Indian Valley

Campground · California · 16 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Tahoe National Forest (NF) · Open Access

16
Bookable sites
40 ft
Max rig length
up to 12
People per site
2,304 ft
Elevation
Whitewater Rafting, North Fork Yuba River
Photo: TNF · Recreation.gov

Overview

Indian Valley Campground is located alongside the North Yuba River just off Highway 49, about 11 miles west of Downieville. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, white water boating, and gold panning. 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, kayaking and tubing are also popular water activities. A network of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and motorcycle singeltrack criss-crosses the surrounding area including the Yuba River, Halls Ranch, and Butcher Ranch trails and the Downieville Downhill.

Facilities

The campground offers both single and double family campsites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.

Natural Features

The campground sits on the north bank of the North Yuba River. Tumbled rock piles from early gold dredging activity are scattered around the campground. A forest of oak, fir, pine and madrone trees provides ample shade. Many sites have views of the river.

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (530) 265-4531.

Nearby Attractions

Indian Valley Campground is located on the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway (Highway 49) near many gold rush era historical sites and old mining towns such as Camptonville, Goodyears Bar, and Downieville. Many points of interest lie along Highway 49 and are part of the 49 miles of Highway 49 driving tour; look for interpretive signs and other historical sites along this tour route. Other attractions include the North Yuba River, Indian Valley Outpost, New Bullards Bar Reservoir, Downieville, and a network of miles of motorcycle singletrack.

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 15 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 16 bookable sites
  • 17 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • Vehicles up to 40 ft
  • Up to 12 people per site
  • Loops: AREA INDIAN VALLEY

Site types

  • 16 Standard Nonelectric
  • 1 Management

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

17 campsites at Indian Valley

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceWaterMax rigPeople
001AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—20 ft6 🐾
002AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
003AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—35 ft6 🐾
004AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPavedRiverfront35 ft6 🐾
005AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPavedRiverfront35 ft6 🐾
006AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—35 ft6 🐾
007AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
008AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft6 🐾
009AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft12 🐾
010AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
011AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPavedRiverfront25 ft12 🐾
012AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—35 ft6 🐾
013AREA INDIAN VALLEYManagementBack InPaved—30 ft6 🐾
014AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft6 🐾
015AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft6 🐾
016AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft6 🐾
017AREA INDIAN VALLEYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—20 ft6 🐾

Getting there

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 just over 30 miles. The campground is on the right side of the highway.

39.51368, -120.98351 · 39°30'49.2"N 120°59'0.6"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 85°F in Aug, down to 50°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F515154596877858580705750
Low °F303032354248535148413430
Precip in14.713.712.86.44.01.20.00.20.54.18.616.3

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.5 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 Indian Valley

Can you reserve a site at Indian Valley?
Yes, Indian Valley is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Indian Valley have?
17 sites in total, of which 16 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Indian Valley?
40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Indian Valley?
Yes, pets are allowed at Indian Valley.
Are campfires allowed at Indian Valley?
Campfires are allowed at Indian Valley. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Indian Valley also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Indian Valley's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $24 per site $5 for extra vehicle

Accessibility:

  • Parking, restrooms, selected campsites, raised tent pad, river overlook

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Indian Valley

Comments

Contact

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.