South Yuba River State Park
South Yuba River State Park is a state park in Nevada County, California, 12 miles from Nevada City. Day use costs $6.9 per vehicle. Hours: Sunrise-Sunset.
South Yuba River State Park map
South Yuba River State Park boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Closures
- Independence Trail partially closed due to Jones Fire damage; call Sierra District for current conditions (as of September 29, 2026). Current notice
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- Sites can be reserved in advance.
- Entry to South Yuba River State Park costs $6.9 per vehicle. Hours: Sunrise-Sunset.
- No, day use at South Yuba River State Park does not need a reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
- Independence Trail partially closed due to Jones Fire damage; call Sierra District for current conditions (as of September 29, 2026).
- South Yuba River State Park is 12 miles from Nevada City. It is 8 miles from Grass Valley.
- Visitor Center 530-432-2546 Operating Hours Park Hours: Day use only: Sunrise - Sunset Visitor Center Hours: 10 A (as of September 28, 2026).
- Yes, dogs are allowed at South Yuba River State Park.
Before you go
South Yuba River State Park is 12 miles from Nevada City. It is 8 miles from Grass Valley.
Day use needs no reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
Camping at South Yuba River State Park
Sites can be reserved in advance.
Trails
- Independence Trail Accessible trail built on a historic mining flume; partial closure due to Jones Fire
- Buttermilk Bend Trail Easy spring wildflower walk along the river
- Point Defiance Loop At Bridgeport Crossing on the South Yuba River
- Virginia Turnpike Loop Rated very easy to easy on the park trail system
- Old Flume Trail Rated very easy to easy; follows historic mining flume alignments
- Missouri Bar Trail Strenuous route to Missouri Bar on the river
What to see
- Historic site Bridgeport Covered Bridge Longest single-span wooden covered bridge in existence; connects hiking trails
- Historic site Purdon Crossing Bridge 1895 bridge still in use for hikers and drivers
- Historic site Edwards Crossing Bridge 1905 bridge still in use along the river corridor
Public lands next to South Yuba River State Park
- State parkSouth Yuba River State Park borders Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park.
- National forestSouth Yuba River State Park borders Tahoe National Forest.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=496 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_state_parks (accessed 2026-09-28)
- https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/496/files/SouthYubaRiverFinalWebLayout2018.pdf (accessed 2026-09-29)