Rocky Rest

Campground · California · 10 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Tahoe National Forest (NF) · Open Access

10
Bookable sites
30 ft
Max rig length
up to 6
People per site
2,334 ft
Elevation
North Fork Yuba River at RR
Photo: Cecilia Reed · Recreation.gov

Overview

Rocky Rest Campground is located off of Highway 49, in the North Yuba River area near 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

A trailhead for the North Yuba Trail is located within the campground. This 7.5-mile trail is open to hiking and biking. The North Yuba River offers swimming, floating, and rainbow trout fishing. A small rocky beach and swimming hole are situated at the water's edge. The river is a popular destination for seasonal rafting, kayaking and tubing.

Facilities

The campground offers several single-family sites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.

Natural Features

The campground is situated on the north bank of the North Yuba River, where a forest of Douglas fir, pine, and oak provides ample shade, but limited privacy between sites.

Contact Info

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

Nearby Attractions

Rocky Rest Campground is located along 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 multi use hiking, biking, and 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
  • 10 bookable sites
  • Vehicles up to 30 ft
  • Up to 6 people per site
  • Loops: AREA ROCKY REST

Site types

  • 10 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

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

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

Book on Recreation.gov

10 campsites at Rocky Rest

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceWaterMax rigPeople
001AREA ROCKY RESTStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—12 ft6 🐾
002AREA ROCKY RESTStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—15 ft6 🐾
003AREA ROCKY RESTStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—25 ft6 🐾
004AREA ROCKY RESTStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—9 ft6 🐾
005AREA ROCKY RESTStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravel—10 ft6 🐾
006AREA ROCKY RESTStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—15 ft6 🐾
007AREA ROCKY RESTStandard NonelectricBack InGravelRiverfront30 ft6 🐾
008AREA ROCKY RESTStandard NonelectricBack InGravelRiverfront30 ft6 🐾
009AREA ROCKY RESTStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—15 ft6 🐾
010AREA ROCKY RESTStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—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 31 miles. The campground is on the right side of the highway.

39.51350, -120.97771 · 39°30'48.6"N 120°58'39.8"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, 7.7 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 Rocky Rest

Can you reserve a site at Rocky Rest?
Yes, Rocky Rest is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Rocky Rest have?
10 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Rocky Rest?
30 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Rocky Rest?
Yes, pets are allowed at Rocky Rest.
Are campfires allowed at Rocky Rest?
Campfires are allowed at Rocky Rest. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $24 per site $5 for extra vehicle

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Rocky Rest

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.