Anglers and swimmers will find Union Flat positioned along Highway 49 in Tahoe National Forest, where the North Yuba River creates swimming holes that draw crowds during peak season. The campground accommodates RVs up to 50 feet and provides standard amenities including restrooms, drinking water, and a dump station. Site 8 offers direct access to the main swimming hole, though this means foot traffic through the campsite. Site 7A sits riverside with no shade but provides swimming access.

Weekend visitors should expect parties and loud music, while weekday stays remain quieter. The rough access road leads to forested sites where campers report good gold panning results and active fly fishing. For a different experience, Sierra Streamside Resort sits less than a mile southwest.

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Location

Public Campground

Union Flat is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Downieville, take Highway 49 north about 6 miles. The campground is on the right side of the highway.

Coordinates

39.568073 N
120.744984 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

3 Reviews

Campers regularly cited excellent swimming holes and family activities like fishing and gold panning. Guests commonly noted peaceful weekdays versus loud weekend parties, with some sites lacking shade but offering prime river access.

Reviewed Aug. 9, 2020

Great Midweek

We stayed here for three nights. Two of those nights were during the week. Friday night had a completely different vibe- lots of parties and loud music. Note on the map that site 7 looks like it is on the river. It is not, but 7A is. We stayed at 7A which had zero shade, but did have access to the swimming hole. Our kids loved this campground. The swimming hole was awesome. This campsite is about 15 minutes from Downieville.

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2016

Great escape from tahoe

This time of the year can get really crowded in the eastern sierras, this riverside escape off the 49 is the perfect getaway. About a hour out of truckee you'll find some of the most beautiful swimming holes I'd ever seen in ca. Many sites in the area, this one seemed to have the best hole attached. Site 8 is the access to it, so beware if you don't like people walking through. Great mtn biking, fishing, rafting, floating and swimming. Fly fishing is on fire, if you have a spin rod throw a bubble and 7 foot leader and watch the little guys come on in.

  • Review photo of Union Flat by Keef W., July 31, 2016
  • Review photo of Union Flat by Keef W., July 31, 2016
  • Review photo of Union Flat by Keef W., July 31, 2016
  • (4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Union Flat Campground?

Union Flat Campground offers riverside campsites, with some sites like 7A providing direct access to the water. While riverside access is a key feature, it's important to note that not all sites that appear to be on the river actually have water access. Some campsites lack shade coverage, particularly site 7A. The campground appears to accommodate multi-night stays, as visitors report staying for three nights or more. For specific amenities like restrooms, water sources, or hook-ups, it's advisable to contact the campground directly before your visit.

What do visitors say about Union Flat Campground in their reviews?

Union Flat Campground is praised as a peaceful riverside escape, particularly valued for being about an hour from Truckee. Campers highlight the beautiful swimming holes, described as some of the most stunning in California. The campground offers a tranquil experience during weekdays, though the atmosphere changes significantly on weekends with more parties and louder music. The location along the river makes it a perfect getaway, especially during busy seasons when other eastern Sierra campgrounds become crowded.

Are there photos available of Union Flat Campground to view before visiting?

Photos of Union Flat Campground are likely available through various camping platforms and official forest service websites. These would showcase the campground's riverside setting and beautiful swimming holes mentioned by visitors. To find the most current visual information, check the USFS website managing this area, or search camping platforms for user-submitted photos. The images would help you identify which sites offer river access and shade conditions, both important considerations when selecting a campsite at Union Flat.