OutReserve

Indian Springs

South Yuba River
Indian Springs Entrance
South Yuba River
South fork of Yuba River
South Yuba River

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly
River Access

About Indian Springs

Indian Springs Campground is located in the Tahoe National Forest along Interstate 80 the South Yuba River. It is about three miles west of Big Bend and 23 miles west of Truckee. Visitors enjoy the area for its swimming, fishing, and trail opportunities, as well as its historic significance along the California Emigrant Trail.

Number of accommodations: 31

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Fishing

Hiking

Swimming

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 closed - Opens on Jun 15

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly
River Access
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Water Access

Water Access

  • River Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

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

31 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 02, Loop: LOWER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 03, Loop: LOWER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 04, Loop: LOWER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 05, Loop: LOWER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 06, Loop: LOWER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 07, Loop: LOWER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 08, Loop: LOWER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 09, Loop: LOWER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 10, Loop: LOWER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 11, Loop: LOWER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 12, Loop: LOWER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 14, Loop: LOWER
No Hookups
Price not available
15, Loop: UPPER
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 16, Loop: UPPER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 17, Loop: UPPER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 18, Loop: UPPER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 19, Loop: UPPER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 20, Loop: UPPER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 21, Loop: UPPER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 22, Loop: UPPER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 23, Loop: UPPER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 24, Loop: UPPER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 25, Loop: UPPER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 26, Loop: UPPER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 27, Loop: UPPER
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 28, Loop: UPPER
No Hookups
Price not available
29, Loop: UPPER
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
32, Loop: UPPER
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
33, Loop: UPPER
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
34, Loop: UPPER
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
35, Loop: UPPER
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available

Reviews (178)

What Guests Are Saying

Indian Springs offers large campsites, a cool swimming hole, and clean facilities, making it a great spot for families and pets. Many visitors appreciate the ample space between sites and the presence of friendly camp hosts. However, highway and train noise can be significant, particularly at certain sites, which may affect the overall experience for some campers.

Review Summary

3.3
178 reviews
5
19.1%
34
4
37.1%
66
3
10.1%
18
2
23.6%
42
1
10.1%
18

Gina G

Verified

August 23, 2020 Stayed at: 04, Loop: LOWER

3

The campground is lovely and our site was right along the water. The noise from the freeway was very intense, though, and there was a huge group from a fraternity at the site next to us who were very, very loud till 1:30 am both nights and completely trashed the bathrooms. During COVID-19 it was strange to have such a large group (at least 20 people) not practicing social distancing (no masks, etc) at all. No one was on site to check for large groups or to enforce the 10 pm quiet rule.

Gina G

Verified

August 23, 2020 Stayed at: 04, Loop: LOWER

3

The campground is lovely and our site was right along the water. The noise from the freeway was very intense, though, and there was a huge group from a fraternity at the site next to us who were very, very loud till 1:30 am both nights and completely trashed the bathrooms. During COVID-19 it was strange to have such a large group (at least 20 people) not practicing social distancing (no masks, etc) at all. No one was on site to check for large groups or to enforce the 10 pm quiet rule.

Gina G

Verified

August 23, 2020 Stayed at: 04, Loop: LOWER

3

The campground is lovely and our site was right along the water. The noise from the freeway was very intense, though, and there was a huge group from a fraternity at the site next to us who were very, very loud till 1:30 am both nights and completely trashed the bathrooms. During COVID-19 it was strange to have such a large group (at least 20 people) not practicing social distancing (no masks, etc) at all. No one was on site to check for large groups or to enforce the 10 pm quiet rule.

Michael S

Verified

August 21, 2020 Stayed at: 19, Loop: UPPER

2

Way too close to the freeway - it was loud enough that we sometimes had to ask each other to repeat what we said, and we had headlights from cars on the freeway shining on our tent throughout the night. We also got unfortunate enough to end up downwind of the vault toilets, and moved our tent to try to avoid that but ended up under a tree with aphids, so we woke up to droplets of honeydew (sap processed by aphids) stuck to our tent. The South Yuba River is also really close to the freeway here so it's not very pleasant to go sit by due to the noise. That said, it's easy to find, the area is pretty, and there's decent AT&T cell service if you need/want it, but the freeway proximity was a disappointment for us.

Michael S

Verified

August 21, 2020 Stayed at: 19, Loop: UPPER

2

Way too close to the freeway - it was loud enough that we sometimes had to ask each other to repeat what we said, and we had headlights from cars on the freeway shining on our tent throughout the night. We also got unfortunate enough to end up downwind of the vault toilets, and moved our tent to try to avoid that but ended up under a tree with aphids, so we woke up to droplets of honeydew (sap processed by aphids) stuck to our tent. The South Yuba River is also really close to the freeway here so it's not very pleasant to go sit by due to the noise. That said, it's easy to find, the area is pretty, and there's decent AT&T cell service if you need/want it, but the freeway proximity was a disappointment for us.

Michael S

Verified

August 21, 2020 Stayed at: 19, Loop: UPPER

2

Way too close to the freeway - it was loud enough that we sometimes had to ask each other to repeat what we said, and we had headlights from cars on the freeway shining on our tent throughout the night. We also got unfortunate enough to end up downwind of the vault toilets, and moved our tent to try to avoid that but ended up under a tree with aphids, so we woke up to droplets of honeydew (sap processed by aphids) stuck to our tent. The South Yuba River is also really close to the freeway here so it's not very pleasant to go sit by due to the noise. That said, it's easy to find, the area is pretty, and there's decent AT&T cell service if you need/want it, but the freeway proximity was a disappointment for us.

Samantha A

Verified

August 17, 2020 Stayed at: 32, Loop: UPPER

2

I felt conflicted about rating this. While we had a good time, there were enough cons to this site to prevent us from returning in the future. The highway noise is very intrusive and you can even see the highway from many sites. The sap flow from the trees covered everything. Our tent, cooler, camp chairs, etc. Fellow campers kept leaving the lid of the vault toilets open, resulting in a stink that I still can't get out of my nostrils. If those factors don't bother you, you'll have a great time. In general the setting was beautiful (minus the highway), just wasn't our cup of tea.

Samantha A

Verified

August 17, 2020 Stayed at: 32, Loop: UPPER

2

I felt conflicted about rating this. While we had a good time, there were enough cons to this site to prevent us from returning in the future. The highway noise is very intrusive and you can even see the highway from many sites. The sap flow from the trees covered everything. Our tent, cooler, camp chairs, etc. Fellow campers kept leaving the lid of the vault toilets open, resulting in a stink that I still can't get out of my nostrils. If those factors don't bother you, you'll have a great time. In general the setting was beautiful (minus the highway), just wasn't our cup of tea.

Samantha A

Verified

August 17, 2020 Stayed at: 32, Loop: UPPER

2

I felt conflicted about rating this. While we had a good time, there were enough cons to this site to prevent us from returning in the future. The highway noise is very intrusive and you can even see the highway from many sites. The sap flow from the trees covered everything. Our tent, cooler, camp chairs, etc. Fellow campers kept leaving the lid of the vault toilets open, resulting in a stink that I still can't get out of my nostrils. If those factors don't bother you, you'll have a great time. In general the setting was beautiful (minus the highway), just wasn't our cup of tea.

Eve W

Verified

August 11, 2020 Stayed at: 28, Loop: UPPER

4

Close access to some amazing trails to alpine lakes. Nice swimming spot on river at campsite. Freeway noise kind of distracted from the beautiful setting though.

Location Indian Springs

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

Latitude & Longitude: 39.3293 / -120.569

Elevation: 1674 feet

Policies & Rules

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Fires & fuel

  • Fire restrictions may occur due to dry weather, limiting campfires and charcoal fires. Contact the Ranger District for updates.

Fees & deposits

  • A $5 daily fee applies for additional vehicles beyond the first at campsites, with specific rules for motorcycles and no fees for bicycles.

General

  • Freeway noise can be heard from campground
  • Click here for more information on the Tahoe National Forest
  • 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.

Cancellation policy

  • A no-show fee of $20 applies if you do not cancel by the specified times. Reservations may be held until check-out or check-in time.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 4, 2026

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