Ramshorn
Ramshorn Campground is located off of Highway 49, in the North Yuba River area west of Downieville. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, mountain biking, motorcycle singletrack, hunting, fishing, and gold panning. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
More like this: reservable in California · tent only in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 16 |
Site guide
16 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 02 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 03 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 04 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 05 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 06 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 07 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 08 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 09 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 10 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 20 ft |
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers several single-family sites, all of which are designated for tent camping only. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | October 15 |
| Forest | Tahoe National Forest |
| Booking | This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777), or on-line at www.recreation.gov |
| Fees | $24 per site $5 for extra vehicle |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Downieville, take Highway 49 south for about 5.5 miles. The campground is on the right side of the highway. From Nevada City, take Highway 49 north for about 36 miles. The campground is on the left side of the highway.
| Nearest town | Nevada City, California |
| Coordinates | 39.5393° N, 120.9115° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
No Show Policy A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival). No-show customers are only recorded at staffed facilities. At most remote facilities, all customers are noted as automatically checked-in on the date of arrival. It is recommended that staffed facilities hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. It is recommended that staffed facilities hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date. There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation if the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit some or all of the recreation fees. There is no change fee if the customer changes campsites that are the same price and on the same reservation dates in the same campground. If the campsite the customer is changing to has a price difference, the customer will be responsible for any additional fees or be provided with a refund, based on the price difference.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 22.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | DeMartini RV Sales ↗ | 23.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Upcycled Adventures ↗ | 36.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Ramshorn Campground - Tahoe National Forest, CA
Worth a stop
Ramshorn Campground is located along the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway (Highway 49) near many gold rush era historical sites and old mining towns such as Camptonville, Goodyears Bar, 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. Other attractions include the North Yuba River, Indian Valley Outpost, New Bullards Bar Reservoir, Downieville, and a network of miles of multi use hiking, biking, and motorcycle singletrack.
- 12.9 miDark Day Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 13.5 miOregon Creek Day Use Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miHalls Ranch ↗5.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.3 miFiddle Creek Ridge ↗5.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle
- 1.5 miNorth Yuba ↗15.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.7 miCal-Ida Mc ↗17.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 3 miTruckee Ditch ↗10.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.2 miRidgetop ATV1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Tahoe National Forest.
- inTahoe National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,181,139 acres
- 0.4 miPlumas National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,431,953 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Sierra County Sheriff's GallowsStructure · Downieville · 4.5 mi
- Durgan BridgeStructure · Downieville · 4.6 mi
- Jersey BridgeStructure · Downieville · 4.7 mi
Natural features
Ramshorn Campground is located on the steep slopes of the North Yuba River Valley between the Indian Valley Recreation Area and Downieville. The campground's two loops are situated among abundant blackberry bushes in a forest of cedar and fir trees. Shady oak trees are scattered around the upper loop.
Recreation
A network of trails crisscrosses the surrounding area. The 5.8-mile Halls Ranch Trail is open to hiking, mountain biking, and motorized use. The Yuba River Trail can be accessed nearby at the Rocky Rest Trailhead. The North Yuba River offers swimming, floating, and rainbow trout fishing. The river is a popular destination for seasonal rafting, kayaking and tubing.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Ramshorn?
Sites at Ramshorn are reservable on Recreation.gov. This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777), or on-line at www.recreation.gov Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Ramshorn?
$24 per site $5 for extra vehicle
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Ramshorn?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Ramshorn open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season October 15.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Ramshorn have?
16 sites, including 16 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Ramshorn?
The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Ramshorn?
Yes, pets are allowed at Ramshorn. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Ramshorn?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Ramshorn?
A network of trails crisscrosses the surrounding area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Ramshorn?
Nevada City, California. Ramshorn Campground is located along the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway (Highway 49) near many gold rush era historical sites and old mining towns such as Camptonville, Goodyears Bar, and Downieville.
Source: Getting there
What if Ramshorn is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Rocky Rest (4 mi), Indian Valley (4.2 mi), and Fiddle Creek (4.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby