Saved Account Join
A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service campground

Union Flat

Forest Service campground in Tahoe National Forest, Sierra County, California. 3,378 feet. 22.6 miles from Portola.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Tahoe National Forest
Elevation
3,378 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
11 7 standard non-electric, 3 tent only non-electric, 1 walk to
Longest rig
50 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Sierra County

Overview

Union Flat Campground is located on the North Yuba River, near Highway 49. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing and gold panning.

Recreation

The North Yuba River offers swimming, wading and rainbow trout fishing. Seasonal rafting, tubing and kayaking is available.

Facilities

The campground offers several single-family campsites and one double site. Some sites are designated for tent camping only. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided.

Natural Features

The campground stretches along the north bank of the North Yuba River. A tumbled rock wall from early gold dredging activity separates campsites from the river. A forest of pine, fir, maple and oak trees covers the area, offering shade in many sites.

Nearby Attractions

Union Flat Campground is located on the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway (Highway 49) near many gold rush era historical sites and old mining towns such as Goodyears Bar, Sierra City, and Downieville. Many points of interest lie along Highway 49 and are part of the 49 miles of Highway 49 driving tour; look for interpretive signs and other historical sites along this tour route. Gold Lakes Basin offers boating, fishing, biking, and hiking. Boating, fishing and swimming are available at nearby Sardine Lakes, about 14 miles east of the campground. Sardine Lakes Resort offers boat rentals, lodging, and a restaurant. On the water, visitors enjoy boating and fishing. Anglers will find rainbow and brook trout in many of the lakes, streams, and rivers throughout the basin. Over 30 miles of maintained trails for hiking, mountain biking, and motorcycle singletrack branch out across the area and the Pacific Crest Trail can be accessed at a few spots east of Sierra City and in the Gold Lakes Basin area. The historic towns of Sierra City and Downieville offer historic and cultural attractions, restaurants, shops, churches, and vistor information.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hunting
  • kayaking
  • mountain biking
  • scenic drive
  • swimming site
  • water access
  • water activities

The land around Union Flat

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated March 11, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

Join Overlanding Life
Saved Account

Start with a region

Browse the directory