorge is located in the Sierra Nevada Foothills at approximately 1000' elevation. The area is primarily oak woodland, with some gray pines as well. On either side of the San Joaquin River, there is a scenic table mountain system.
Nearby Attractions
The San Joaquin River Gorge is located in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, just a short drive from the Sierra National Forest. The SJRG is also located approximately half way between Yosemite National Park and Sequoia / Kings Canyon National park, approximately 2 hours to each.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Biking
- Camping
- Caving
- Day Use Area
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Hunting
- Horseback Riding
- Mountain Biking
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Visitor Center
- Water Access
- Climbing
Amenities and facility features
- Vault or pit toilets
- Potable water
- Picnic tables
- Pets allowedFollow the exact facility restrictions
- Accessible Drinking Water
- Accessible Grills
- Accessible Parking
- Accessible Pit Toilets
- Corrals
- Day Use Area
- Drinking Water
- Fire Pit
- Horse Corrals
- Parking Area
- Paved Parking
- Picnic Area
- Pit Toilets
- Portable Toilets
- Tables
- Trailhead Parking
- Vault Toilets
- Visitor Center
- Water Spigot
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Walk To
5 sites- Maximum people
- 12
- Check-in
- 12:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Equestrian Non-Electric
3 sites- Maximum people
- 12
- Check-in
- 12:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Site rules, inventory & rates
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Site rules
- Site availability
- The official inventory marks these campsites as first come, first served rather than reservable live inventory.
- Base site allowance
- Ya-Gub-Weh-Tuh • Single Campsite: $10 per night • Double Campsite: $15 per night Equestrian Campground • $25 per night
- Max Stay
- 14 nights
- Check-in
- 12:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Food storage
- San Joaquin River Gorge Camping's official facility record checked 2026-10-16 does not publish a food-storage method; confirm the posted rule with Bakersfield Field Office.
- Fire and stove use
- San Joaquin River Gorge Camping's official facility record states: Each campsite has a picnic table and fire pit / grill.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed at developed BLM recreation sites when kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under control, or otherwise physically restrained, at all times. Posted site restrictions still apply.
Inventory window
No live campsite inventory is published. Sites use an arrival-based, first-come procedure; dates selected in Kampilo are for trip planning only.
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-come, First-served SeasonJul 26, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026 | Equestrian Non-Electric | $25 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonJul 26, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026 | Walk To | $15 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonJul 26, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026 | Walk To | $10 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- All camping is first come, first served only. Once you arrive, please fill out a permit envelope located at the Iron Ranger next to the kiosk. Attached to the permit envelope are two receipts: one part of the receipt goes on your dashboard or rear view mirror, and the other part of the receipt goes on your campsite post. The filled out envelope should be placed in the iron ranger. If paying with scan & pay, please write your receipt/ confirmation number on the envelope in lieu of cash.
- Pay attention to posted first restrictions. If in fire restrictions, campfires and charcoal BBQs are not allowed. Camp / propane stoves are allowed with a valid california campfire permit. Campfire permits are located at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/ , or at our visitor center Friday - Sunday.
Getting there & contact
Official directions
40060 Smalley Road, Auberry, California The San Joaquin River Gorge Recreation Area is located approximately five (5) miles northwest of the town of Auberry. Google Maps accurately locates the visitor center. From Fresno, take CA-168 north. One mile after the town of Prather, turn left onto Auberry Road. Follow Auberry Road 2.9 miles through the town of Auberry and turn left at the "Y" onto Powerhouse Road. After 1.8 miles, turn left onto Smalley Road and follow it down into the recreation area.
Facility contact
559-855-3492