Big Bend Group (Yuba River)

Show on map530-478-6253
YUBA RIVER RANGER STATION, THIS IS THE ADDRESS OF THE RANGER STATION, NOT THE CAMPGROUND, 631 Coyote Street
Nevada City, CA 95959

Overview

Big Bend Group Campground is located 19 miles west of Truckee, California in the Tahoe National Forest at an elevation of 5,700 feet. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing and hiking opportunities, as well as its historic significance along the California Emigrant Trail.  This campground is operated and maintained by Forest Service staff.

Recreation

The South Yuba River offers swimming and rainbow trout fishing. The historic California Emigrant Trail and Loch Leven Trail are located nearby. The surrounding area offers many additional hiking, biking and off-road vehicle trails.

Facilities

The campground offers two accessible group sites, Lincoln and Victory, which can accommodate up to 25 people and five vehicles each. Picnic tables, grills and large campfire rings are provided, as well as vault toilets and drinking water.

Natural Features

The campground lies along the gentle South Yuba River; just behind and across the river from the Big Bend Fire Station. Stands of pine and fir covers the area, offering pleasant shade at the group sites.

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (530) 265-4531.

Nearby Attractions

Donner Lake is located 15 miles east via historic Route 40/Lincoln Highway, the nation's first transcontinental highway. Many points of interest lie along Route 40, including China Wall, Rainbow Bridge, Sugar Bowl, Lake Van Norden and Ice Lakes.

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.

Camp site features

Across 2 camp sites:

  • Pets allowed: all 2 sites
  • Group sites: all 2 sites
  • Longest RV: 22 ft
  • Largest party: 25 people
  • Equipment: CAR, RV, Tent, Trailer

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest dump station: 4.5 mi

Nearest water fill: 13.6 mi

Directions

From Truckee, take I-80 19 miles west to the Rainbow Road Exit. Travel west about 1.5 miles to the Big Bend Ranger Station and Visitor Center. Turn right past the Visitor Center and cross bridge. The campground is on the right. Victory is the first campsite and Lincoln is the second one at the end. From Nevada City, take Highway 20 east for about 26 miles. Travel east on I-80 for 4.5 miles. Take exit 166 for Big Bend, travel about a 1/4 mile on Hampshire Rocks Rd. Turn left before Fire Station and cross the bridge. The campground is on the right. Victory is the first campsite and Lincoln is the second one at the end.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

10 reviews
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Angels E
Loop:Area Big Bend Group (Yuba River)
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
The campsite is beautiful, big, private, river access, well maintained. It’s below the highway and lots of road noise day a night. No bear boxes, we left food in the car.
Ubaldo P
Loop:Big Bend Group (Yuba River)
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Really good area. The highway wasn't much of a distraction for our group. It honestly sounds like beach waves crashing at night.
Marlone T
Loop:Area Big Bend Group (Yuba River)
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Excellent spot for a large group. But prepare, there are no showers or sinks.
Reza L
Loop:Area Big Bend Group (Yuba River)
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
Everything was good. Enough area for 25 people and cozy spot and clean. Just need earplugs for night time to sleep because of high way sound. Beautiful location.
May P
Loop:Big Bend Group (Yuba River)
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
The place is crazy noisy and loud because it locates under the road which vehicles pass by 24/7. The view is not bad, seems secure, next to the fire fighting station, and available reception. Anyway, I would not recommend this because you’ll get extremely disappointed with the noise and it doesn’t feel like what it should be as a safe and sound and peaceful camping trip. I booked it lately so this was one of the least options I could figure out..
Debra R
Loop:Area Big Bend Group (Yuba River)
Site:
Reviewed 2 years ago
Beautiful place as always!!!
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve
Popularity: Very busy

Busiest in November, when about 100% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 1 years of reservations.

Season dates

Peak season

Jun 19, 2027 – Oct 18, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

Jun 19, 2028 – Oct 18, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

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