Openings · last 7 days
14
Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 14 site openings here in the last 7 days
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-273838
When Willow Placer Campground reopens
Willow Placer Campground's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
65
Openings · last 90 days
121
Weekday pattern
Detected openings by day of week · 90dWednesday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected. 31 of 121 openings detected in the last 90 days occurred on a Wednesday (25.6%), with Monday (16) and Tuesday (16) next in line.
Hour-of-day pattern
First detected by hour · local time · last 90 daysThe largest concentrations of detected openings were first detected during the 05:00 and 16:00 local-time hours. Those hours contained 97 of 121 detected openings (80.2%). The remaining 19.8% occurred outside those hours. Hours show when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, in Pacific Time, not when the change was made upstream.
Highest-churn sites
Most openings · 90d| Site | Openings | Share of all openings |
|---|---|---|
| 012 | 46 | 38.0% |
| 020 | 40 | 33.1% |
| 013 | 11 | 9.1% |
| 016 | 8 | 6.6% |
| 014 | 6 | 5.0% |
Site 012 had the most detected openings in the last 90 days: 46. One free watch covers every site here.
02 · Availability Outlook · Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027 · of 9 monitored sites
Of the 1,647 tracked site-nights (Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027): 1,257 open for online reservation · 52 reserved · 338 not yet released.
Where the open windows are
23.7% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 1,257 of 1,647 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027Not open online23.7%
Open site-nights1,257 / 1,647
Reserved (of online inventory)52 / 1,309
Weekday openings733
Weekend openings524
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 733 fall on weekdays and 524 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Nov 2026 – May 2027January holds the most room. 217 of 279 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 9 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 4 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 1 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 4 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 7 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 7 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 7 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 7 | Open | |
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
Thanksgiving: 1 site is available for the complete three-night stay. Christmas: 7 sites are available for the complete two-night stay. New Year: 7 sites are available for the complete two-night stay. Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 015 | 181 |
| 016 | 180 |
| 013 | 177 |
| 018 | 177 |
| 014 | 176 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Nov 2, 2026 snapshotNext open dateMon · Nov 2
Next open weekendFri · Nov 6
The next bookable night is Nov 2; the first open weekend starts Nov 6. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
1,257 open site-nights across 9 sites at Willow Placer Campground, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 28 2-night, 27 3-night, 19 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Nov 2 at site 015.
All 9 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 015 | Not recorded | None | 181 | 157 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13 +169 more |
| 016 | Not recorded | None | 180 | 156 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13, Nov 14 +168 more |
| 013 | 22 ft | None | 177 | 127 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13 +165 more |
| 018 | Not recorded | None | 177 | 133 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 14, Nov 15, Nov 16 +165 more |
| 014 | Not recorded | None | 176 | 156 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 14, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18 +164 more |
| 019 | Not recorded | None | 171 | 139 nights | Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17 +159 more |
| 017 | Not recorded | None | 167 | 133 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 15, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 18 +155 more |
| 012 | 22 ft | None | 14 | 14 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13 +2 more |
| 020 | 22 ft | None | 14 | 14 nights | Nov 2, Nov 3, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 9, Nov 10, Nov 11, Nov 12, Nov 13 +2 more |
About Willow Placer Campground
Overview
Merced River Recreation Management Area Overview
The Merced River Recreation Area is a special place just downstream from Yosemite. It is well known for excellent whitewater boating, wildflower viewing, camping, swimming, and recreational gold panning/prospecting.
Visitors will have plenty to do in the Merced River Recreation Area during every season. Springtime comes early to the Merced River Canyon and by March the wildflower season is well on its way—lasting into May. Easy access, un-damned flows, and excellent whitewater boating attract rafters and kayakers during the spring runoff (April through July). Commercial rafting trips are available from the following BLM permitted outfitters: All Outdoors, ARTA, OARS, and Zephyr (Contact outfitters directly for more information) . It is a very popular swimming destination during the hot California foothill summers with some of the clearest swimming holes around. Gold panning and prospecting have never fallen out of favor since the 1850’s when this canyon had a large mining population. In autumn the crowds subside and the Merced River Recreation Area provides more solitude while still offering most of the appeal and activities as earlier in the year. By winter, true solitude can be found. The weather is usually quite warm and sunny between storms. Daytime highs in the 60’s and overnight lows in the 30’s are common.
While some activities are best in specific seasons, there are many things to do all year long. Bird watching is good throughout the area most of the year. Fishing is popular for trout and bass along the entire river. Biking along the gravel roads and trails is popular with families and experienced mountain bikers alike. Hiking is great anytime of the year. The Merced River Trail continues on downstream from the end of the campground River Road and brings hikers or bikers to the North Fork of the Merced and beyond. The Burma Grade is another popular route to explore on foot, bike, or high-clearance automobile. This scenic backroad climbs steeply out of the Merced Canyon and eventually leads to Greely Hill or Buck Meadows (highway 120).
Willow Placer Campground Overview
After crossing the historic Briceburg Suspension Bridge, Willow Placer Campground is 3.6 miles downstream along the Merced River Road. This is the second of three campgrounds operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) along the Merced Wild & Scenic River. This is a popular destination campground during spring and summer.
There are eight (8) walk-in campsites and one (1) drive-up group campsite. The walk-in sites are between 50 and 200 feet from the parking lot. An accessible crushed rock trail leads to each site.
Recreation
The Merced River Recreation Management Area was established due to the outstanding recreational opportunities found here. The proximity to Yosemite National Park attracts people from around the world to camp, boat, swim, and play along the Merced River.
Whitewater rafting opportunities are excellent with easy road-side access. Established launch sites upstream near El Portal are Redbud, Indian Flat, Old Suspension Bridge, and Briceburg Day-Use Area. Take-out locations include Briceburg Day Use Area, Railroad Flat Boat Ramp, and Bagby.
Hiking along the Merced River Trail/Old Yosemite Railroad Grade is good year around.
Camping along the Merced River has been a cherished recreational activity for generations of families for a hundred years. Picnicking, nature study, hobby gold prospecting, wildflower viewing, birding, mountain biking, and swimming are all popular recreational activities within the Merced River Recreation Management Area/Merced Wild & Scenic River.
Facilities
Each of the three BLM Merced River Campgrounds includes the following features:
• Vault toilet(s), and seasonal port-o-potties
• Bearproof garbage cans.
• Bearproof recycling cans.
• Bearproof food locker in each site
• Picnic table in each site
• Fire ring in each site
• Bulletin board with local information, rules and regulations
• Parking areas.
• Self-pay fee system.
• McCabe Flat Campground has a designated swimming area—NO DOGS ALLOWED.
Natural Features
Willow Placer Campground is situated on the shore of the Merced Wild & Scenic River. All of the eight (8) walk-in campsites are within 100 feet of the river, the group site is within 200' of the river. The river is the main natural feature here; as well as easy access to the Merced River Trail a short drive beyond the last campground.
The Merced River Trail follows the Old Yosemite Railroad grade past where cars can drive. This trail is spectacular during springtime (February-April)! It provides good access to more secluded swimming and fishing holes downstream from the campgrounds. This trail also provides access to the North Fork of the Merced River where swimming and wildflower viewing is excellent in spring to early summer.
Wildflower viewing is great all along the Merced River. The best season to see the colorful display is February through April.
California Newts are common in this area. They are active in the winter and spring especially on wet days. They are slow moving docile creatures, but do not touch or pick them up. They have a neurotoxin in their skin that is poisonous to people and pets. Do not eat them.
Nearby Attractions
Yosemite National Park is the main attraction in Mariposa County. The Arch Rock Entrance Station is 26.4 miles from Willow Placer Campground (20 miles from the Briceburg Visitor Center on Highway CA-140).
California State Mining and Mineral Museum is located at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds--14.2 miles from the Briceburg Visitor Center.
Mariposa Museum and History Center is in downtown Mariposa 12 miles from the Briceburg Visitor Center. 5119 Jessie St Mariposa, CA 95338
Splash-n-Dash Aqua Park at Lake McSwain is 45 miles from the Briceburg Visitor Center.
9 monitored sitesRVs up to 22 ftNo hookupsPets OKMax party 20
Getting there
From Mariposa, take CA-140 east to the visitor center, where the highway first meets the Merced Wild & Scenic River. Turn into the visitor center and cross the Suspension Bridge. Follow the Briceburg Campground Road downstream 3.6 miles to Willow Placer Campground. From Yosemite/El Portal, take CA-140 west (downstream) to the visitor center, where the highway starts to climb away from the Merced Wild & Scenic River. Turn into the visitor center and cross the Suspension Bridge. Follow the Briceburg Campground Road downstream 3.6 miles to Willow Placer Campground.
Visitor Center - Campgrounds, Midpines, CA 95345916 941-3101 Mother Lode Field Office Main Phone
BackpackingBikingBirdingBoatingCampingGold PanningHikingKayakingMountain BikingPicnickingRaftingRiver TripsScenic DriveSwimmingVisitor CenterWater AccessWhitewater RaftingWildlife Viewing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-273838 · facility
Photo gallery
Roll CS-273838 · Willow Placer Campground · Midpines CA12 frames · facility
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Willow Placer Campground?
Reservations for Willow Placer Campground are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 1,257 of 1,647 tracked site-nights are open (76.3%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 121 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 2, 2026 19:20 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Willow Placer Campground?
Campsite Sniper detected 14 site-date openings at Willow Placer Campground in the last 7 days, 65 over 30 days and 121 over the last 90.
Which day of the week had the most detected openings at Willow Placer Campground?
Wednesday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected in the last 90 days: 31 of 121 (25.6%). Days reflect when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, not when the change occurred upstream.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Willow Placer Campground?
27 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Nov 2 at site 015. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which sites at Willow Placer Campground fit a 35-foot RV?
No RV-analyzable site here has a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 22 ft. 3 of those 9 sites have a recorded maximum length and 6 do not; they are not counted as fitting.
Which month has the most availability at Willow Placer Campground?
January 2027, with 217 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 279.
When is the next open date at Willow Placer Campground?
As of the Nov 2, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Mon, Nov 2 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Nov 6. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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