Dark Day Campground
Tahoe National Forest — riverside, fishing
Location: Nevada City, CA, CA
Price: From $24 per night
Price range: $24–$72 per night
Rating: 3.4 out of 5 (38 reviews)
Season: May through October
Bullards Bar Reservoir is located on the North Yuba River at an elevation of 2000 feet. It is located approximately 21 miles north of Nevada City, California. It has a maximum surface area of 4,760 acres and a length of over 16 miles and shoreline of more than 60 miles.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/dark-day-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Dark Day Campground offers access to Bullards Bar Reservoir with 60+ miles of shoreline for boating, fishing, and water sports at 2,000 feet elevation. Campers praise it as a beautiful nature destination with a 4.7/5 rating.
Wildlife alert: Mountain lions and black bears present in area; also mountain garter snakes, valley garter snakes, and coralbelly ringneck snakes.
Insider tips for Dark Day Campground: Book early — it's a federal campground with only 10 sites and high demand. Bring a self-contained RV or be prepared for tent camping; no hookups available. Access 60+ miles of reservoir shoreline for boating and fishing from the boat launch.
Skip Dark Day Campground if: You need RV hookups — none available at most sites.. You're visiting outside May-October — campground is seasonal.. You want a large campground — only 10 sites total..
Best time to visit Dark Day Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Garden Point Boat-In Campground (Camptonville, CA), Schoolhouse Campground (Ca) (Nevada City, CA), Cottage Creek Campground (Ca) (Nevada City, CA), Madrone Cove Boat-In Campground (Nevada City, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Dark Day Campground
Cell signal at Dark Day Campground (Nevada City, CA): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Bullards Bar Reservoir is located on the North Yuba River at an elevation of 2000 feet. It is located approximately 21 miles north of Nevada City, California. It has a maximum surface area of 4,760 acres and a length of over 16 miles and shoreline of more than 60 miles.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
it's a federal campground with only 10 sites and high demand.
Bring a self-contained RV or be prepared for tent camping; no hookups available.
Access 60+ miles of reservoir shoreline for boating and fishing from the boat launch.
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Nevada City, travel north on Higway 49 for approximately 20 miles to Maryville Road , turn left onto Maryville Road and travel west approximatley 3 miles to the Dark Day Campground.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Tahoe National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Tahoe National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Dark Day Campground cost per night?+
What season is Dark Day Campground open?+
Does Dark Day Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Dark Day Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Dark Day Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Dark Day Campground?+
What season is Dark Day Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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