New Bullards Bar Reservoir has two boat-in campgrounds - Garden Point and Madrone Cove. Garden Point Campground is on the tip of a narrow peninsula between the Willow Creek arm and the main North Yuba River arm of the reservoir. Madrone Cove Campground is 6 miles up the North Yuba River arm from Dark Day Launch Ramp. Both campgrounds are only accessible by boat.
Garden Point Campground has 20 campsites, a number of which can be combined to form double sites. Madrone Cove has 10 campsites. There is no potable water at either campground. Garbage must be packed out.
Campgrounds at Bullards Bar were at one time operated by Emerald Cove Marina, but in 2020 the Forest Service took over the operation.
| Boat-in Campground Basics | |
|---|---|
| Boat-in Campground Location: | New Bullards Bar Reservoir shoreline |
| Elevation: | 1,900 feet |
| Mileage and driving time from gateway city: | Sacramento - 95 miles, 2:12 minutes
Oroville - 54 miles, 1:40 |
| Number of Sites: | Garden Point - 20 Madrone Cove - 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 Boat-in Campgrounds | |
|---|---|
| Reservations available | whenever campground is open |
| Booking Window: | Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance |
| Accessible Sites: | None designated |
| Fees: | $24 per night for single site |
| Reservations: | Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground Reservations
Garden Point Boat-in Campground Reservations |
| Check-in, check-out: | 2:00 PM, Noon |
| Garden Point and Madrone Cove Campground Amenities | |
|---|---|
| Campsites: | Picnic table, fire ring with grill, food storage box; no hook-ups |
| Campground: | Vault toilets, no potable water |
| Showers: | No |
| Dump station: | No |
| Nearby attractions: |
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.
New Bullards Bar Reservoir
New Bullards Bar Reservoir is known a quieter and more scenic alternative to the bigger neighboring lakes such as Oroville and Folsom. Campers at Boat-in Campgrounds enjoy more rustic camping away from the crowds and yet close to their boats. A quick boat trip carries campers to many of the lake's attractions.
Check the Tahoe National Forest website for Bullards Bar - Madrone Cove Campground or Bullards Bar - Garden Point Campground to find any campground updates.
