California · Camping · Near Bear Valley

Brightman Flat

from $25
fee
May
season
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Brightman Flat open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Brightman Flat, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 5,683 ft
  • Summit Ranger DistrictStanislaus National Forest

Brightman Campground sits in a mixed conifer forest along the Stanislaus River in California's Stanislaus National Forest, within the Summit Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the campground has two entrances and 33 sites. The main road and parking pads are dirt, and each site has a table and a metal fire ring. Vault toilets are the restrooms, and potable water is not available. There is no designated trail down to the river. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically May and October, when typical averages from a nearby weather station run around 70°F for highs and 44°F for lows, with only a few wet days. That station sits about 900 feet lower than the campground, so temperatures here run cooler. A fee is charged for extra vehicle parking. Boulder Flat campground is about 0.7 miles away, and Dardanelle is about 1.1 miles away. The 6N06 SNOW TRAIL and the Eagle Creek hike are both within about 2 miles.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Brightman Flat

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lake Alpine Resort

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 12 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Brightman Flat

    Best months: May–June and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      49° / 31°

      10 wet · 5 snow

    2. Feb

      51° / 31°

      10 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      55° / 33°

      10 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      61° / 37°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      70° / 44°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      80° / 51°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 58°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 57°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 53°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 44°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 36°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    12. Dec

      49° / 31°

      9 wet · 4 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cherry Valley Dam, CA, 26.3 mi away at 4,765 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.