Connectivity
- VerizonLTESome coverageVerified by 3 campers · Oct 18, 2026
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Dark Day Campground
Tahoe National Forest, California
About this campground
Public access for boating and recreation is limited to 2 developed and 1 undeveloped boat launches: the Cottage Creek Boat Launch ramp at Emerald Cove Marina, the Dark Day Boat Launch ramp, and the undeveloped site at the end of Moran Road.
Activities include wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, boating, water skiing, and other water sports.
Bullards Bar Reservoir is located on the North Yuba River at an elevation of 2000 feet.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 39.429375° N
- Longitude
- 121.107953° W
Know before you arrive
Access, sites & campground features
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Access
- Drive-in
- Boat-in
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Group sitesCommunity report
- Standard campsitesCommunity report
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Showers
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Food storage
- Trash serviceVerify whether the assigned site is pack-in/pack-out
- Picnic table
- Alcohol allowedCommunity report
- Drinking waterCommunity report
- Phone serviceCommunity report
- Pets allowedDogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
- Reservable
For vehicles
- Sanitary dump
- Paved parking
- Paved roads
- Parking
- Big rig friendlyPublished vehicle length up to 45 ft
Official campground guide
Plan with the full campground details
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
Overview
Bullards Bar Reservoir is located on the North Yuba River at an elevation of 2000 feet. It is located approximately 21 miles north of Nevada City, California. It has a maximum surface area of 4,760 acres and a length of over 16 miles and shoreline of more than 60 miles.
Facilities
Public access for boating and recreation is limited to 2 developed and 1 undeveloped boat launches: the Cottage Creek Boat Launch ramp at Emerald Cove Marina, the Dark Day Boat Launch ramp, and the undeveloped site at the end of Moran Road. The area includes 5 campgrounds, 2 picnic areas, 2 boat launch ramps, 1 marina, 1 overlook, 1 day use area and several developed hiking trails.
Recreation
Activities include wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, boating, water skiing, and other water sports. Swimming opportunities are limited because of the steep slopes; however boaters will find numerous opportunities for swimming in various locations around the reservoir. The reservoir provides yearlong fishing opportunities for both warm and cold water fish species. Supplies are available at the marina as well as the nearby communities of Camptonville, North San Juan, and Dobbins.
Natural Features
The sides of the reservoir are generally steep and public access for boating and recreation is limited. The reservoir is surrounded by both conifer and hardwood forests with numerous brush spieces. There is plenty of shade at the campsites
Nearby Attractions
There is a beautiful non- motorized trail system in the area, with 5 different trails to choose from. Bullards Bar Trailhead is 14 miles, 7 Ball Trial is 1 mile, 8 Ball Trail is 3.8 miles, Rebel Ridge Trail is 1.6 miles and Schoolhouse Trail is 0.7 miles. Maps are available at the North Yuba Ranger Station just a couple miles east of the reservoir on Marysville Road.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Day Use Area
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Ranger Station
- Swimming
- Water Access
- Water Activities
- Water Sports
- Water Skiing
- Wildlife Viewing
Amenities and facility features
- Flush toilets
- Showers
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Wildlife-resistant food storage
- Trash serviceVerify whether the assigned site is pack-in/pack-out
- Dump station
- Campfire Rings
- Cell Phone Service
- Day Use Area
- Food Storage Locker
- Paved Parking
- Paved Roads
- Recycling
- Shade
- Tables
- Trailhead Parking
- Trailheads
- Trash Collection
- Vault Toilets
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Tent Only Non-Electric
10 sites- Equipment
- Boat, Car, Caravan/Camper Van, Fifth Wheel, Large Tent Over 9x12`, Pickup Camper, Pop Up, RV, Small Tent, Tent, Trailer, Vehicle
- Maximum people
- 18
- Maximum vehicle length
- 45 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Site rules, inventory & rates
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Site rules
- Max Stay
- 14 nights
- Reservation cutoff
- 3 Not Reservable
- Maximum published occupancy
- 18 people per site
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Food storage
- Dark Day Campground's official facility record checked 2026-10-16 does not publish a food-storage method; confirm the posted rule with Tahoe National Forest.
- Fire and stove use
- The current official campground record does not publish a campground-specific fire or stove rule. Check current posted restrictions before using any flame.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
Inventory window
Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.
- Currently bookable through
- Apr 18, 2027
- Next release
- Oct 19, 2026, 7:00 AM PDT
- Next book-through date
- Apr 19, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Oct 15, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonApr 15, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $48 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 15, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $24 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 15, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 15, 2027 – Oct 15, 2027 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $48 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 15, 2027 – Oct 15, 2027 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $24 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 15, 2027 – Oct 15, 2027 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 15, 2028 – Oct 15, 2028 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $48 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 15, 2028 – Oct 15, 2028 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $24 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 15, 2028 – Oct 15, 2028 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- The facility opens April 15 and closes October 15 each year.
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
- Utility hookups and showers are not available
- Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers
- food lockers are about 4' wide by 2' deep by 4' high
- There is no dump station at this facility
- We have added orange cones at the parking area for each site to keep your parking site from being used by a "day use vehicle by someone else". When you arrive, just move the cone and park and place the cone in front of your vehicle.
- 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.
Getting there & contact
Official directions
From Nevada City, travel north on Higway 49 for approximately 20 miles to Maryville Road , turn left onto Maryville Road and travel west approximatley 3 miles to the Dark Day Campground.
Facility contact
530-478-6253