Sunrise-Sunset
South Yuba River State Park
UPDATE (May 22, 2020) - As California State Parks begins working with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved, it is important for visitors to continue to practice physical distancing and avoid congregating with people outside their immediate household. Everyone has the responsibility to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Here are some guidelines for people visiting South Yuba River State Park:
What is open now?
South Yuba River is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to active recreation with restrictions in place to encourage social distancing.
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
At this park:
Statewide:
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors. For more information, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
Here are some guidelines for people visiting South Yuba River State Park:
What is open now?
South Yuba River is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to active recreation with restrictions in place to encourage social distancing.
- Very limited parking is now available to the public. Parking is $10. Credit card payment through Automatic Payment Machines is encouraged to avoid cash handling.
- All trail systems are available and active recreation will be permitted.
- Outdoor restrooms will be available.
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
At this park:
- Bridgeport Bridge area and parking remain closed during bridge construction project.
Statewide:
- Campgrounds.
- High public-use indoor facilities, including museums and visitor centers.
- Special events and tours continue to be canceled until further notice.
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
- Stay Local: Stay close to home. Walk or bike into the park. Parking is very limited. Do not take road trips to parks and beaches or to neighboring states.
- Stay Active: Keep walking, jogging, hiking and biking. Watch for one-way trails.
- Stay Safer at 6 Feet: Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Gatherings, picnics and parties are not allowed. Visitors will be asked to leave if there are too many people at the park, beach or on trails to allow for the required physical distance.
- Stay Clean: Be prepared. Bring soap/sanitizer and pack out all trash.
- Stay Covered: The state now requires you to wear a face covering in most indoor settings and public outdoor spaces when you cannot maintain physical distancing of six feet or more from people outside of your immediate household. For details, please visit CDPH’s guidance here. Visitors should also abide by their local county health orders.
Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors. For more information, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
Phone Number
(530) 432-2546
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Dogs allowed on all trails and shoreline areas of South Yuba River State Park, except the area known as Family Beach. Dogs not allowed here from the covered bridge at Bridgeport, 200 feet downstream on both sides of the river.
Driving Directions to South Yuba River SP
South Yuba River State Park is located off Highway 49, north of Nevada City. The park is accessible from Edwards Crossing, Purdon Crossing, Highway 49 and Bridgeport.Address:
17660 Pleasant Valley Road, Penn Valley, CA 95946
Online reservations are not available for this park.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
BOATING
Boating
Boating
TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Beach Area
Swimming
Vista Point
Family Programs
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Beach Area
Swimming
Vista Point
Family Programs
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
April 16, 2020: Humbug Creek and Independence Trails Closed Due to Recent Landslides and Tree Failures
The Humbug Creek and Independence Trails are closed to the public due to safety concerns caused by recent landslides and tree failures. A District Superintendent Order enacting the closures is currently in effect.The Humbug Creek Trail that runs from Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park to South Yuba River State Park is closed due to major tree and soil failures on the southern portion of the trail. Damage is extensive, covering approximate 200 yards of trail, making it impassable. At this time, State Parks does not know when repairs can be paid to reopen the trail. Crews are accessing the site to survey the damage.
The east side of the historic Independence Trail, off Highway 49 in western Nevada County, is also closed. The Independence Trail was constructed on historic flumes designed to carry water to hydraulic mining operations. The flumes act as bridges in many locations and Flume 22, the first flume located approximately a quarter mile from the eastern trail entrance off of Highway 49, is damaged due to soil erosion associated with continuous landslides. Several lower sections of the bottom piers, supporting the structure, are broken or undercut due to soil instability. The bridge is not safe for pedestrian traffic.
State Park crews are actively surveying the damage and have a plan to replace and repair the damaged portion. The work is extensive and may involve closing that section of the trail for the next several months.
State Park crews are actively surveying the damage and have a plan to replace and repair the damaged portion. The work is extensive and may involve closing that section of the trail for the next several months.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in staying off the trails for your own safety. If you have any further questions, please call the Sierra District Office at (530) 273-3884.
Purdon crossing bridge closed to all vehicular access through June during bridge repair.
Latest Updates on Bridgeport Covered Bridge Restoration Project
After being closed in the fall of 2011 for structural deficiencies, the reconstruction project on the historic Bridgeport Covered Bridge is moving forward. Starting June 12, 2019, the south parking lot will be closed to day-use parking. For the latest on the rehabilitation project and park operations, please click here.Location-Directions:
South Yuba River State Park headquarters located at Bridgeport, 17660 Pleasant Valley Rd can be accessed from Highway 20 west of Grass Valley or from Higway 49 north of Nevada City. Remote portions of the park are accessible from Edwards Crossing, Purdon Crossing, and Highway 49.
The park:
This 20-mile portion of the South Yuba River canyon stretches from Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park to Bridgeport covered bridge. The area includes the longest single-span covered bridge in the world (currently closed for restoration), the steep rugged canyon of the South Yuba River, and the Independence Trail - the first identified wheelchair-accessible wilderness trail in the country.
South Yuba River State Park offers many scenic vistas. Visitors can view swift moving water carving the granitic canyon that is peppered with seasonal native blooms in springtime, and experience refreshing swimming holes that dot the 20 mile length of the Yuba River in late summer. Along the length of the park, visitors can see several architectually different bridges spanning from the Gold Rush era to the mid-20th century.
Visitors can enjoy:
- swimming
- bird watching
- panning for gold
- wildflowers in the spring
- hiking in the historic gold country
- docent-led history, wildflower, birding, geology, and gold-panning tours are also offered at selected times throughout the year
Adventuresome hikers have a choice of trails ranging in difficulty, from the easiest (Independence Trail), to other more strenuous trails throughout the park. Click on the "Hiking" link above right to explore all the hiking trail options.
Caution:
Winter and Spring weather conditions can cause the trail to become muddy and impassable for wheelchairs. Call the park for trail condition information before you go.
Filming Videos and Still Photography in State Parks
California State Parks thanks you for choosing our beautiful parks for your photographic activities and sharing the wonders of our park units with the world. However, in order to maintain the beauty of our parks and its natural and cultural resources, we request that all commercial, still and motion picture photographers obtain a film permit from the California Film Commission.California State Parks requires an approved film permit for:
- All commercial still photography and videography
- Professional photographers offering services
- Student photo/film
- Professional development projects
Drones are not permitted unless a special permit is granted. Use film and photography permits link below for further contact information.
To learn more, please visit our blog here.
For specific film permit information at Empire Mine State Historic Park, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park or South Yuba River State Park, please click here.
(Photograph by Mike Fuller)Once the South Yuba River watershed was the focal point of the California Gold Rush. Today, it is recognized by the California State legislature as a Wild and Scenic River with scenery of “Outstanding Remarkable Value.” This park which follows the river the twenty miles provides a very scenic geologic cross-section of a part of the State that played such prominent roles both geologically and economically in California’s history.