OutReserve

Dark Day Campground

Bullards Bar Reservoir
Bullards Bar
Bullards Bar Dam

About Dark Day Campground

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.

Number of accommodations: 10

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 15 to Oct 15

Sites & Availability

10 Sites Available

Site
Price
10, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$72.00
/ per night
🚐 1D, Loop: A
No Hookups
$72.00
/ per night
🚐 2D, Loop: A
No Hookups
$72.00
/ per night
🚐 3D, Loop: A
No Hookups
$72.00
/ per night
🚐 4T, Loop: A
No Hookups
$72.00
/ per night
5, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$72.00
/ per night
6, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$72.00
/ per night
7, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$72.00
/ per night
8, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$72.00
/ per night
9, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$72.00
/ per night

Reviews (38)

What Guests Are Saying

Dark Day Campground is a beautiful site surrounded by trees, offering great swimming opportunities. However, it requires a downhill hike from parking to the campsites, and amenities like vault toilets need improvement. Visitors noted issues with noise from large groups and broken facilities, but many expressed a desire to return for a quieter experience.

Review Summary

3.5
38 reviews
5
34.2%
13
4
23.7%
9
3
10.5%
4
2
18.4%
7
1
13.2%
5

Shina B

Verified

June 27, 2021 Stayed at: 2D, Loop: A

5

The campsite itself is amazing. We go every year usually we get campsite 3-D but this year we had to settle for 2D. We absolutely love coming here it’s absolutely beautiful. This year was a little more frustrating because our neighbors in 1d were loud and inconsiderate. But we will always come back here

Mary Jo R

Verified

June 25, 2021 Stayed at: 6, Loop: A

2

The bathroom next to our campsite 6A was horribly dirty and stinky. The bathrooms by the boat ramp were clean and did not stink. Such a huge difference between the two. Why such a huge difference? It stunk all the way to our campsite.
The camp site was nice and we left it cleaner than it was when we got there. Parking was nice as well.
The trail to the lake was not safe, very sandy and I slipped while walking to the lake. The trails should be made safer. I thought that I broke my hip and still have very dark bruises. If one wants to go to the lake, I recommend driving to the boat ramp parking instead of taking trails, unless you are prepared to take a precarious walk.

Steven B

Verified

June 24, 2021 Stayed at: 9, Loop: A

3

The water is beautiful, the campsites are nice but not level, the restrooms are pretty rough and there isn’t any cell service

Antonio V

Verified

June 22, 2021 Stayed at: 1D, Loop: A

5

Had a great time .

Ahmaduddin Y

Verified

June 8, 2021 Stayed at: 4T, Loop: A

5

Everything was great

Judy L

Verified

June 7, 2021 Stayed at: 6, Loop: A

2

Stayed in site 6A 6/4 - 6/6. We didn't like the fact that you had to park, unload and drag all of your gear down to your site. Thankfully 6A wasn't too far from the parking spot. I recommend bringing a wagon to tote your gear. There is a fire ring and a bear locker at each site. Vaulted toilets and a water spigot were available. The rangers came down every day to wipe the toilets down. Lots of mosquitos and yellow jackets.
Unfortunately for us, there seem to be a group of friends who stayed at the near by sites who partied with loud music very late into the early mornings until the sheriff or rangers finally came down and had them stop the music. Their dog also barked while they yelled at him the entire time. I'm all for having fun, but when it's past a certain time keep the music to your group.
The walk to the water was long. You have to walk down to the boat launch area. No real beach area. You just find a spot and hang out. The water was nice though. If we do come back it would be for the water.

Kristina S

Verified

August 6, 2020 Stayed at: 10, Loop: A

3

We have young kids so this review may not apply to you! Our campsite was 10 a. Gorgeous view of the lake! Campers were walking by a lot as it's at the end near the trails to the water. There isn't easy access to the water as it's steep. We didn't attempt as it would have been too deep for our toddlers anyway but people were getting in there somewhere. Nowhere really to set up a lakeside picnic so we went to the day use area which was very close, but again not the easiest to get in/swim with super young kids so ask about a beach area before you go! It is end of summer now so maybe early summer it's completely different with more water? We were lucky to find a flat area in a cove to set up sun shade/toys. Added to the adventure for sure! Vault toilets near the parking to the campsites. 10a is at the end so you will have to walk everything back and forth. Boating lakes seem to have party campgrounds haha. Nothing too crazy but it was loud and there was garbage everywhere even in the fire ring (even plastic ugh). I'm sure it's been a busy summer it's just disappointing. Anyway we'll be back for day trips to swim in the beautiful warm water but can't say we'd come back to dark day to camp unless we ever get a boat!

Anonymous

5
Google Maps

Location Dark Day Campground

Address:
3 Miles West Of The Yuba River Ranger Station On Marysville Road
Camptonville, CA, 95922
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 39.4294 / -121.108

Elevation: 596 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

The facility opens April 15 and closes October 15 each year.

General

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.

General

Utility hookups and showers are not available

General

Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers

General

food lockers are about 4' wide by 2' deep by 4' high

General

There is no dump station at this facility

General

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.  

General

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.

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