Ya-gub-weh-tuh Campground

Open — Open year-round for first-come, first-served camping. No advance reservations accepted.

About

Ya-Gub-Weh-Tuh Campground serves as the gateway to the San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area, a 7,000-acre BLM property located approximately five miles northwest of Auberry in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The campground features six walk-in tent sites positioned to capture dramatic views of the Table Mountains. Sites are reached via a primitive hardened path from the paved parking area, making them accessible while maintaining a backcountry feel. Each site includes a picnic table and fire pit, with a maximum capacity of 8 people per single site. Double sites with two tables are also available. The campground provides essential amenities including drinking water, trash receptacles, and a vault toilet, though electricity and RV hookups are not available. This is strictly a tent camping facility operating on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations accepted. The location is significant for its connection to the Dumna and Kechayi Native American heritage, with trail names derived from their language. From the campground, visitors can access multiple trail systems including the one-mile Foot Bridge Trail, the six-mile Pa'san Ridge loop through chaparral uplands, and connections to the larger San Joaquin River Trail network. The area supports multi-use recreation for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians, with motorized use prohibited on trails.

Directions

Located approximately 5 miles northwest of Auberry. From Fresno, take CA-168 north. One mile after Prather, turn left onto Auberry Road. Follow 2.9 miles through Auberry and turn left at the Y onto Powerhouse Road. After 1.8 miles, turn left onto Smalley Road and follow it into the San Joaquin River Gorge SRMA.

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