Featured amenities
Available sites
16 total sitesAbout Carlton
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Canoeing
Fishing
Hiking
Hunting
Year-round
Fishing
Hiking
Hunting
Spring
Canoeing
Summer
Canoeing
Fall
Canoeing
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Water Access
- River Access
Rates, Sites & Availability
16 Sites Available
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Site Details
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16 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (63)
What Guests Are Saying
Overall, Carlton campground is praised for its beautiful setting, quiet atmosphere, and direct access to the river, making it a favorite destination for many campers. Although some concerns were raised about full dumpsters, restroom cleanliness, and noise from the nearby highway, most guests found their experiences enjoyable and relaxing. Many expressed a desire to return, highlighting specific campsites for their privacy and river access.
What Guests Are Saying
Overall, Carlton campground is praised for its beautiful setting, quiet atmosphere, and direct access to the river, making it a favorite destination for many campers. Although some concerns were raised about full dumpsters, restroom cleanliness, and noise from the nearby highway, most guests found their experiences enjoyable and relaxing. Many expressed a desire to return, highlighting specific campsites for their privacy and river access.
Review Summary
Jordan L
VerifiedMay 18, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: AREA CARLTON
Beautiful campground and very peaceful on a Sunday night. I'd highly recommend site 17 or 18, both feel more private and have direct river access and shade. Make sure you take screenshots of your reservations before losing cell service, unfortunately day use visitors were in my site when I arrived and I needed to prove my reservation.
Erik S
VerifiedJune 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: AREA CARLTON
I stayed in spot 17 and it’s beautiful there. Plenty of shade and easy access to the river. My only “complaint” is that the fire ring is in pretty bad shape and IMO not in the most ideal spot.
Other than that the site was very relaxing and I’ll reserve it again in the future.
Danielle W
VerifiedJuly 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: AREA CARLTON
What a fantastic find. Quiet, clean, relaxing. The water was perfect and the water access from site 16 is fantastic Beautiful views, checkin and out was no problem at all. Highly recommend and we will be back!
maya s
VerifiedJuly 13, 2026 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: AREA CARLTON
Right next to the highway. Trucks like to honk their horns randomly. Site 10 & 11 are a bit cramped. Bathrooms are nasty
Loved that it was right in the water.
Koorosh G
VerifiedJuly 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: AREA CARLTON
Great experience.
Irene J
VerifiedJuly 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: AREA CARLTON
River access, close to road but not bad at night
Lisa H
VerifiedAugust 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: AREA CARLTON
Beautiful small campground. Access to the river/creek. And very quiet.
Thomas C
VerifiedAugust 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: AREA CARLTON
A great trip! I look forward to next year!
Only one concern. We arrived Aug 9.
We left Aug 14. Dumpsters were mostly full when we arrived. Topped off by Friday and smell was beginning to annoy.
The recycling bins were completely full and we had to place plastic next to bins.
No biggie but a concern.
Thx
Joanna W
VerifiedAugust 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: AREA CARLTON
Nice campground, well maintained, close to the river though also close to the road, with cars going by loudly. The particular campsite we stayed at was a bit too close to the one next to it
Luis G
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: AREA CARLTON
Really nice campground very quiet
Location & Directions for Carlton
Yuba River Ranger District, Nevada City, CA 95959 United States
Elevation: 690 ft
Getting There
From Downieville, travel south on Highway 49 for just over 13 mi. The campground is on the left side of the highway.
From Nevada City, travel north on Highway 49 for just under 30 mi. The campground is on the right side of the highway.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 18, 2026