Connectivity
No community carrier report is currently published for this campground.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Indian Valley
Tahoe National Forest, California
About this campground
Indian Valley Campground is located on the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway (Highway 49) near many gold rush era historical sites and old mining towns such as Camptonville, Goodyears Bar, and Downieville.
Indian Valley Campground is located alongside the North Yuba River just off Highway 49, about 11 miles west of Downieville.
Other attractions include the North Yuba River, Indian Valley Outpost, New Bullards Bar Reservoir, Downieville, and a network of miles of motorcycle singletrack.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 39.513678° N
- Longitude
- 120.983507° 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
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Standard campsites
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- Picnic table
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Trash 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
- Paved parking
- Paved roads
- Big rig friendlyPublished vehicle length up to 40 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
Indian Valley Campground is located alongside the North Yuba River just off Highway 49, about 11 miles west of Downieville. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, white water boating, and gold panning. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
Facilities
The campground offers both single and double family campsites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.
Recreation
The North Yuba River offers swimming, wading, and rainbow trout fishing. Seasonal rafting, kayaking and tubing are also popular water activities.
A network of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and motorcycle singeltrack criss-crosses the surrounding area including the Yuba River, Halls Ranch, and Butcher Ranch trails and the Downieville Downhill.
Natural Features
The campground sits on the north bank of the North Yuba River. Tumbled rock piles from early gold dredging activity are scattered around the campground. A forest of oak, fir, pine and madrone trees provides ample shade. Many sites have views of the river.
Nearby Attractions
Indian Valley Campground is located on the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway (Highway 49) near many gold rush era historical sites and old mining towns such as Camptonville, Goodyears Bar, 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. Other attractions include the North Yuba River, Indian Valley Outpost, New Bullards Bar Reservoir, Downieville, and a network of miles of motorcycle singletrack.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Swimming
- Tubing
- Fishing
- Camping
- Rafting
- Mountain Biking
- Scenic Drive
- Auto Touring
- Biking
- Cultural Activities
Amenities and facility features
- Vault or pit toilets
- Potable water
- Picnic tables
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Campfire Rings
- Drinking Water
- Paved Parking
- Paved Roads
- River Access
- Self Pay Station
- Shade
- Vault Toilets
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
16 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- Car, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 12
- Maximum vehicles
- 4
- Maximum vehicle length
- 40 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Management
1 site- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- Car, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 30 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
- 4 days before arrival
- Maximum published occupancy
- 12 people per site
- Maximum published vehicles
- 4 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Food storage
- Indian Valley'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
- Indian Valley's official facility record states: Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring.
- 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 18, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonApr 16, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $24 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 16, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $48 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonOct 16, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $24 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonOct 16, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $48 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 15, 2027 – Oct 15, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $24 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 15, 2027 – Oct 15, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $48 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonOct 16, 2027 – Oct 31, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $24 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonOct 16, 2027 – Oct 31, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $48 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 15, 2028 – Oct 15, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $24 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 15, 2028 – Oct 15, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $48 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonOct 16, 2028 – Oct 31, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $24 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonOct 16, 2028 – Oct 31, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $48 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- One vehicle (or two motorcycles) included with reservation. Additional vehicle fee cost is $5/each per night for all untowed vehicles. Please pay extra vehicle fee at the self-serve fee tube located near campground entrance.
- Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers
- Click here for more information on the Tahoe National Forest
- 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 or 478-6253 (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.
- Flatten the Curve Maintaining social distance of 6ft or more when walking, hiking, jogging or biking. • Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people. • Do not gather in groups. • Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings. Remember to bring soap & hand sanitizer. • Clean your hands often. • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry. STAY HOME IF YOU’RE SICK. Wear a cloth face covering in public. Cover coughs and sneezes. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Before traveling please check for local advisories: http://www.sierracounty.ca.gov/ For more information on Corona Virus visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- 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 Downieville, take Highway 49 south for about 11 miles. The campground is on the left side of the highway. From Nevada City, take Highway 49 north for just over 30 miles. The campground is on the right side of the highway.
Facility contact
(530)478-6253