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Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground in California
Hard to BookNational Forest

Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground

Tahoe National Forest, California

We can email you the day Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground opens again.

It is off-season. Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground has no announced reopening date

Tahoe National Forest has this campground closed for the season.

ClosedClosed now

As of October 2026, Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground is a campground in Tahoe National Forest, California with 10 campsites. Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground is located at 39.4692ยฐ N, 121.1642ยฐ W.
people allowed on each site
6

Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground reservations and next available dates

Stay and booking rules

  • Maximum stay: 14 nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground, read on September 29, 2026.

Campsites at Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground

  • Boat-in 10

Amenities

  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife, photography, horse riding.

All sites at Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the A loop.

SiteTypeSleeps
1Boat-in6
2Boat-in6
3Boat-in6
4Boat-in6
5Boat-in6
6Boat-in6
7Boat-in6
8Boat-in6
9Boat-in6
10Boat-in6

About Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground

Overview

Bullards Bar Reservoir is located on the North Yuba River at an elevation of 2000 feet. It is located approximately 21 miles north of Nevada City, California. It has a maximum surface area of 4,760 acres and a length of over 16 miles and shoreline of more than 60 miles.

Recreation

Activities include wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, boating, water skiing, and other water sports. Swimming opportunities are limited because of the steep slopes; however boaters will find numerous opportunities for swimming in various locations around the reservoir. The reservoir provides yearlong fishing opportunities for both warm and cold water fish species. Supplies are available at the marina as well as the nearby communities of Camptonville, North San Juan, and Dobbins.

Facilities

Public access for boating and recreation is limited to 2 developed and 1 undeveloped boat launches: the Cottage Creek Boat Launch ramp at Emerald Cove Marina (aprox. 6 miles from campground by boat), the Dark Day Boat Launch ramp (aprox. 5 miles from campground by boat), and the undeveloped site at the end of Moran Road. The area includes 5 campgrounds, 2 picnic areas, 2 boat launch ramps, 1 marina, 1 overlook, 1 day use area and several developed hiking trails.

Natural Features

The sides of the reservoir are generally steep and public access for boating and recreation is limited. The reservoir is surrounded by both conifer and hardwood forests with numerous brush species. There is plenty of shade at the campsites

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (530) 265-4531.

Nearby Attractions

There is a beautiful non- motorized trail system in the area, with 5 different trails to choose from. Bullards Bar Trailhead is 14 miles, 7 Ball Trial is 1 mile, 8 Ball Trail is 3.8 miles, Rebel Ridge Trail is 1.6 miles and Schoolhouse Trail is 0.7 miles. Maps are available at the North Yuba Ranger Station just a couple miles east of the reservoir on Marysville Road.

Charges & Cancellations

No Show Policy

A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival).

* No-show customers are only recorded at staffed facilities. At most remote facilities, all customers are noted as automatically checked-in on the date of arrival.

* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.

* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date.

There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation if the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit some or all of the recreation fees.

There is no change fee if the customer changes campsites that are the same price and on the same reservation dates in the same campground. If the campsite the customer is changing to has a price difference, the customer will be responsible for any additional fees or be provided with a refund, based on the price difference.

Where recorded, no-show customers are assessed a $20.00 no-show fee and forfeit the first night's recreation fee for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use recreation fee for a day-use facility. We recommend customers contact the facility if they are en route to their reservation but cannot make it by the check-in date. In these cases, no refund will be issued, but the facility can ensure that a "no-show" fee is not assessed.

Rules and notices at Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Utility hookups and showers are not available

Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the Yuba River Ranger District (530) 288-3231(voice), (530) 288-3656 (TDD).

Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

There is no water at this facility

No Show Policy

A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival).

* No-show customers are only recorded at staffed facilities. At most remote facilities, all customers are noted as automatically checked-in on the date of arrival.

* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.

* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date.

There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation if the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit some or all of the recreation fees.

There is no change fee if the customer changes campsites that are the same price and on the same reservation dates in the same campground. If the campsite the customer is changing to has a price difference, the customer will be responsible for any additional fees or be provided with a refund, based on the price difference.

Where recorded, no-show customers are assessed a $20.00 no-show fee and forfeit the first night's recreation fee for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use recreation fee for a day-use facility. We recommend customers contact the facility if they are en route to their reservation but cannot make it by the check-in date. In these cases, no refund will be issued, but the facility can ensure that a "no-show" fee is not assessed.

Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground?

Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground have?

Madrone Cove Boat-in Campground has 10 campsites.

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