Dark Day Campground is located along a ridge on a peninsula on the southeast shore of New Bullards Bar Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest. Campgrounds at Bullards Bar were at one time operated by Emerald Cove Marina, but in 2020 the Forest Service took over the operation. Visitors to the campground enjoy boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, and hiking. The campground is adjacent to Dark Day Boat Ramp and 3½ miles from Cottage Creek Boat Ramp.
Dark Day Campground has 10 campsites designated for tents only. Three campsites are doubles and one is a triple. Adjacent to the campground is the Dark Day Picnic Area. Some campsites are close to the water when the lake is full.
| Dark Day Campground Basics | |
|---|---|
| Dark Day Campground Location: | Garden Valley Rd. off Marysville Rd. on the southeast shore of New Bullards Bar Reservoir |
| Elevation: | 2,000 feet |
| Mileage and driving time from gateway city: | Sacramento - 95 miles, 2:12 minutes
Oroville - 54 miles, 1:40 |
| Number of Sites: | 10 |
| Camping Season: | Open mid-April through mid-October |
| Max. People per Site: | 6 (including children) |
| Vehicles per Site: | 1 for single sites, more for doubles and triples |
| Pets: | on leash, always attended |
| Operated by | Tahoe National Forest |
| Yuba River Ranger District: | (530) 362-8259 |
| Reservations for Dark Day Campground | |
|---|---|
| Reservations available | Reservations for Dark Day Campground can be made whenever campground is open. |
| Booking Window: | Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance of arrival date. |
| Accessible Sites: | None designated |
| Fees: | $24 per night for single site |
| Reservations: | Dark Day Campground Reservations
Plus a $10 reservatiion fee |
| Check-in, check-out: | 2:00 PM, Noon |
| Dark Day Campground Amenities | |
|---|---|
| Campsites: | Picnic table, fire ring with grill, food storage box; no hook-ups |
| Campground: | Vault toilets, tap water |
| Showers: | No |
| Dump station: | No |
| Attractions near: | Head down to the lake for swimming, water skiing, fishing, and boating. Take advantage of the Dark Day Launch Ramp. Hike along the Bullards Bar Trail. Visit Emerald Cove Marina with boat rentals. Stop in at Camptonville. Try mountain biking the Bullards Bar Loop.
Trout Fishing Best Sellers |
New Bullards Bar Reservoir
Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths.
In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, firewood from outside the area is not permitted.
Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate.
Dark Day Campground
New Bullards Bar Reservoir is known a quieter and more scenic alternative to the bigger neighboring lakes such as Oroville and Folsom. Campers at Dark Day Campground have a number of interesting places to explore.
Check the Tahoe National Forest website, Bullards Bar - Dark Day Campground, for any campground updates.
