Union Flat

Campground · California · 11 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Tahoe National Forest (NF) · Open Access

11
Bookable sites
50 ft
Max rig length
up to 12
People per site
3,378 ft
Elevation
North Fork Yuba River
Photo: tnf · Recreation.gov

Overview

Union Flat Campground is located on the North Yuba River, near Highway 49. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing and gold panning.

Recreation

The North Yuba River offers swimming, wading and rainbow trout fishing. Seasonal rafting, tubing and kayaking is available.

Facilities

The campground offers several single-family campsites and one double site. Some sites are designated for tent camping only. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided.

Natural Features

The campground stretches along the north bank of the North Yuba River. A tumbled rock wall from early gold dredging activity separates campsites from the river. A forest of pine, fir, maple and oak trees covers the area, offering shade in many sites.

Contact Info

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

Nearby Attractions

Union Flat Campground is located on the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway (Highway 49) near many gold rush era historical sites and old mining towns such as Goodyears Bar, Sierra City, 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. Gold Lakes Basin offers boating, fishing, biking, and hiking. Boating, fishing and swimming are available at nearby Sardine Lakes, about 14 miles east of the campground. Sardine Lakes Resort offers boat rentals, lodging, and a restaurant. On the water, visitors enjoy boating and fishing. Anglers will find rainbow and brook trout in many of the lakes, streams, and rivers throughout the basin. Over 30 miles of maintained trails for hiking, mountain biking, and motorcycle singletrack branch out across the area and the Pacific Crest Trail can be accessed at a few spots east of Sierra City and in the Gold Lakes Basin area. The historic towns of Sierra City and Downieville offer historic and cultural attractions, restaurants, shops, churches, and vistor information.

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: May 20 – October 15 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 11 bookable sites
  • Vehicles up to 50 ft
  • Up to 12 people per site
  • Loops: AREA UNION FLAT

Site types

  • 7 Standard Nonelectric
  • 3 Tent Only Nonelectric
  • 1 Walk To

Amenities

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

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

Book on Recreation.gov

11 campsites at Union Flat

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceAccessWaterMax rigPeople
001AREA UNION FLATTent Only NonelectricPull ThroughGravelDrive In—40 ft6 🐾
002AREA UNION FLATStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravelDrive In—25 ft6 🐾
003AREA UNION FLATStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravelDrive In—25 ft6 🐾
004AREA UNION FLATStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravelDrive In—20 ft6 🐾
005AREA UNION FLATTent Only NonelectricBack InGravelDrive In—50 ft12 🐾
006AREA UNION FLATStandard NonelectricBack InGravelDrive In—17 ft6 🐾
007AREA UNION FLATStandard NonelectricBack InGravelDrive In—16 ft6 🐾
008AREA UNION FLATStandard NonelectricParallelGravelDrive In—31 ft6 🐾
009AREA UNION FLATTent Only NonelectricParallelGravelDrive In—27 ft6 🐾
010AREA UNION FLATStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—Riverfront20 ft6 🐾
011AREA UNION FLATWalk ToBack InGravelHike InRiverfront36 ft6 🐾

Getting there

From Downieville, take Highway 49 north about 6 miles. The campground is on the right side of the highway.

39.56807, -120.74498 · 39°34'5.1"N 120°44'41.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 89°F in Jul, down to 46°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F485258637281898983725646
Low °F303133364246515046393329
Precip in11.310.710.05.33.61.10.10.20.73.36.811.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.2 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 Union Flat

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

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $24 per site $5 for extra vehicle

Restrictions:

  • Recreational mining is hands and pans only. Mining claims are in surrounding area. Be aware of claim markers for existing mining claims.

Accessibility:

  • Restrooms

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Union Flat

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.