Union Flat

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. The North Yuba River offers swimming, wading and rainbow trout fishing, and seasonal rafting, tubing and kayaking are available. The campground offers several single-family campsites and one double site, some of which are designated for tent camping only. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring, and vault toilets are provided. 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, and a forest of pine, fir, maple and oak trees covers the area, offering shade in many sites. Union Flat 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 the 49 miles of the Highway 49 driving tour, marked by interpretive signs. Gold Lakes Basin offers boating, fishing, biking and hiking, and boating, fishing and swimming are available at nearby Sardine Lakes, about 14 miles east of the campground, where Sardine Lakes Resort offers boat rentals, lodging and a restaurant. 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.