Garden Point Boat-in Campground

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 (aprox. 3 miles from campground by boat), the Dark Day Boat Launch ramp (aprox. 1 mile from campground by boat), 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

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Latitude: 39.433331° N
Longitude: 121.124167° W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile5GGood coverageVerified by 2 campers · Oct 18, 2026
Verizon5GExcellent coverageVerified by 0 campers
AT&T5GGood coverageVerified by 0 campers

Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.

Access

Boat-in

Site types

The available sources do not publish a campsite type.

Features

For campers

Showers
Picnic table
FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
Vault toilets
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

No vehicle features are separately published.

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

This is a boat-in campground. You can not drive to this campground. You must launch a boat a Dark Day boat launch and boat to the 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 (aprox. 3 miles from campground by boat), the Dark Day Boat Launch ramp (aprox. 1 mile from campground by boat), 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

This is a boat-in campground. You can not drive to this campground. You must launch a boat a Dark Day boat launch and boat to the campground. 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

This is a boat-in campground. You can not drive to this campground. You must launch a boat a Dark Day boat launch and boat to the campground. 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 species. 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

Boating
Canoeing
Camping
Fishing
Motor Boat
Paddling
Swimming
Water Access
Water Skiing
Water Activities
Water Sports

Amenities and facility features

Showers
Picnic tables
Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
Pets allowedFollow the exact facility restrictions
Beach Access
Campfire Rings
Cell Phone Service
Shade
Tables
Tent Pads

Recreation sites

Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.

Boat In

16 sites

Equipment: Boat
Maximum people: 12
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: 12 people per site
Check-in: 2:00 PM
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Food storage: Garden Point Boat-in 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: Garden Point Boat-in Campground's official facility record states: There is plenty of shade at the campsites Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.
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	Boat In	$48	—	—
Peak SeasonApr 15, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026	Boat In	$24	—	—
Peak SeasonApr 15, 2027 – Oct 15, 2027	Boat In	$48	—	—
Peak SeasonApr 15, 2027 – Oct 15, 2027	Boat In	$24	—	—
Peak SeasonApr 15, 2028 – Oct 15, 2028	Boat In	$48	—	—
Peak SeasonApr 15, 2028 – Oct 15, 2028	Boat In	$24	—	—

Important facility notices

Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.

Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the Yuba River Ranger District (530) 288-3231(voice), (530) 288-3656 (TDD). 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.
This is a boat-in campground. You can not drive to this campground. You must launch a boat a Dark Day boat launch and boat to the campground. Do not follow in driving instructions to this campground. There is no road access. Utility hookups and showers are not available.
There is no water at the facility
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

This is a boat-in campground. You can not drive to this campground. You must launch a boat a Dark Day boat launch and boat to the campground. From Nevada City, California, travel approximatley 20 miles north on Highway 49 to Marysville Road. Turn left onto Marysville Road and travel approximatley 3 miles to the Dark Day Boat Launch ramp and launch from the ramp. Or travel approximatley 7 miles to Emerald Cove Marina and launch from the launch and ramp there.

Facility contact

530-478-6253

Sources

Recreation.gov official facility record — Garden Point Boat-in Campground USDA Forest Service — responsible pet practices Recreation.gov official facility record — Garden Point Boat-in Campground Garden Point Boat-in Campground official facility details Recreation.gov official facility record — Garden Point Boat-in Campground — food-storage guidance The Dyrt community reports — Garden Point Boat-in Campground Recreation.gov campground details API Recreation.gov published seasons and rates Recreation.gov booking-window release data Recreation.gov recreation-site inventory