USDA Forest Service · California

Union Flat

USDA Forest Service · California, United States

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Sites
11
Hookups
10 no hookups
Season
April 16 to October 15
Max RV length
30 ft
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Showers
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
3,422 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
UNION FLAT CG (11 CAMPSITES) (NFSR 0049-047) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
Lake
Tahoe National Forest
Nearest town
Nevada City
Address
YUBA RIVER RANGER STATION, Nevada City, CA, 95959
Phone
(530)478-6253
Activities
Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hunting, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Scenic Drive, Swimming Site, Water Access, Water Activities

11 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

Union Flat Campground is located on the North Yuba River, near Highway 49. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing and gold panning.

Recreation

The North Yuba River offers swimming, wading and rainbow trout fishing. Seasonal rafting, tubing and kayaking is available.

Facilities

The campground offers several single-family campsites and one double site. Some sites are designated for tent camping only. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided.

Natural Features

The campground stretches along the north bank of the North Yuba River. A tumbled rock wall from early gold dredging activity separates campsites from the river. A forest of pine, fir, maple and oak trees covers the area, offering shade in many sites.

Contact Info

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

Nearby Attractions

Union Flat Campground is located on the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway (Highway 49) near many gold rush era historical sites and old mining towns such as Goodyears Bar, Sierra City, and Downieville. 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 14 miles east of the campground. Sardine Lakes Resort offers boat rentals, lodging, and a restaurant. On the water, visitors enjoy boating and fishing. 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 east of Sierra City and in the Gold Lakes Basin area. The historic towns of Sierra City and Downieville 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.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January49°35°14°65°10 of 11
February50°34°19°65°9 of 11
March51°35°18°83°7 of 11
April56°37°21°73°7 of 11
May71°47°31°85°1 of 11
June82°55°40°100°0 of 11
July92°62°52°103°0 of 11
August92°64°57°103°0 of 11
September83°57°46°93°0 of 11
October74°48°36°86°0 of 10
November59°40°24°76°4 of 10
December49°35°18°69°8 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.