Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
River Access
About Rocky Rest
Number of accommodations: 9
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Hunting
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
River Access
Water Access
- River Access
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
9 Sites Available
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Site Details
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9 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (31)
What Guests Are Saying
Rocky Rest Campground offers stunning views, particularly from site 7, and features clean facilities, great access to a beautiful river, and excellent hiking trails. The small size of the campground contributes to a peaceful atmosphere, making it a favorite for those looking to relax by the water. However, guests should be prepared for potential noise from traffic and a significant mosquito presence, which can impact the overall experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Rocky Rest Campground offers stunning views, particularly from site 7, and features clean facilities, great access to a beautiful river, and excellent hiking trails. The small size of the campground contributes to a peaceful atmosphere, making it a favorite for those looking to relax by the water. However, guests should be prepared for potential noise from traffic and a significant mosquito presence, which can impact the overall experience.
Review Summary
Abinaya M
VerifiedApril 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: AREA ROCKY REST
I booked site 6 and someone else was already camping at the site. He wouldn't leave because he claimed it was "first come first serve". We had to take another spot, which was stressful. Beware that there's no regulation of bookings and you're not guaranteed your site.
Darla L
VerifiedOctober 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: AREA ROCKY REST
We had site 7 and it has the best view in the whole campground! Despite there not being an on site camp host, the bathroom was spotless and had no odor whatsoever. Great trail and beach area. We never left the campground.
tanuja p
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA ROCKY REST
Simply the BEST in EVERY WAY!
Melissa V
VerifiedAugust 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: AREA ROCKY REST
It’s such a great spot, very nice right on the water, toilets are pretty clean and garbage taken out regularly.
craig m
VerifiedJune 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: AREA ROCKY REST
Nice small campground with great access to a nice beach and swimming hole. Not too many sites so it was quiet.
Our second time there this spring. Very Interesting mine tailings in the campground and across the river. Well worth
exploring to get a taste of gold fever that was a big part of that area and the extraordinary efforts people went to in order to strike it rich. Beautiful and easy hike with good trail along the river just across the bridge.
Amber M
VerifiedJune 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: AREA ROCKY REST
Site 7 is probably the best site overall. Great view of the water. Only one toilet for the campground and it is a walk from most of the sites. Nice water access and close to trails. Beware there’s lots of snakes around this place.
Brittney C
VerifiedMay 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: AREA ROCKY REST
We recently stayed at Rocky Rest Campground and had a mixed experience. There are definitely some great things about this spot—it’s a short walk to the river, which is beautiful and perfect for swimming or relaxing. The campground is small, which we liked, and it was easy to find our site without any hassle. It’s also a good location for hiking and mountain biking in the area.
However, there were a couple of major downsides. The campground is literally right off the road, and during the day the traffic can be pretty loud, which took away from the peaceful outdoor vibe. But the biggest issue by far was the mosquitos—they were relentless. Even after soaking ourselves in bug spray, we were constantly getting bitten. It was so bad that we ended up leaving a night early.
I’d only recommend Rocky Rest if you’re extremely prepared to battle mosquitos—bring strong bug spray, citronella candles, incense, and anything else you can think of. If you’re well-equipped, it’s a nice base for enjoying the nearby river and trails, but otherwise, it can be a tough stay.
Jerardo L
VerifiedAugust 18, 2024 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA ROCKY REST
Night sky is awesome here. Campgrounds are okay and river gets busy. The night sky was a big plus however.
Robert L
VerifiedAugust 31, 2023 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: AREA ROCKY REST
There is only one porta potty in the Sites 5-10 loop. It is rated for use by 10 people during a 40 hour work week. This is potentially being used by up to 36 people 24/7. It is insufficient. Within 2 days of it being cleaned out, it is full, stinky and unusable. I have made this same complaint for several years. Either you need to build a new pit toilet (I don't know why you removed and filled in the old one) or provide at least two more porta potties.
Susan S
VerifiedAugust 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: AREA ROCKY REST
There is only one porta potty in the Sites 5-10 loop. It is rated for use by 10 people during a 40 hour work week. This is potentially being used by up to 36 people 24/7. It is insufficient. Within 2 days of it being cleaned out, it is full, stinky and unusable. I have made this same complaint for several years. Either you need to build a new pit toilet (I don't know why you removed and filled in the old one) or provide at least two more porta potties.
Location Rocky Rest
Address:
Yuba River Ranger Station
Nevada City, CA, 95959
United States
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 31 miles. The campground is on the right side of the highway.
The campground is accessible via Highway 49, which runs north and south near the site. It is approximately 11 miles south of Downieville and 31 miles north of Nevada City.
Latitude & Longitude: 39.5135 / -120.978
Elevation: 712 feet
Policies & Rules
General
- In accordance with standard industry practices, we will be assessing a $5 additional vehicle fee on the 'second vehicle' in each single family campsite, and on the 'third and fourth vehicle' in any double family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site. In the case of motorcycles, the first two are considered to be one vehicle and the third and fourth are also considered to be one vehicle. No additional vehicle fees are collected for bicycles.
- Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers
- Utility hookups and showers are not available
- 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(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.
- 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.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
