McCabe Flat Campground
Campground · Yosemite corridor
McCabe Flat Campground sits at 1122 feet in the Yosemite corridor's lower Sierra Nevada. A low-elevation base camp with modest crowds and predictable spring conditions.
Wind averages 6 mph but can spike to 19 mph in afternoon surges off drainage flows. The low elevation holds warmth longer than higher camps. Morning hours are calmer; plan exposed activities before mid-afternoon.
The 30-day average wind of 6 mph and temperature of 54 degrees reflect typical spring stability at this elevation. The rolling 30-day score averages 16.0, with lows near 10 and peaks above 35; expect variable days between settled windows. Watch the 7-day outlook for wind spikes above 12 mph and temperature swings tied to storm passage.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About McCabe Flat Campground
McCabe Flat Campground occupies a gentle flat along the Merced River drainage in the lower Yosemite corridor. Located at 1122 feet, it sits significantly below Yosemite Valley and most high Sierra destinations, making it accessible year-round and often the first camp to shed snow. Primary access is via Highway 140 from the west (Mariposa gateway) or via California State Route 49. The campground serves as a staging point for Yosemite visitors or as a standalone river-adjacent base for those seeking lower-elevation, milder conditions.
Spring conditions at McCabe Flat favour morning visits. The 30-day average temperature of 54 degrees and average wind of 6 mph mask significant day-to-day variability; the rolling 30-day maximum wind reaches 19 mph, typically in afternoon hours when drainage winds accelerate. Crowding averages 12.0 on the popularity scale, well below Yosemite Valley proper. April through May bring the most unstable weather; settle patterns emerge by late May. Afternoon wind is the dominant planning factor; morning paddlers, swimmers, or anglers experience calmer water and air. Avoid afternoons if you are sensitive to wind or managing small craft.
McCabe Flat suits river campers, vehicle-based families seeking proximity to Yosemite without high-elevation weather, and paddlers using the Merced as a shuttle corridor. Experienced visitors time activities to morning windows and expect to be off the water or exposed slopes by early afternoon. Parking is straightforward during low-crowding periods but fills during holiday weekends and the first surge after Highway 140 fully opens in spring. Smoke from upriver fires can settle here in late summer; check air quality before committing a stay. The low elevation makes it habitable when higher camps remain snowbound.
Nearby alternatives include Mariposa Grove (lower Yosemite, shorter drive), Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (higher elevation, different drainage, calmer than Merced corridor), and Yosemite Valley proper (higher crowds, more stable mid-elevation conditions). McCabe Flat's primary advantage is its low altitude and accessibility. Visitors planning multi-day Yosemite trips often use McCabe Flat as a warmup or recovery camp before ascending to valley or wilderness zones.