Madrone Cove sits on Bullards Bar Reservoir's 60-mile shoreline, accessible only by boat — no road leads here. The group site works for crews who want the North Yuba's granite country without the crowds, though you'll need to haul everything across the water first.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- $20
- 📍GPS
- 39.46921, -121.16417
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 530-478-6253
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Approach
You can't drive to Madrone Cove. Three boat launches serve Bullards Bar Reservoir: Cottage Creek at Emerald Cove Marina sits about 6 miles away by water, while Dark Day launch is roughly 5 miles out. There's also an undeveloped launch at the end of Moran Road. The reservoir stretches over 16 miles at 2,000 feet elevation, with steep-sided shores that limit access points.
The Setting
Bullards Bar Reservoir holds 4,760 acres when full, surrounded by mixed conifer and hardwood forest. The campsites offer plenty of shade, a welcome feature during Sierra Nevada summers. Swimming requires a boat ride to find gentler shoreline — the steep slopes around most of the reservoir make water access challenging from shore.
What's Nearby
The area includes five trail options if you want to stretch your legs on land. The longest, Bullards Bar Trailhead, runs 14 miles. Shorter options include 8 Ball Trail at 3.8 miles, Rebel Ridge Trail at 1.6 miles, 7 Ball Trail at 1 mile, and Schoolhouse Trail at 0.7 miles. Trail maps are available at the North Yuba Ranger Station on Marysville Road, a few miles east of the reservoir.
The water provides year-round fishing for both warm and cold water species. Water skiing and other motorized water sports are permitted. Supplies can be found at Emerald Cove Marina or in the nearby communities of Camptonville, North San Juan, and Dobbins.