Hampshire Rocks

With 12 sites accessible via rough access roads, Hampshire Rocks sits directly adjacent to the Yuba River in Tahoe National Forest. The US Forest Service campground operates seasonally from late May through September, charging $24-$48 per night with reservations available.

Highway 80 runs close to the campground, creating consistent road noise that campers consistently mention in reviews. "Campground is small, not trailer friendly," notes Rob S., though the campground officially accommodates RVs up to 45 feet. Site #2 offers the most direct river access according to camper feedback. The Yuba River provides cooling opportunities during summer months, with fishing available for those bringing gear.

Recent logging activity has left debris scattered throughout many sites. "Piles of wood and downed trees are everywhere, in every site," reports one visitor, requiring campers to clear areas before setup. Fire pits show wear, and bear boxes appear inconsistently across sites. Drinking water, restrooms, and picnic tables serve basic camping needs.

The campground works as an overnight stop for travelers on Interstate 80, particularly those heading to or from places to camp around Norden. Cell service reaches most sites. Campers seeking quieter forest camping may prefer exploring other options given the persistent freeway noise.

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Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

The water at Hampshire Rocks is currently non potable and should not be used for drinking water. Please bring your own water for drinking. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsHampshire Rocks is located in California near Norden

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

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.

Coordinates

39.310768 N
120.500006 W

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Connectivity

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    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 6/18/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 6/18/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time


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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Hampshire Rocks

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

0%
17%
17%
34%
34%

2.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted convenient freeway access and proximity to water recreation. However, several guests reported significant maintenance issues with debris-filled sites and persistent highway noise from Interstate 80.

Reviewed Jul. 5, 2025

Horrible spots

First off, the spots are not 40ft. A truck and a small RPod would be lucky to fit comfortably. Anything larger, is a huge NO. The spots themselves are rundown and look abandoned. Piles of wood and downed trees are everywhere, in every site. We had to move piles just to get in the spot. The fire pits are busted and half dug into the ground. And bear boxes are hit or miss. Your site could have none or you could get lucky and have two!

Site14
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2025

Not trailer friendly; river is nice

Campground is small, not trailer friendly. The Yuba River is close-by and is a great place to cool off. Moderate noise from the freeway. There are bear boxes in most sites.

Site12
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Hampshire Rocks by Rob S., July 4, 2025
  • Review photo of Hampshire Rocks by Rob S., July 4, 2025
  • Review photo of Hampshire Rocks by Rob S., July 4, 2025
Reviewed May. 11, 2023

Closed at this time - lots of snow!

We were looking for a place just for the night and thought we'd take our chances here without a reservation, the easy access from the freeway and low fee of $24 being the main draw for us. But it was closed, and all completely snowed in. According to the website they are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but another part of the website said they will open June 23 this year, which I think is more reasonable considering the huge amount of snow at this time (mid May). Freeway noise is definitely an issue here so heads up on that!

Month of VisitMay
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  • Review photo of Hampshire Rocks by Laura M., May 11, 2023
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jul. 7, 2020

Ok sites, bad road noise

The sites were fine and the campground was clean and conveniently located if you want to go to Donner Lake, etc. But the noise from 80 is relentless. I would only recommend the spot if you’re passing through.

Reviewed Jul. 22, 2019

Failure

We reserved our sites many months ago. In June I got an email saying our site was closed. I checked several review places and some claimed the gates were locked. Then later others noted it was now open. I called the rangers and they told be it was logged last year and some had not been cleaned up. A few sites were cleared but many had logs still in them. They said they call back and help me try to find a resolution. They never called back. The site is trying to charge me a $10 reservation cancellation fee even though my site is not available.

We ended up booking Chapman Creek instead. Looks like we made a good choice as every review coming in on other sites says the noise is ridiculous.

Reviewed Jun. 26, 2016

Very Functional but not off the road to far!

It is about 40 yards from the highway 80 offramp, so sound is never quite "nature" :) It is near civilization if you want to "glamp" for a bit. It is right on the water. If you want to know a secret, get camp site #2, and you will be less surrounded by other campers and have more access to the water.

Walk south west from the campsite on the road and you will have some decent day hiking with lovely views, but again, not entirely away from human buildings and wires, and all that.

  • Review photo of Hampshire Rocks by Patrick O., June 26, 2016
  • Review photo of Hampshire Rocks by Patrick O., June 26, 2016
  • Review photo of Hampshire Rocks by Patrick O., June 26, 2016
  • (7) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about Hampshire Rocks Campground?

Hampshire Rocks Campground receives mixed feedback primarily due to its proximity to Interstate 80. The constant highway noise is frequently mentioned as a significant drawback. The campground is described as small with sites that may not accommodate larger vehicles. Some visitors note that the sites can be rundown with debris and fallen trees. On the positive side, the campground's location offers convenient access for travelers passing through the area, proximity to Donner Lake, and the nearby Yuba River is highlighted as a great place to cool off during summer months.

What amenities and facilities are available at Hampshire Rocks Campground?

Hampshire Rocks Campground offers basic amenities including bear boxes at most campsites for food storage. The campground is situated near the Yuba River, providing a nice spot to cool off during hot weather. It's a small campground with a $24 nightly fee. The facility is typically open from Memorial Day through the fall season, though exact dates may vary depending on weather conditions and snow. Due to its compact size, the campground is not particularly trailer-friendly, so it's best suited for tent camping or very small RVs.

Are there photos available of Hampshire Rocks Campground?

While specific photos aren't detailed in the information provided, visitors can typically find images of Hampshire Rocks Campground through the Forest Service website, camping apps, or by contacting the local ranger district office. The campground features a small, wooded setting near the Yuba River with sites that are generally rustic in nature. For the most current visual information before planning your trip, check with the Tahoe National Forest or contact the managing agency directly.