fbpx
Merced Irrigation District - Parks and Recreation

 

The following Park Facilities are OPEN:

  • All Campgrounds and Cabins – OPEN
  • Lake McClure – OPEN
  • Lake McSwain – OPEN
  • McSwain Ramp – OPEN
  • Horseshoe Bend Ramp – OPEN
  • Barrett Cove South Ramp – OPEN
  • McClure Point South Ramp – OPEN
  • McClure Point North Ramp – OPEN 
  • Bagby Ramp – OPEN
  • Barrett Cove Swim Lagoon – OPEN
  • McClure Point Swim Lagoon – OPEN

The following Park Facilities are CLOSED  

  • Barrett North Ramp – CLOSED
  • Horseshoe Bend Swim Lagoon – CLOSED
  • Barrett Cove Marina – CLOSED
  • Barrett Cove Upper Store – CLOSED

Campfires: Wood burning fires are currently NOT permitted. Propane and charcoal fires ONLY during wildfire season.

Merced Irrigation District - Parks and Recreation

 

 

The following Park Facilities are OPEN:

  • All Campgrounds and Cabins – OPEN
  • Lake McClure – OPEN
  • Lake McSwain – OPEN
  • McSwain Ramp – OPEN
  • Horseshoe Bend Ramp – OPEN
  • Barrett Cove South Ramp – OPEN
  • McClure Point South Ramp – OPEN
  • McClure Point North Ramp – OPEN
  • Bagby Ramp – OPEN
  • Barrett Cove Swim Lagoon – OPEN
  • McClure Point Swim Lagoon – OPEN

The following Park Facilities are CLOSED:

  • Barrett North Ramp – CLOSED
  • Horseshoe Bend Swim Lagoon – CLOSED
  • Barrett Cove Marina – CLOSED 
  • Barrett Cove Upper Store – CLOSED

Campfires: Wood burning fires are currently NOT permitted. Propane and charcoal fires ONLY during wildfire season.

***Some rate increases will occur starting on 3/31/23** Day Use fees are all increasing by $2 – Compliance Fee raises to $50 **

The following Park Facilities are OPEN:

  • All Campgrounds and Cabins – OPEN
  • Lake McClure – OPEN
  • Lake McSwain – OPEN
  • Horseshoe Bend Ramp – OPEN
  • Barrett Cove South Ramp – OPEN
  • McClure Point South Ramp – OPEN
  • McClure Point North Ramp – OPEN 

The following Park Facilities are CLOSED

  • McSwain Ramp – TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR DAM MAINTENANCE 3/16 – ?
  • Bagby Ramp – CLOSED
  • Barrett Cove North Ramp – CLOSED
  • McClure Point Swim Lagoon – CLOSED
  • Barrett Cove Swim Lagoon – CLOSED
  • Horseshoe Bend Swim Lagoon – CLOSED
  • Barrett Cove Marina – CLOSED

Campfires: Wood burning fires are currently PERMITTED only in contained rings and fire safe bins. Propane and charcoal fires are permitted year round

***Some rate increases will occur starting on 3/31/23** Day Use fees are all increasing by $2 – Compliance Fee raises to $50 **

The following Park Facilities are OPEN:

  • All Campgrounds and Cabins – OPEN
  • Lake McClure – OPEN
  • Lake McSwain – OPEN
  • Horseshoe Bend Ramp – OPEN
  • Barrett Cove South Ramp – OPEN
  • McClure Point South Ramp – OPEN
  • McClure Point North Ramp – OPEN 

The following Park Facilities are CLOSED

  • McSwain Ramp – TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR DAM MAINTENANCE 3/16 – ?
  • Bagby Ramp – CLOSED
  • Barrett Cove North Ramp – CLOSED
  • McClure Point Swim Lagoon – CLOSED
  • Barrett Cove Swim Lagoon – CLOSED
  • Horseshoe Bend Swim Lagoon – CLOSED
  • Barrett Cove Marina – CLOSED

Campfires: Wood burning fires are currently PERMITTED only in contained rings and fire safe bins. Propane and charcoal fires are permitted year round

Best Hidden Fishing Spots in Northern California

Going Camping? Don’t Forget These Essential Items

Nov 29th, 2022

Camping is the perfect activity for experiencing nature, taking a break from the modern lifestyle, and spending time with friends and family. However, preparing for an extended excursion into the wilderness can be an intimidating task, especially for first timers. This checklist will make sure that you pack all of the necessities for your next trip, and not forget anything at home!

Camping chair

1.Tent/Bedding

While a tent may seem like the last item you would forget when preparing for a camping trip, even the most obvious mistakes can be made when packing. If you are planning on using a tent during your trip, it is crucial to make sure that you have all of the required items for setting up your tent, including stakes, a mallet, sunshade, tarp, and duct tape for repairs. Bedding is also another item that should be at the top of your checklist. Sleeping bags, pillows, an air mattress, and an air pump are all easily forgettable items depending on your sleeping situation. Be sure to add all of the relevant items to your checklist!

Camping Checklist

2. Electronics

Although camping is meant to serve as a break from technology, many electronics are essential for both survival and comfort. Items such as flashlights, lanterns, headlamps, GPS systems, and cell phones are all useful for lighting up your campsite, tracking your location, and reaching emergency services. When packing, it is essential to pack extra batteries, as well as power banks for charging your phone and other devices. Small electronics can easily be overlooked during the packing process, which is why they should be prioritized on your camping checklist.

3. Cookware/Consumables

Although camping is meant to serve as a break from technology, many electronics are essential for both survival and comfort. Items such as flashlights, lanterns, headlamps, GPS systems, and cell phones are all useful for lighting up your campsite, tracking your location, and reaching emergency services. When packing, it is essential to pack extra batteries, as well as power banks for charging your phone and other devices. Small electronics can easily be overlooked during the packing process, which is why they should be prioritized on your camping checklist.Staying properly nourished and hydrated dur

ing a camping trip is essential. However, in the wilderness there will not always be a grocery store nearby, which is why it is crucial to bring supplies and a way to cook/store them. Camping stoves are perfect for preparing meals for a group of people. These stoves are fueled by propane, and it is always a good idea to pack an extra propane canister in case you run out. Whether or not you are using a camping stove, it is important to bring firestarting items that are permitted by the campsite you are at, such as propane, charcoal, wood, matches or a lighter. Make sure to check out website to see online for which types of fires allowed at your site, as this changes seasonally. Camping cookware, including pots, pans, tongs, spatulas, utensils, and plates arealso a necessity for any trip to run smoothly. A cooler is also required for storing your perishable food. Make sure that your cooler is large enough to fit enough food for your group without taking up all of your vehicle’s available storage space.

People looking at sunset over lake

4. Activities

Lake McSwain is yet another great place for fishing in Mariposa County. Not only does it have a peaceful atmosphere and gorgeous views, but it is also home to the bi-annual Trout Derby due to its large trout habitat. There are many prominent fishing spots at Lake McSwain, such as “the brush pile”, fishing dock, and lower fishing access located on the forebay below the dam at McSwain on the Merced River. Plenty of camping options are also available at Lake McSwain, allowing you to pick a location closest to your favorite fishing spot! 

Plan your next trip at the Lake McClure, Lake McSwain, or both for twice the catches! Visit our website to learn more about reservations, pricing, and accommodations. We look forward to your next visit!