Yuba Pass Campground

Star4.00
11 reviews
Yuba Pass Campground, Highway 49

Quick Facts

6,703 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open season: May 22 ...

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
Yuba Pass Campground
$24.00 - $24.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Nonelectric sites cost $24 per night during peak and first-come-first-served seasons. Other fees may apply, including $5 for additional...
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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
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What Campers Say

4.00

Satisfactory

Based on 11 reviews

12 Google reviews

Most mentioned

shadesites

"The Yuba Pass Campground has received mixed reviews. While many appreciate the natural beauty, including old-growth red fir trees and general tranquility, some expressed dissatisfaction with the recent clear-cutting of trees due to disease. Proximity to attractions is viewed as limited."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Yuba Pass Campground, Highway 49

Yuba Pass Campground

Yuba Pass Campground, Highway 49

Driving directionsFrom 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. From Sierra City, travel north (east) on Highway 49 for about 12 miles. Turn right at the entrance to the snow park and continue about a quarter-mile to the campground entrance on the right side of the road.
Highway 49 provides paved access directly to Yuba Pass Campground. Seasonal closures or adverse weather conditions may affect accessibility.
Nearby places
Sierraville - 11 miles (approximately 15 minutes)
Sierra City - 12 miles (approximately 18 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Supplies, groceries, and other essentials available in Sierra City (12 miles) and Sierraville (11 miles). Sardine Lakes Resort also offers boat rentals, potentially serving as a limited supply area.

Best Time to Camp at Yuba Pass Campground

Summer days at Yuba Pass are nothing short of perfect, with comfortable temperatures hovering around 70°F that invite endless outdoor exploration. As evening falls, temperatures dip to a refreshing 40°F, creating ideal conditions for campfire gatherings and stargazing. The camping season offers reliably dry weather, though winter transforms this mountain paradise into a snow-laden wonderland that blankets the landscape in pristine white.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer days ~70°F and cool nights (~40°F) ideal for outdoor activities; campground open in summer.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Aspen groves and open season through Oct 19 support attractive fall colors and hiking.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Late-spring opening (May 22) limits early-spring access; pleasant conditions later in season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed in winter (open May 22–Oct 19).

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 22 - September 27 (Peak Season).. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open season: May 22 to October 19 (reservable: May 22 - September 27; first-come-first-served: September 28 - October 19).
  • Current Alerts: Campground closed for reconstruction due to clear-cutting of old-growth trees. Estimated reopening in approximately two years (as of 2023-08-14).

About Yuba Pass Campground

Perched high atop the scenic Yuba Pass along Highway 49, Yuba Pass Campground offers a serene mountain retreat where towering red firs whisper ancient stories and the North Yuba River sparkles below. This Tahoe National Forest gem invites outdoor enthusiasts to discover a world of adventure, from early morning birdwatching expeditions to afternoon fishing trips and sunset hikes through pristine wilderness trails.
Yuba Pass Campground offers single-family campsites that cater to tent and RV campers. The sites are standard and do not include utility hookups.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in time policy unspecified.
Check-out
Check-out policy unspecified.
Stay Limit
  • 14 nights consecutive stay allowed per visit
  • 14 nights total per year.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Camping at Yuba Pass Campground offers an array of outdoor activities, including birding, hiking, biking, hunting, and fishing. The area is particularly noted for its excellent bird-watching opportunities, with species such as sandhill cranes, bald eagles, and calliope hummingbirds often observed. The campground is also a good base for accessing the Pacific Crest Trail and other trails in the Lakes Basin area.
Hiking"A large network of trails is available in the area, including the Pacific Crest Trail in the Lakes Basin area." Trails vary in difficulty and include over 30 miles of maintained paths for hiking, mountain biking, and motorcycle singletrack.
FishingFishing opportunities are abundant nearby, with rainbow and brook trout present in the various lakes, streams, and rivers throughout the basin.
SwimmingSwimming is available at Sardine Lakes, located about nine miles west of the campground.
BikingThe area boasts over 30 miles of maintained trails accommodating mountain biking enthusiasts.
BoatingNearby Sardine Lakes offer boating opportunities and boat rentals are available at the Sardine Lakes Resort.
Wildlife viewingWildlife is plentiful in the area with many bird species, including calliope hummingbirds and bald eagles, and animals such as mountain quail and northern pygmy-owls.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBear activity requires proper food storage. Potential for falling trees due to disease or aging, as noted in reviews.
Active AlertsCampground closed for reconstruction due to clear-cutting of old-growth trees. Estimated reopening in approximately two years (as of 2023-08-14).

Weather at Yuba Pass Campground

Reviews

4.0
11 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Yuba Pass Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
The Yuba Pass Campground has received mixed reviews. While many appreciate the natural beauty, including old-growth red fir trees and general tranquility, some expressed dissatisfaction with the recent clear-cutting of trees due to disease. Proximity to attractions is viewed as limited.
Review Summaries
Based on 11 reviews

What Campers Love

"Great camp ground." Others praise the scenic beauty of the old-growth red fir trees and the shaded campsites.
Based on 11 reviews

Common Concerns

"Campsites are ok but it's not really near anything." Another user mentioned the clear-cutting of diseased trees, which has significantly altered the campground's appearance.
Based on 11 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Future campers should inquire about the status of the campground's rebuilding efforts due to the recent clear-cutting.
Based on 11 reviews

Seasonal Insights

No specific seasonal trends in reviews noted.
Based on 11 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This campground was beautiful with amazing old-growth red fir trees and campsites nestled amongst the groves." "Campsites are ok but it's not really near anything." "Great camp ground."
Based on 11 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No site-specific reviews mentioning the best or worst campsites were found.
Based on 11 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically addressed accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Based on 11 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews specifically addressed pet-related policies or experiences.
Based on 11 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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