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This 20-mile portion of the South Yuba River canyon stretches from Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park to Bridgeport covered bridge. The area includes the longest single-span covered bridge in the world, the steep rugged canyon of the South Yuba River, and the Independence Trail - the first identified wheelchair-accessible wilderness trail in the country.
South Yuba River State Park offers many scenic vistas. Visitors can view fast water pouring over massive granite ledges in the spring and warm, slow moving emerald swimming holes during the late summer.
Visitors can enjoy: swimming, hiking, panning for gold, beautiful wildflowers in the spring, and exploring the trails leading to historic mining sites. Docent-led history, nature, and gold-panning tours are also offered at selected times throughout the year.
Adventuresome hikers have a choice of trails ranging in difficulty from the easiest (Independence Trail), to other more strenuous trails throughout the park.
Getting There
South Yuba River State Park headquarters located at Bridgeport, 17660 Pleasant Valley Rd can be accessed from Highway 20 west of Grass Valley or from Highway 49 north of Nevada City. Remote portions of the park are accessible from Edwards Crossing, Purdon Crossing, and Highway 49.
South Yuba River State Park headquarters located at Bridgeport, 17660 Pleasant Valley Rd can be accessed from Highway 20 west of Grass Valley or from Highway 49 north of Nevada City. Remote portions of the park are accessible from Edwards Crossing, Purdon Crossing, and Highway 49.
Seasons/Climate
The climate varies depending on elevation, but is generally mild, with hot, dry summers. October to May can be cold and rainy.
The climate varies depending on elevation, but is generally mild, with hot, dry summers. October to May can be cold and rainy.
Operating Hours & Contact
Bridgeport: day-use sunrise - sunset; Visitor Center Parking Lot open 10am –sunset; Visitor Center Hours: Thu - Sun 11am - 4pm
Remote Areas: day-use sunrise - 10pm
Telephone: Ranger Office 530-432-2546; Sector Office 530-273-3884
Bridgeport: day-use sunrise - sunset; Visitor Center Parking Lot open 10am –sunset; Visitor Center Hours: Thu - Sun 11am - 4pm
Remote Areas: day-use sunrise - 10pm
Telephone: Ranger Office 530-432-2546; Sector Office 530-273-3884
Activities
Wildflowers: On Saturdays and Sundays from early March through mid-May, free guided walks through magnificent displays of wildflowers begin at 11am. Bring drinking water. Pets are not permitted on the walks.
Swimming: Swimming is best from midsummer through fall, when the sun warms the river and its flows are at lower, safer levels. Swimming is not recommended in cold, fast-moving water. No lifeguards are on duty, so swim at your own risk and use flotation devices. To swim at the Family Beach Area, take the trailhead (parking and restroom nearby) that begins at the Bridgeport Covered Bridge.
Bird Watching: Bring binoculars and comfortable walking shoes for spring and fall guided bird walks. Canyon wrens, spotted towhees, American dippers, acorn woodpeckers, black phoebes and rubycrowned sparrows may be seen here.
Hiking: More than a dozen trails vary from “very easy” (the totally accessible South Yuba Independence Trail), through “easy” (Virginia Turnpike Loop, Old Flume). The 2.8 mile Point Defiance Loop at Jones Bar is “moderate,” and Missouri Bar is rated “strenuous.” The easy one mile Buttermilk Bend trail offers spectacular spring wildflower walks.
Gold Panning: Modern-day gold seekers can play out the story of the gold rush using only bare hands and shallow gold pans. Visitors may keep any gold they find.
Fishing: Fishing is safer after the spring runoff has subsided and the river level drops. Anglers age 16 or over must carry a valid California fishing license.
River Watching: Watch the river’s power and serenity from the Highway 49 Bridge, the windows of the Bridgeport Covered Bridge, and the Purdon and Edwards Crossing bridges.
Living History Days: Held the last Sunday in April and October, these events offer wagon rides and demonstrations of pioneer life.
Wildflowers: On Saturdays and Sundays from early March through mid-May, free guided walks through magnificent displays of wildflowers begin at 11am. Bring drinking water. Pets are not permitted on the walks.
Swimming: Swimming is best from midsummer through fall, when the sun warms the river and its flows are at lower, safer levels. Swimming is not recommended in cold, fast-moving water. No lifeguards are on duty, so swim at your own risk and use flotation devices. To swim at the Family Beach Area, take the trailhead (parking and restroom nearby) that begins at the Bridgeport Covered Bridge.
Bird Watching: Bring binoculars and comfortable walking shoes for spring and fall guided bird walks. Canyon wrens, spotted towhees, American dippers, acorn woodpeckers, black phoebes and rubycrowned sparrows may be seen here.
Hiking: More than a dozen trails vary from “very easy” (the totally accessible South Yuba Independence Trail), through “easy” (Virginia Turnpike Loop, Old Flume). The 2.8 mile Point Defiance Loop at Jones Bar is “moderate,” and Missouri Bar is rated “strenuous.” The easy one mile Buttermilk Bend trail offers spectacular spring wildflower walks.
Gold Panning: Modern-day gold seekers can play out the story of the gold rush using only bare hands and shallow gold pans. Visitors may keep any gold they find.
Fishing: Fishing is safer after the spring runoff has subsided and the river level drops. Anglers age 16 or over must carry a valid California fishing license.
River Watching: Watch the river’s power and serenity from the Highway 49 Bridge, the windows of the Bridgeport Covered Bridge, and the Purdon and Edwards Crossing bridges.
Living History Days: Held the last Sunday in April and October, these events offer wagon rides and demonstrations of pioneer life.
Historic Sites & Bridges
Bridgeport Mining Camp (ca. 1850): Mining camp, stage stop and ranch, it yielded some of the richest placer gold found anywhere.
Hoyt Crossing (ca. 1850): This historic fording spot is near the Hoyt Crossing Trail at Highway 49 Crossing.
Virginia Turnpike (1853-1901): Some features of this 14-mile toll road can be seen today, including portions of two stone walls that may have been built to discourage drivers from avoiding payment of tolls.
Illinois Crossing (1854): A ferry operated here before the Edwards Crossing Bridge was built.
Bridgeport Covered Bridge (1862): River access is easy from here.
Purdon Crossing Bridge (1895): In this unique half-through truss support system, the bridge’s deck lies roughly halfway between the top and bottom chords (supports), which allowed greater clearance under flood conditions.
Edwards Crossing Bridge (1904): This 114-foot span is considered a “sister” to the 1905 Gault Bridge in Nevada City.
Old Highway 49 Bridge (1921): This “rainbow-arch” cement bridge offers a grand viewpoint and easy access to the water.
Bridgeport Mining Camp (ca. 1850): Mining camp, stage stop and ranch, it yielded some of the richest placer gold found anywhere.
Hoyt Crossing (ca. 1850): This historic fording spot is near the Hoyt Crossing Trail at Highway 49 Crossing.
Virginia Turnpike (1853-1901): Some features of this 14-mile toll road can be seen today, including portions of two stone walls that may have been built to discourage drivers from avoiding payment of tolls.
Illinois Crossing (1854): A ferry operated here before the Edwards Crossing Bridge was built.
Bridgeport Covered Bridge (1862): River access is easy from here.
Purdon Crossing Bridge (1895): In this unique half-through truss support system, the bridge’s deck lies roughly halfway between the top and bottom chords (supports), which allowed greater clearance under flood conditions.
Edwards Crossing Bridge (1904): This 114-foot span is considered a “sister” to the 1905 Gault Bridge in Nevada City.
Old Highway 49 Bridge (1921): This “rainbow-arch” cement bridge offers a grand viewpoint and easy access to the water.
Landscape
The deep, rugged canyons of South Yuba River State Park host a rich variety of wildlife. Black bears seek plant foods, insects and even carrion; coyotes and mountain lions hunt deer and small game. The park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with raptors, waterfowl and songbirds among the winged residents. The most impressive season at the park is spring, when snowmelt roars over massive granite boulders and spectacular displays of wildflowers grace the riverbanks and secluded waterfalls. The canyon sides are covered in black oaks, gray pine and Douglas-fir.
The deep, rugged canyons of South Yuba River State Park host a rich variety of wildlife. Black bears seek plant foods, insects and even carrion; coyotes and mountain lions hunt deer and small game. The park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with raptors, waterfowl and songbirds among the winged residents. The most impressive season at the park is spring, when snowmelt roars over massive granite boulders and spectacular displays of wildflowers grace the riverbanks and secluded waterfalls. The canyon sides are covered in black oaks, gray pine and Douglas-fir.
Accessible Features
Trails:
The Family Beach Area Trail is a 60" wide accessible trail for about 0.05 mile that leads to the river. Trailhead, parking and restroom at Historic Bridgeport Covered Bridge, off Highway 20, east of Marysville on Pleasant Valley Road.
The Independence Trail is accessible for 2.21 miles and is jointly owned by State Parks and Sequoya Challenge, a non-profit organization dedicated to outdoor access for all. A historic aqueduct has been modified to enable wheelchair users and hikers to pass through forests and over gorges and to view waterfalls, scenic vistas and a mountain stream. Trailhead, two paved designated accessible parking spaces, and a new accessible design non-flush restroom (see photo below) are located off Highway 49 one mile south of the first bridge north of Nevada City. Additional accessibility and other information on this trail is available on the web site at Sequoya Challenge. Call the park for more information.
Beach/Shore Access
A beach wheelchair will be available for use at the family Beach area. Ask at entry station.
Exhibits/Programs
The elegant Bridgeport Covered Bridge dates from the 1860s and is considered the longest surviving single span covered bridge in America. It is located on Pleasant Valley Road, about halfway between Highway 20 and Highway 49, just outside of French Corral. There are two accessible parking spaces in an adjacent lot, with one van accessible.
Fishing
An accessible ramp down to Rush Creek is located about 1.1 miles west of the trailhead for the Independence Trail. It provides shaded fishing access for licensed anglers with disabilities. See above for parking and directions to this trail.
Trails:
The Family Beach Area Trail is a 60" wide accessible trail for about 0.05 mile that leads to the river. Trailhead, parking and restroom at Historic Bridgeport Covered Bridge, off Highway 20, east of Marysville on Pleasant Valley Road.
The Independence Trail is accessible for 2.21 miles and is jointly owned by State Parks and Sequoya Challenge, a non-profit organization dedicated to outdoor access for all. A historic aqueduct has been modified to enable wheelchair users and hikers to pass through forests and over gorges and to view waterfalls, scenic vistas and a mountain stream. Trailhead, two paved designated accessible parking spaces, and a new accessible design non-flush restroom (see photo below) are located off Highway 49 one mile south of the first bridge north of Nevada City. Additional accessibility and other information on this trail is available on the web site at Sequoya Challenge. Call the park for more information.
Beach/Shore Access
A beach wheelchair will be available for use at the family Beach area. Ask at entry station.
Exhibits/Programs
The elegant Bridgeport Covered Bridge dates from the 1860s and is considered the longest surviving single span covered bridge in America. It is located on Pleasant Valley Road, about halfway between Highway 20 and Highway 49, just outside of French Corral. There are two accessible parking spaces in an adjacent lot, with one van accessible.
Fishing
An accessible ramp down to Rush Creek is located about 1.1 miles west of the trailhead for the Independence Trail. It provides shaded fishing access for licensed anglers with disabilities. See above for parking and directions to this trail.
Community Trips
