Briceburg

California wrote the book on ghost towns, from Gold Rush tent cities to Owens Valley farm towns the aqueduct dried up.

Briceburg, formerly known as Bear Creek, is an unincorporated community in Mariposa County, California, located along the Merced River near its confluence with Bear Creek, approximately 5 miles (8 km) north-northwest of Midpines. It is named for William M. Brice, who established a general store at the site in 1926.

The on-the-ground condition of Briceburg is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Briceburg is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Briceburg is roughly 37.6050, -119.9669 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.