Fiddle Creek
Fiddle Creek
Swimming Hole, Fiddle Creek
Fiddle Creek
CAL-IDA

About Cal-ida

Cal-Ida Campground is located on Highway 49, across the road from the North Yuba River and 13 mi from Downieville. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, fishing, biking and enjoying the cool waters of the North Yuba River.  This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.

Available sites

10 total sites

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 - Oct 16 to Oct 31

Campground Amenities

Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

10 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 002, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 003, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 004, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 005, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 006, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 007, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 008, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 009, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 010, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 012, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site

Reviews (52)

What Guests Are Saying

Cal-ida offers a beautiful and peaceful camping experience with clean facilities and friendly staff. Campers appreciated the tidy bathrooms and convenient access to the Yuba River and nearby trails. However, some noted issues with noise from neighboring campers and occasional mosquito problems, as well as a lack of water availability at times.

Review Summary

3.5
52 reviews
5
36.5%
19
4
26.9%
14
3
5.8%
3
2
15.4%
8
1
15.4%
8

Leyanne A

Verified

June 19, 2023 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA

1

Bathroom was shutdown, water spigot not working so we had to go to the far end of the campgrounds to use that sides. One of the vault toilets over there was filled to the brim! 🤮 No dumpsters for garbage so people were literally leaving it by the recycle bins, which animals got into at night. No rangers came by except the last day- and literally did nothing but check the fee box, which was taped shut, so that was pointless. Names on sites weren’t for the right dates, as well many many people came looking for sites they rented that no longer exist!! I don’t understand how you charge people for any of that. Our fire ring was ripped up from another site and carelessly tossed into ours- no dug out spot, still had concrete attached to it that wasn’t buried so the ring did not sit properly in the ground. Asking for a fire to start that way! Never seen this place so terribly taken care of and I’ve been going here for 3 decades!!!

Leyanne A

Verified

June 19, 2023 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA

1

Bathroom was shutdown, water spigot not working so we had to go to the far end of the campgrounds to use that sides. One of the vault toilets over there was filled to the brim! 🤮 No dumpsters for garbage so people were literally leaving it by the recycle bins, which animals got into at night. No rangers came by except the last day- and literally did nothing but check the fee box, which was taped shut, so that was pointless. Names on sites weren’t for the right dates, as well many many people came looking for sites they rented that no longer exist!! I don’t understand how you charge people for any of that. Our fire ring was ripped up from another site and carelessly tossed into ours- no dug out spot, still had concrete attached to it that wasn’t buried so the ring did not sit properly in the ground. Asking for a fire to start that way! Never seen this place so terribly taken care of and I’ve been going here for 3 decades!!!

Patricia H

Verified

August 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA

3

My review of Cal-Ida. Ok site, restrooms were clean, water was good. Problem was no one came by to check on sites. Neighboring tent site had 4 cars and at least 20 people. Site was to be 2 cars, maximum of 6 people. They were loud. Not acceptable for some to follow the rules and others don’t give a dam.

Patricia H

Verified

August 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA

3

My review of Cal-Ida. Ok site, restrooms were clean, water was good. Problem was no one came by to check on sites. Neighboring tent site had 4 cars and at least 20 people. Site was to be 2 cars, maximum of 6 people. They were loud. Not acceptable for some to follow the rules and others don’t give a dam.

Tiffany P

Verified

June 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA

5

I liked our spot 12 was wonderful

Tiffany P

Verified

June 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA

5

I liked our spot 12 was wonderful

Javier J

Verified

July 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA

2

The campground was great — the location is beautiful and not too crowded. The staff were very friendly, and the bathrooms were exceptionally clean. They came every day to clean and take out the garbage, which we really appreciated.

Unfortunately, we had neighbors next door who played loud music on a speaker until midnight and weren't very cooperative when we asked them to turn it down. It would be nice if there were a bit more control or enforcement around quiet hours.

Javier J

Verified

July 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA

2

The campground was great — the location is beautiful and not too crowded. The staff were very friendly, and the bathrooms were exceptionally clean. They came every day to clean and take out the garbage, which we really appreciated.

Unfortunately, we had neighbors next door who played loud music on a speaker until midnight and weren't very cooperative when we asked them to turn it down. It would be nice if there were a bit more control or enforcement around quiet hours.

Keith C

Verified

July 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA

5

Great campsite with great shade. Not all of them had good tree cover but ours did and it was 90s during the day so we got lucky. Overall, this is a really clean campground with no trash. Easy to get in and out. We used it to stage for dirt biking and the trails in the area are top notch. We also got lucky that the neighboring sites were all really quiet. Made it enjoyable to spend time in the woods without anyone blasting music until 2am. The Yuba River is right across the highway and a great spot to cool off and relax. No showers and 2 vault toilets. They also had large dumpsters to dump trash which was nice not having to carry it out. We will certainly be back again next year.

Keith C

Verified

July 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: AREA CAL-IDA

5

Great campsite with great shade. Not all of them had good tree cover but ours did and it was 90s during the day so we got lucky. Overall, this is a really clean campground with no trash. Easy to get in and out. We used it to stage for dirt biking and the trails in the area are top notch. We also got lucky that the neighboring sites were all really quiet. Made it enjoyable to spend time in the woods without anyone blasting music until 2am. The Yuba River is right across the highway and a great spot to cool off and relax. No showers and 2 vault toilets. They also had large dumpsters to dump trash which was nice not having to carry it out. We will certainly be back again next year.

Location & Directions for Cal-ida

Yuba River Ranger Station, Nevada City, CA 95959 United States

Elevation: 700 ft

Getting There

From Downieville, travel south on Highway 49 for about 13 mi. The campground is on the right side of the highway.

From Nevada City, travel north on Highway 49 for about 31 mi. The campground is on the left side of the highway.

Nearest town

Nevada City, CA - 31 mi

About 44 min to downtown

Highway access

The campground is accessible from Highway 49, which is approximately 13 miles south of Downieville and 31 miles north of Nevada City.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 24, 2026

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Explore Nevada City, CA

Population: 3,172

Nearby city: Yuba City, CA

Approx. 42 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 2,513 ft

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