Hampshire Rocks
Tahoe National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Nevada City, CA, CA
Price: From $24 per night
Price range: $24–$48 per night
Rating: 3.4 out of 5 (68 reviews)
Season: May through October
Hampshire Rocks Campground is located in the Tahoe National Forest on the banks of the South Yuba River, near the Rainbow/Big Bend exit along Interstate 80. Visitors enjoy the area for its cool temperatures, access to the South Yuba River, fishing, and nearby trail opportunities, as well as its historic significance along the California Emigrant Trail. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/hampshire-rocks to be notified when sites open up.
Hampshire Rocks offers scenic camping on the banks of the South Yuba River in Tahoe National Forest with access to fishing, swimming, hiking, and historic California Emigrant Trail sites. Campers praise it as a gorgeous spot with a friendly camp host and clean trails.
Wildlife alert: Black bears active in area seeking food; also present are California Ground Squirrels, Western Gray Squirrels, Fox Sparrows, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Northern Rubber Boas, and California Mountain Kingsnakes.
Insider tips for Hampshire Rocks: Book early—this is a federal campground with high demand No RV hookups available; only suitable for self-contained RVs Access South Yuba River directly from campground for fishing and swimming
Skip Hampshire Rocks if: You need RV hookups—none available at most sites. You prefer year-round camping—seasonal operations May-October only. You're bothered by garbage waste—campers report litter issues.
Best time to visit Hampshire Rocks: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Big Bend Group (Yuba River) (Nevada City, CA), Indian Springs (Nevada City, CA), North Fork (Ca) (Camptonville, CA), Tunnel Mills Ii (Camptonville, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Hampshire Rocks
Cell signal at Hampshire Rocks (Nevada City, CA): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
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.
Hampshire Rocks Campground is located in the Tahoe National Forest on the banks of the South Yuba River, near the Rainbow/Big Bend exit along Interstate 80. Visitors enjoy the area for its cool temperatures, access to the South Yuba River, fishing, and nearby trail opportunities, as well as its historic significance along the California Emigrant Trail. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
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
this is a federal campground with high demand
No RV hookups available; only suitable for self-contained RVs
Access South Yuba River directly from campground for fishing and swimming
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: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Truckee, Calif., take Highway 80 west 17 miles. Take the Rainbow/Big Bend exit. If westbound, turn left under the freeway to the campground entrance. If eastbound, turn right at the stop sign.
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 Hampshire Rocks cost per night?+
What season is Hampshire Rocks open?+
Does Hampshire Rocks have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Hampshire Rocks?+
How do I make reservations at Hampshire Rocks?+
What is the cell service like at Hampshire Rocks?+
What season is Hampshire Rocks open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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