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Submission
Hampshire Rocks Campground is located in the Tahoe National Forest on the banks of the South Yuba River, near the Rainbow/Big Bend exit along Interstate 80. Visitors enjoy the area for its cool temperatures, access to the South Yuba River, fishing, and trail opportunities, as well as its historic significance along the California Emigrant Trail. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
The South Yuba River offers swimming, and rainbow trout fishing. The surrounding area offers hiking, road biking, mountain biking, and off-road vehicle trails. The historic California Emigrant Trail passes through the campground.
The campground offers single-family campsites, a few of which are designated for tent camping only. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.
The campground is situated on the north bank of the upper South Yuba River in a forest of lodgepole pines. Some sites are adjacent to the river, which flows gently through this particular area.
Donner Lake is located 14 miles east of the campground via Historic Route 40/Lincoln Highway, known as the nation's first transcontinental highway. Many points of interest lie along Route 40, including China Wall, Rainbow Bridge, Sugar Bowl, Lake Van Norden and Ice Lakes. Other attractions include Donner Summit PCT, Loch Leven, and Castle Peak Trailheads, Fordyce 4x4 jeep trail, and Grouse Ridge Non-Motorized Area.
From Truckee, Calif., take Highway 80 west 17 miles. Take the Rainbow/Big Bend exit. If westbound, turn left under the freeway to the campground entrance. If eastbound, turn right at the stop sign.
This campground is pretty private and quiet overall. Donner Lake and Truckee are close. You have access to the Yuba River to cool off, which was the best part. Take some bug/mosquito spray because there's tons of them in summer. The only real drawback is that it's close to the freeway, which creates a constant noise in the background.
Nice place, a little hidden gem actually! The only downside is the road noise from I80.
This place is ok. Campsites are small overall but there are a few other campsites that are large. As for the highway sound, yes, it's quite loud the closer you are to the highway (north side). However, it's pretty much white noise. This review isn't based on the noise. No camp host on site when we went. Swimming holes were fairly nice. Quite a few runs that go through camp. There's a little back trail along the creek for people to take to go to swimming pools. Vegetation was very green and I feel there's plenty of shade most of the day. Some camp spots not so much but out of the 4 I reserved, 3 had plenty of shade.
Campsites were dirty. Previous lazy folks leave their trash in the bear boxes although there are at least four big dumpsters you can't miss on your way in or out of the campground (it's a loop, one way and one way out).
We stumbled into one of the most beautiful places on earth! Breathtaking views, fishing the streams, sitting by the camp fire, and looking for some bears . The highway is the only downside to this place … Semi primitive, has water to use, public restrooms, (porta potty style toilet inside building ) outside water spickets .
I liked the campground and but just as others said, there is definitely noise of the freeway so 1 star less. Pros and cons of this campground
1) Not all sites are of same size, few are so small that only 1 tent can fit in and then no space left. Ex site #25.
2) Few sites are quite big and have a nice access to the Yuba river.
3) Restrooms are good, fresheners kept the smell away.
4) All sites pretty much have a bear safe box to keep the food.
Overall a nice campground if noise is not a concern.
