Yuba River, Tahoe National Forest, California
Location: Yuba River, Tahoe National Forest, California
Type: Car Camping or RV
Campsite: River Rest Resort Campsite (Privately Owned) Washington, CA
Campsite Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Out of five stars
It was the end of July summer of 2020 and we joined our friends to go car camping by the Yuba River. After a 3.5-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area, we arrived to the River Rest Resort, A privately owned car camping RV place nestled by the Yuba River, in Washington, CA.
The Campsite is a very well run, clean and well serviced by the staff. It is very oriented for RVs more than tent camping although some sites are designed for tent camping. When we arrived, it was completely booked. It is an extremely popular place for families seeking to do some great off-road exploration into the national forest. Everyone but our group had ATVs, dirt bikes and stuff to go out and explore the forest. We felt a little left out. But they were overall very friendly and welcoming people. Our first night we had to ask our neighbors if they could be quieter since they were playing music and having a lively conversation. They apologized and immediately turned things down. In fact, the second night they didn't even host their usual fire pit session.
Next morning, I woke up and ran for a couple of miles through the lazy town of Washington. Big cones and signs force drivers to slow down as well as the sleepy dogs lying in the middle of the street. The town of Washington is beautiful in my view, quiet and laid back. There is a quaint hotel where the only bar and restaurant is. There is only one general store where you can buy your camping goods and other items. The town is about 30 minutes from Nevada City, CA and is nestled along the Yube River which is one of the most beautiful rivers I have seen. Clear waters, not too cold, dramatic pools that form around the granite rock that protrudes throughout the river and forest.
We explored different parts of the river which required we drive on the dirt roads. An SUV that is elevated and has 4x4 wheel drive is highly recommended. These dirt roads take you along the Yuba River and throughout the national forest. Exploring the Yuba river means getting an innertube or floatie and hiking-swimming up the river and then floating back down to your spot. An incredibly fun activity for a family to do.
Yuba River is where much of the gold in California was prospected. During our trip we came across and met a few gold prospectors along the river. They were still finding gold using traditional methods. Because of the gold rush there were also many encampments and small communities of houses and building structures that now lay abandoned in the forest. My kids got a kick from visiting them and see if they saw any ghosts. There is a well known "Ghost Town" which was about an hour drive from our campsite. The local government maintains it and it is a small town that no one lives at but is maintained as if it was a functioning town. There is an eerie feel to it as it seems as though somebody is living there or using the town.
I would highly recommend this trip for the family, although be aware that the campsite we stayed at was crowded and busy if you want to camp in a more secluded site, I recommend you explore further into the dirt roads of the forest.