Bretz Mill Campground
Located in a setting of pines and oak, Bretz Mill Campground is located alongside Big Creek. Some sites are located on the creek. The location of the campground makes an great get-a-way for picnicking, cooling off during hot days and overnight camping, especially when higher elevation campgrounds are under snow. The area also serves as a popular OHV base camp. Access to facility is paved. Campground is maintained by Mountain Toppers 4 WD club.
More like this: first-come in California · free in California · tent only in California
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | No fee |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Open all year |
| Forest | Sierra National Forest |
| Fees | No fee |
| Rules | Maximum vehicle length = 24' Maximum stay = 14 days Maximum group size = 6 per site |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 37.0378° N, 119.2412° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCy26 Snf Rx Support
10 mi from the campground
- PrescribedGrant Grove Fall Rx
25 mi from the campground · 466 acres
- PrescribedThree Creeks Rx/Support Season
50 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Shaver Lake Sports ↗ | 6.4 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 7.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 55 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
FREE campground in the Central Sierra - Bretz Mill Campground - Fresno County
Worth a stop
- 5.3 mi
- 5.7 miTrails End Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 6.4 miDorabelle Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 9 miTamarack Ridge Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 1.7 miSummit Creek0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 more
- 3.1 miBarnes Mountain0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 3.9 miDinkey Staging0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 3.9 miGlen Meadow0.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4.4 miSwanee1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 4.5 miBald Mountain T210.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Sierra National Forest.
- inSierra National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,418,790 acres
- 4.3 miJohn Muir Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 652,903 acres
- 10.7 miDinkey Lakes Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 30,863 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Dinkey Creek BridgeStructure · Dinkey Creek · 5.2 mi
Guidebooks for California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Bretz Mill Campground?
No. Bretz Mill Campground is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Bretz Mill Campground?
Nothing. Bretz Mill Campground is listed as free. No fee
Source: Forest Service
Is Bretz Mill Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 26, 2026. Season Open all year.
Source: Forest Service status
Can I bring an RV to Bretz Mill Campground?
Bretz Mill Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Bretz Mill Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Swanson Campground (4.4 mi, first-come), Dinkey Creek (5.1 mi), and A Group Campground (5.2 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby