Dardanelle Campgrounds

Stanislaus National Forest, California

Dardanelle - Brightman Flat Area Campgrounds

Hiking, Fishing, Campfires, Star Gazing

Campground Index

Early Settlers

Originally plans for the Sonora and Mono Wagon Road bypassed the Dardanelle - Brightman Flat area. A change in the surveyed route in 1862 brought a rush of speculators to the area to claim what they hoped would be valuable land along the proposed road.

Some of the first claimants were road commissioners who had been the very ones who had suddenly switched the route of the wagon road. Citizens shouted "foul" and the commissioners were forced to abandon their claims. Another early settler was David Hays, who set up a hostlery at Eureka Flat.

Frederick A. Brightman staked out the land near Dardanelle "where the road crosses the Stanislaus River." Brightman only owned the land a single day before selling it to Andrew Fletcher, but it was Brightman's name that has stuck with the area.

Proposed Railroad

In 1887 a survey party for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad set out into the mountains around the Stanislaus River, seeking a route to build a railroad. One plan called for taking the railroad up the Clark Fork and building a tunnel through the mountains to the eastern side near the Walker River. Obviously the railroad was never built.

From the 1920s

J. D. McCarty lived at the head of Eureka Valley where he pastured as many as 4,000 sheep on the Red Peak range. He built a home and a supply station for herders. His 11-year-old son Jackson drove a truck for McCarty, hauling supplies.

With tongue and groove flooring purchased from an old dance hall in Sugar Pine, McCarty put together a 10 by 20 foot building with hinged shutters and a steeply inclined roof. There he held dances for mountain visitors, using a $200 Victrolia to supply the music. His only rule: No dancing allowed in hob-nailed boots.

Go Prepared

Five campgrounds are spread along the Dardanelle - Brightman Flat corridor. All of them are situated close to the South Fork of the Stanislaus River and are guarded over by ancient pines, but each campground has its own unique character. Many families become attached to a particular campground and return to it year after year.

Boulder Flat Campground

The Boulder Flat Campground is located on Highway 108 about 1.8 miles west of the Dardanelle Resort. The Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River runs past the campground. At an elevation of 5,600' Boulder Flat Campground is usually open from late May through October.

Cost: $17 for a single site and $5 for an extra vehicle
Reservations: None - first come, first served

Boulder Flat Campground Amenities

3 tent-only sites and 17 RV or tent sites
Piped water
Vault toilets
Shower and laundry available at Dardanelle Resort
Parking for medium-size RVs and trailers

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Brightman Flat Campground

The Brightman Campground is located on Highway 108 one mile west of the Dardanelle Resort. The Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River runs past the campground. At an elevation of 5,880' Brightman Flat Campground is usually open from late May through October.

Cost: $15 for a single site and $5 for an extra vehicle
Reservations: None - first come, first served

Brightman Flat Campground Amenities

14 tent-only sites and 18 RV or tent sites
Piped water
Vault toilets
Shower and laundry available at Dardanelle Resort
Parking for large RVs and trailers

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Dardanelle Campground

The Dardanelle Campground is located on Highway 108 across from the Dardanelle Resort. The Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River runs past the campground. At an elevation of 5,700' Dardanelle Campground is usually open from late May through October.

Cost: $19 for a single site, $23 for a double site, and $5 for an extra vehicle
Reservations: None - first come, first served

Dardanelle Campground Amenities

6 tent-only sites and 21 RV or tent sites
Piped water
Vault toilets
Shower and laundry available at Dardanelle Resort
Accomodates medium-size RVs and trailers

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Pigeon Flat Campground

The Pigeon Flat Campground is located on Highway 108 1.5 miles east of the Dardanelle Resort. It is a "walk-in" campground, meaning that your vehicle is parked a short distance away from your camp site. It has no potable water. The Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River passes close to the campground. The Columns of the Giants, a geologic site, and Pigeon Flat Picnic Area are adjacent to the campground. At an elevation of 5,950' Pigeon Flat Campground is usually open from late May through October.

Cost: $11 for a single site and $5 for an extra vehicle
Reservations: None - first come, first served

Dardanelle Campground Amenities

7 tent sites
No piped water
Vault toilets
No RVs or trailers

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Eureka Valley Campground

The Eureka Valley Campground is located on Highway 108 2.5 miles east of the Dardanelle Resort. The Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River loops past the campground. At an elevation of 6,100' Eureka Valley Campground is usually open from late May through October.

Cost: $18 for a single site and $5 for an extra vehicle
Reservations: None - first come, first served

Eureka Valley Campground Amenities

27 RV or tent sites
Piped water
Vault toilets
Shower and laundry available at Dardanelle Resort
Spacious campground making it easy to maneuver RVs and trailers

Dardanelle Campgrounds

Stanislaus National Forest, California

Dardanelle - Brightman Flat Area Campgrounds

Hiking, Fishing, Campfires, Star Gazing

Campground Index

Map

Boulder Flat Campground

Brightman Campground

Dardanelle Campground

Pigeon Flat Campground

Eureka Valley Campground

Early Settlers

Proposed Railroad

From the 1920s

Go Prepared

Boulder Flat Campground

Boulder Flat Campground Amenities

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Brightman Flat Campground

Brightman Flat Campground Amenities

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Dardanelle Campground

Dardanelle Campground Amenities

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Pigeon Flat Campground

Dardanelle Campground Amenities

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Eureka Valley Campground

Eureka Valley Campground Amenities

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