Carlton

Star4.06
89 reviews
YUBA RIVER RANGER DISTRICT, 15924 HIGHWAY 49, Camptonville, CA 95922, USA

Quick Facts

2,382 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Open April 15 throug...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Tahoe National Forest site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Carlton
$24.00 - $24.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard nonelectric sites cost $24 per night during both peak and non-peak seasons. Additional vehicle fees cost $5 per night for untowed vehicles.
Standard Site Fee$24.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
(530)478-6253
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What Campers Say

4.06

Satisfactory

Based on 89 reviews

32 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peaceful

Some mention

dusty

"User reviews for Carlton Campground are mixed, highlighting the scenic location by the North Yuba River and convenient access to water and trails. Complaints include noise from the highway, lack of camp host oversight, and cleanliness issues in some facilities."

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Campground Map

YUBA RIVER RANGER DISTRICT, 15924 HIGHWAY 49, Camptonville, CA 95922, USA

Carlton

YUBA RIVER RANGER DISTRICT, 15924 HIGHWAY 49, Camptonville, CA 95922, USA

Driving directionsFrom Downieville, travel south on Highway 49 for just over 13 miles. The campground is on the left side of the highway. From Nevada City, travel north on Highway 49 for just under 30 miles. The campground is on the right side of the highway.
The campground is directly accessible from Highway 49, which is paved and well-maintained. There are no seasonal closures mentioned for Highway 49, and the campground is next to the highway allowing easy access.
Nearby places
Downieville (13 miles, ~20 minutes), Nevada City (30 miles, ~40 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Unspecified
groceries, camping supplies, fuel details are null.

Best Time to Camp at Carlton

Experience the full spectrum of Sierra Nevada seasons at Carlton Campground. Summer transforms the area into a sun-drenched paradise where temperatures climb to a toasty 90°F, making those refreshing river dips absolutely irresistible. As autumn arrives, the campground becomes a photographer's dream with moderate temperatures and crystal-clear skies painting perfect outdoor conditions. Winter brings a dramatic transformation as snow blankets the landscape, creating a serene wonderland though access becomes limited during seasonal closures. Spring awakens the forest with moderate temperatures and pristine weather, ideal for those seeking to escape the crowds and embrace nature's renewal.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Summer offers swimming and peak activity but reports of overcrowding and noise.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Fall described as quieter and more peaceful; good scenery and milder crowds.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring noted as quieter and peaceful with good access to trails and river; positive reviews.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside Apr 15–Oct 31; winter visits not supported.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: April 15 - October 15 (Peak Season), October 16 - October 31 (Non-Peak Season). Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open April 15 through October 31. Reservable season starts June 25 and ends October 31. Closed outside these dates.
  • Current Alerts: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to weather conditions. Contact the Yuba River Ranger District for updates.

About Carlton

Nestled along the pristine waters of the North Yuba River, Carlton Campground offers an intimate riverside retreat in the heart of Tahoe National Forest. This charming small campground provides the perfect balance of accessibility and natural beauty, sitting just off Highway 49 while maintaining a peaceful atmosphere. Whether you're settling in with a tent or parking your trailer, you'll find modern conveniences including vault toilets, fresh drinking water, and shaded picnic areas. The true magic lies in each campsite's private pathway leading directly to the river's edge, where crystal-clear waters beckon and adventure awaits.
Carlton Campground accommodates a variety of camping styles with sites suitable for tent and trailer camping. "The campground offers single-family campsites suited for both tent and trailer camping."
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
  • Check-in policies unspecified
  • assumed to align with general norms.
Check-out
Check-out time is the day after scheduled arrival for no-show policies.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay of 14 nights during a visit and 14 total nights per year.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Carlton Campground offers a plethora of outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and wildlife viewing. "The North Yuba River offers swimming, wading and rainbow trout fishing. Seasonal rafting and kayaking are popular water activities. A network of trails through the surrounding area provides opportunities for hiking, biking and OHV use. The North Yuba River Trail can be accessed from the nearby Rocky Rest trailhead." User reviews also confirm access to the river and proximity to swimming holes.
HikingHiking opportunities are abundant, with access to the North Yuba River Trail and other nearby trails: "A network of trails through the surrounding area providing opportunities for hiking, biking and OHV use."
FishingFishing is a popular activity, particularly for rainbow trout. User reviews mention: "There is a couple of good spots to fish, only got little browns, catch and release."
SwimmingSwimming is possible in shallow areas of the river. User feedback notes shallow, rocky areas and strong currents in certain sections: "The water was refreshingly cool when paired with 90 degree weather. Strong currents at certain points so children should be supervised."
BikingBiking trails are available, and users comment on the suitability for outdoor biking near the campground: "A network of trails through the surrounding area providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and OHV use."
BoatingBoating activities like kayaking and rafting are seasonal and tied to water conditions: "Seasonal rafting and kayaking are popular water activities."
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is mentioned, particularly along the North Yuba River. User reviews do not explicitly name species but emphasize natural surroundings: "Beautiful site on the river."
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include strong water currents in the river, bear activity, and slippery algae-covered rocks. Rattlesnakes have been reported near campsites.
Active AlertsFire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to weather conditions. Contact the Yuba River Ranger District for updates.
Food Storage RequiredFood storage lockers are provided at each campsite to mitigate bear risks.

Weather at Carlton

Reviews

4.1
89 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Carlton is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Carlton Campground are mixed, highlighting the scenic location by the North Yuba River and convenient access to water and trails. Complaints include noise from the highway, lack of camp host oversight, and cleanliness issues in some facilities.
Review Summaries
Based on 89 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive feedback emphasizes beautiful river access, helpful rangers, and peaceful settings in certain seasons: "Most camp spots have a little brush separating each other." "Great swimming!" "Loved...
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Based on 89 reviews

Common Concerns

Common concerns involve noise from nearby highways, lack of camp host oversight, overcrowding, and inconsistent maintenance of vault toilets: "No camp host being present." "Outhouse ran out of toilet...
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Based on 89 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips from users include bringing toilet paper, water shoes, and canopies for shade. Supervising children near strong currents and avoiding busy periods are also recommended: "Bring canopies & a camp...
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Based on 89 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and fall are described as quieter and more peaceful periods for camping, while summer months tend to experience overcrowding and high noise levels from inconsiderate campers.
Based on 89 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Bathrooms were clean bring toilet paper theirs is not worthy lol." "Each campsite has a trail from their own campsite to the water so everyone has a private entrance." "It begs for a little fly...
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Based on 89 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites 2 & 3 are recommended for their excellent access to the river: "Sites 2 & 3 are best." Site 15 lacks shade due to tree removal: "Site 15 have no shade at camp at midday." Site 6 is described as...
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Based on 89 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility reviews are sparse. Vault toilets are generally clean and easier to navigate: "The pit toilets are old but seem well taken care of."
Based on 89 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash. Some users mention concerns about proximity to the road and ensuring pets are supervised: "...luckily our dogs didn’t seem too interested in getting...
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Based on 89 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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