Cal-Ida
Campground · California · 13 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Tahoe National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 13
- Bookable sites
- 30 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 6
- People per site
- 2,296 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Cal-Ida Campground is located on Highway 49, across the road from the North Yuba River and 13 miles 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.Recreation
The North Yuba River offers swimming, wading and rainbow trout fishing. Seasonal rafting, and kayaking are popular water activities. A network of trails is located within the surrounding area including the nearby North Yuba River Trail.Facilities
The campground offers single-family campsites, some of which are designated for tent camping only. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.Natural Features
The campground lies across the highway from the North Yuba River. Oak, maple and locust trees are scattered throughout the campground, offering some shade.Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (530) 265-4531.Charges & Cancellations
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.
The facts
- Season: April 17 – October 13 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 13 bookable sites
- 19 sites in total, including non-bookable
- Vehicles up to 30 ft
- Up to 6 people per site
- Loops: AREA CAL-IDA
Site types
- 7 Standard Nonelectric
- 6 Management
- 5 Tent Only Nonelectric
- 1 RV Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, grills.
19 campsites at Cal-Ida
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 | |
| 001 | AREA CAL-IDA | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 10 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 002 | AREA CAL-IDA | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 10 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 003 | AREA CAL-IDA | Rv Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 004 | AREA CAL-IDA | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 12 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 005 | AREA CAL-IDA | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | Riverfront | 12 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 006 | AREA CAL-IDA | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | Riverfront | 28 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 007 | AREA CAL-IDA | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Riverfront | 12 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 008 | AREA CAL-IDA | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 12 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 009 | AREA CAL-IDA | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 010 | AREA CAL-IDA | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 12 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 011 | AREA CAL-IDA | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 12 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 012 | AREA CAL-IDA | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | Riverfront | 28 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 015 | AREA CAL-IDA | Management | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 016 | AREA CAL-IDA | Management | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 017 | AREA CAL-IDA | Management | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 018 | AREA CAL-IDA | Management | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 019 | AREA CAL-IDA | Management | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| Camp Host | AREA CAL-IDA | Management | Back In | Gravel | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Downieville, travel south on Highway 49 for about 13 miles. The campground is on the right side of the highway.
From Nevada City, travel north on Highway 49 for about 31 miles. The campground is on the left side of the highway.
39.52000, -120.99667 · 39°31'12.0"N 120°59'48.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 85°F in Aug, down to 50°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 51 | 51 | 54 | 59 | 68 | 77 | 85 | 85 | 80 | 70 | 57 | 50 |
| Low °F | 30 | 30 | 32 | 35 | 42 | 48 | 53 | 51 | 48 | 41 | 34 | 30 |
| Precip in | 14.7 | 13.7 | 12.8 | 6.4 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 4.1 | 8.6 | 16.3 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Cal-Ida
- Can you reserve a site at Cal-Ida?
- Yes, Cal-Ida is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Cal-Ida have?
- 19 sites in total, of which 13 can be booked.
- What is the maximum RV length at Cal-Ida?
- 30 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Cal-Ida?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Cal-Ida.
- Does Cal-Ida have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
- Are campfires allowed at Cal-Ida?
- Campfires are allowed at Cal-Ida. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Cal-Ida also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Cal-Ida's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $24 per site $5 for extra vehicle
Restrictions:
- Camping outside designated campground is prohibited in this area
Camping near Cal-Ida
- Carlton 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Fiddle Creek 0.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Indian Valley 0.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Rocky Rest 1.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ramshorn 4.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dark Day Campground 8.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Garden Point Boat-in Campground 9.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Strawberry Campground 6.5 mi · Campground
- Sly Creek Recreation Area 7.7 mi · Campground
- Sly Creek Campground 7.8 mi · Campground
- Dark Day Boating Site 8.6 mi · Facility
- Frenchy Point Campground 9.3 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone (530)478-6253
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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