The best camping near Yuba State Park

Legend has it that disgruntled local farmers sang a song with the lyrics, “You be damned if you work, and damned if you don’t,” while building the Yuba Reservoir—hence its original name, the “U.B. Dam.” Today, the 22-mile-long lake sits at the heart of Yuba State Park, where getting on the water is the top activity. Bring your boat, water skis, or windsurf, cool off with a swim at the sandy beaches, or try your luck fishing for northern pike and walleye. Away from the water, you can also go ziplining or explore the surrounding hiking and OTV trails.

• Best for year-round camping: Oasis Campground has RV sites with and without electric hookups, plus heated family cabins with cooking facilities.
• Best for boaters: Painted Rocks Campground has RV sites with electric hookups and its own boat launch on the east bank of the Yuba Reservoir. 
• Best for beach views: North Beaches Campground has primitive campsites with vault toilets and shared firepits, right by the sand.

1. You can reserve campsites and cabins at all Yuka State Park campgrounds during peak season—March 15 through Sept 16. For the rest of the year, only Oasis Campground remains open, with sites only available on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis. 
2. All campsites can be reserved four months in advance, and you can book online via the Reserve America website.
3. Campsites can book up as fast, especially for holiday weekends, so book as soon as possible. Note that you can book a maximum of 13 days beyond the last date of the 4-month reservation window.

Hemmed in between mountain and desert, Yuba State Park enjoys a temperate climate with warm summers (June through September) ideal for swimming and water sports, and icy winters when the lake freezes over (November through March). The park stays open year-round, although all but one of its campgrounds close in low season. Check the water levels before arrival if you plan to boat or enjoy water sports in summer.

• Yuba State Park sits 110 miles south of Salt Lake City, about a 1-hour and 40-minute drive away along I-15. The main park entrance is at the Oasis campground and day-use area—take exit 202 and follow the signs. Alternatively, the Painted Rocks are reached via Utah Hwy 28.
• A per-vehicle day pass is required for all Utah State Parks, and booking fees also apply. 
• Yuba State Park facilities include restrooms, picnic areas, and a camp store selling ice and firewood. Several boat launches and seasonal paddle board rentals are available.
• Toxic algae has been found blooming at the lake in recent years, so follow park guidelines regarding swimming and water sports.
• Pets are permitted at Yuba State Park, but must be kept on a maximum 6-foot leash at all times. 
• There are accessible restrooms, picnic areas, and campsites at Yuba State Park.