
20
Total Campsites
Campground
—
Reservable Sites
Mostly first-come
—
Accessible
ADA-compliant sites
—
Organization
Managing agency
Overview
About YUBA PASS CAMPGROUND
Overview Yuba Pass Campground is located in the North Yuba River area, atop Yuba Pass on Highway 49. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including birding, hiking, biking, hunting, and fishing. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest Recreation Bird watching is a favorite activity on Yuba Pass. The peaceful and scenic surroundings attract a wide variety of birds, including sandhill cranes, hermit warblers, black-backed woodpeckers, sapsuckers, calliope hummingbirds, sooty grouse, northern pygmy-owls, mountain quail, bald eagles, osprey, hawks and geese. A large network of trails is available in the area, including the Pacific Crest Trail in the Lakes Basin area. Facilities Bird watching is a favorite activity on Yuba Pass. The peaceful and scenic surroundings attract a wide variety of birds, including sandhill cranes, hermit warblers, black-backed woodpeckers, sapsuckers, calliope hummingbirds, sooty grouse, northern pygmy-owls, mountain quail, bald eagles, osprey, hawks and geese. A large network of trails is available in the area, including the Pacific Crest Trail in the Lakes Basin area. Natural Features A forest of old-growth red fir provides ample shade for campsites. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area. contact_info For facility specific information, please call (530) 362-8259. Nearby Attractions Yuba Pass Campground is located on the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway (Highway 49) near many gold rush era historical sites and scenic mountain vistas. Many points of interest lie along Highway 49 and are part of the 49 miles of Highway 49 driving tour; look for interpretive signs and other historical sites along this tour route. Gold Lakes Basin offers boating, fishing, biking, and hiking. Boating, fishing and swimming are available at nearby Sardine Lakes, about nine miles west of the campground. Sardine Lakes Resort offers boat rentals. Anglers will find rainbow and brook trout in many of the lakes, streams, and rivers throughout the basin. Over 30 miles of maintained trails for hiking, mountain biking, and motorcycle singletrack branch out across the area and the Pacific Crest Trail can be accessed at a few spots in the Lakes Basin area. The historic towns of Sierra City and Sierraville offer historic and cultural attractions, restaurants, shops, churches, and vistor information. Charges & Cancellations No Show Policy A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival). * No-show customers are only recorded at staffed facilities. At most remote facilities, all customers are noted as automatically checked-in on the date of arrival. * It is recommended that staffed facilities hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. * It is recommended that staffed facilities hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date. There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation if the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit some or all of the recreation fees. There is no change fee if the customer changes campsites that are the same price and on the same reservation dates in the same campground. If the campsite the customer is changing to has a price difference, the customer will be responsible for any additional fees or be provided with a refund, based on the price difference. Where recorded, no-show customers are assessed a $20.00 no-show fee and forfeit the first night's recreation fee for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use recreation fee for a day-use facility. We recommend customers contact the facility if they are en route to their reservation but cannot make it by the check-in date. In these cases, no refund will be issued, but the facility can ensure that a "no-show" fee is not assessed.
- 20 total campsites listed.
- Primarily first-come camping based on current listing data.
- Most common site type: unknown (20).
- Map coordinates are available for trip planning.


Our Take
What makes YUBA PASS CAMPGROUND special
Sitting right atop Yuba Pass along historic Highway 49, Yuba Pass Campground is a quiet gem in the northern Sierra Nevada that birders and wildflower enthusiasts have long considered one of their best-kept secrets. The campground rests at the headwaters of the North Yuba River, surrounded by a mosaic of red fir forest, wet meadows, and montane chaparral that supports an extraordinary diversity of birdlife. This is one of the premier birding destinations in California. Species like the black-backed woodpecker, Williamson's sapsucker, sooty grouse, and mountain quail are regularly spotted along the nearby trails. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses just minutes from camp, offering day hikes through wildflower-drenched meadows that peak in July. For a change of pace, the historic gold rush towns of Downieville and Sierra City are a scenic drive down the canyon. The campground is small and wonderfully peaceful, with a handful of forested sites offering vault toilets but no hookups or piped water, so bring your own supply. The intimate size means it rarely feels crowded, even on summer weekends, though arriving early on Fridays is a good strategy during July and August. The best season runs from late June through September, with July and early August being prime time for both birds and blooms. Yuba Pass is a place for those who find their joy in binoculars, field guides, and unhurried mornings.
Campsite Inventory
20 sites to choose from
Unknown
0
Reservable
0
Accessible
Amenities & Details
Everything you need to know
Campfire Allowed
Yes
Site capacity
Single
Check-in time
2:00 PM
Check-out time
12:00 PM
Driveway entry
Back-in, Pull-through
Driveway length (ft)
30, 35, 40, 45
Driveway surface
Gravel, Paved
Fire Pit
Yes
Max guests
6
Max vehicle length (ft)
30, 35, 40, 45
Minimum guests
Yes
PAVED PARKING
Paved Parking
Pets allowed
Yes
Picnic Table
Yes
Shade
Yes
Site Access
Drive-In
Reservations & Contact
Plan your stay
Phone
(530)478-6253
Getting There
From Sierraville, travel south (west) on Highway 49 for 11 miles. Turn left at the entrance to the snow park and continue about a quarter-mile to the campground entrance on the right side of the road.
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know before your trip to YUBA PASS CAMPGROUND.
How do reservations work for YUBA PASS CAMPGROUND?
Reservation availability for YUBA PASS CAMPGROUND can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.
What campsite types are available at YUBA PASS CAMPGROUND?
YUBA PASS CAMPGROUND currently lists Unknown (20).
Where is YUBA PASS CAMPGROUND located?
YUBA PASS CAMPGROUND is in California near Camptonville. Coordinates: 39.6158, -120.4905.
Keep Exploring