Fiddle Creek

Star3.86
67 reviews
15924 Highway 49, Camptonville, CA 95922, USA
SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

2,333 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Open from April 15 t...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet 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
Fiddle Creek
$24.00 - $24.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Tent-only, non-electric campsites are available for $24 per night during both peak and first-come, first-served seasons.
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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What Campers Say

3.86

Mixed Reviews

Based on 67 reviews

36 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleanlocationwater

Some mention

noise

"Users generally appreciate the location's natural beauty, access to the North Yuba River, and shaded campsites. However, complaints about vault toilet cleanliness, traffic noise, and closely spaced sites are recurrent themes."

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Campground Map

15924 Highway 49, Camptonville, CA 95922, USA

Fiddle Creek

15924 Highway 49, Camptonville, CA 95922, USA

Driving directionsFrom Downieville, travel south on Highway 49 for about 12 miles. The campground is on the left side of the highway. From Nevada City, travel north on Highway 49 for 30 miles. The campground is on the right side of the highway.
The campground is accessible via Highway 49, a paved road. Campsites are close to parking areas but require carrying gear on foot.
Nearby places
Downieville (12 miles, approximately 20 minutes), Nevada City (30 miles, approximately 45 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Closest supplies can be found in Downieville, which offers grocery stores, fuel, and general essentials for camping.

Best Time to Camp at Fiddle Creek

Summer days at Fiddle Creek bring warmth that invites lazy afternoons by the river, while evenings cool down perfectly for gathering around the campfire. The North Yuba River transforms with the seasons – from rushing spring snowmelt that thrills rafters and kayakers to gentle summer flows ideal for swimming holes and peaceful wading. Each season paints the campground in different colors, from spring wildflowers to autumn's golden canopy, making every visit a unique adventure shaped by nature's rhythms.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Summer popular for swimming; most reviews in summer, but sanitation and fire risk cited.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open through Oct 15; canopy species suggest pleasant fall color though reviews sparse.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Open starting Apr 15; spring offers river access and fresh canopy but limited review detail.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed from Oct 15 to Apr 15; winter rating not applicable.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: April 15, 2025 - October 15, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open from April 15 to October 15. Reservations can be made from June 25 onward, with first-come, first-served availability during late October.
  • Current Alerts: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to dry weather conditions. Contact the Yuba River Ranger District for updates.

About Fiddle Creek

Nestled along the pristine north bank of the North Yuba River, Fiddle Creek Campground offers an authentic back-to-nature experience where the only sounds you'll hear are rushing water and rustling leaves. This tent-only sanctuary invites you to leave your vehicle behind and truly disconnect, with well-appointed sites featuring picnic tables, campfire rings, and bearproof food lockers tucked beneath a canopy of ancient trees. Modern conveniences like vault toilets and fresh drinking water ensure comfort without compromising the wilderness experience, while the absence of vehicle access preserves the tranquil atmosphere that makes this riverside retreat so special.
Fiddle Creek Campground provides tent-only camping sites, suitable for single-family use. "Several single-family sites, all of which are designated for tent camping only."
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
11:00 AM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit and 14 nights total per year.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a diverse range of activities such as hiking, hunting, fishing, and swimming. The North Yuba River is the focal point for water-based recreation including swimming, wading, rafting, kayaking, and tubing. "The North Yuba River offers swimming, wading and rainbow trout fishing. Seasonal rafting, kayaking and tubing are popular water activities."
HikingHiking opportunities are abundant with trails accessible in the surrounding area. A footbridge to the North Yuba Trail is near the Rocky Rest Campground. "A network of trails crisscrosses the surrounding area. A footbridge accessing the North Yuba Trail is located at nearby Rocky Rest Campground."
FishingFishing is available for rainbow trout in the North Yuba River. However, user reviews mention variability in fishing success due to water levels: "It was a fishing trip...but it was impossible water level rises in a few hours."
SwimmingSwimming is a popular activity, with a deep pool near the campsites. "Right after the rapids, there is a deep pool for swimming and diving and just lounging in the water."
BikingMountain biking is listed as one of the recreational options in the area but lacks specific trail details.
BoatingSeasonal rafting, kayaking, and tubing are popular on the North Yuba River. "Seasonal rafting, kayaking and tubing are popular water activities."
Winter Activities
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBears frequent the area, and fire restrictions may apply during hot, dry weather. River currents can be strong and water levels are subject to change.
Active AlertsFire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to dry weather conditions. Contact the Yuba River Ranger District for updates.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.
Food Storage RequiredBearproof food lockers are available at all individual campsites and are included in the base fee.

Weather at Fiddle Creek

Reviews

3.9
67 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Fiddle Creek has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
Users generally appreciate the location's natural beauty, access to the North Yuba River, and shaded campsites. However, complaints about vault toilet cleanliness, traffic noise, and closely spaced sites are recurrent themes.
Review Summaries
Based on 67 reviews

What Campers Love

"Perfect location and clean campgrounds!!" "Sweet spot for camping and swimming." "Quiet campsite near the river." "Access to water."
Based on 67 reviews

Common Concerns

Vault toilet cleanliness varies significantly: "Absolutely disgusting..." vs. "clean and well-kept." Campsites are close together: "Campsites are close together with no privacy." Noise issues:...
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Based on 67 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Make reservations online as the site fills up quickly: "Make reservation online cause it fills up quick." Bring approved food containers due to bear presence. Avoid reliance on cell phone service:...
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Based on 67 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the most frequently reviewed season, with mixed feedback on sanitation and shade. Fire risk in late summer noted in user reviews. "Because of the high fire risk we decided not to build a...
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Based on 67 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The vault toilets were not impeccably clean, but decent enough and never ran out of toilet paper." "Make reservation online cause it fills up quick." "Favorite place to camp especially if you have...
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Based on 67 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 009: "Very nice, very open campsites. Large bear boxes." Site 004: "The fire in site 4 was not level and very full, maybe fix that to mitigate wildfire risk." Site 008: "Have to carry gear from...
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Based on 67 reviews

Accessibility Features

"Favorite place to camp especially if you have physical limitations. There are paths and steps/ramp to water."
Based on 67 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but California regulations apply: "California rules on dogs."
Based on 67 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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