| South Yuba River Park Brochure |
South
Yuba River
State Park
Our Mission
The mission of California State Parks is
to provide for the health, inspiration and
education of the people of California by helping
to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological
diversity, protecting its most valued natural and
cultural resources, and creating opportunities
for high-quality outdoor recreation.
Steep, rugged
canyons hide a
richness of historic
sites and a turquoise
green river that knows
few bounds — South
California State Parks supports equal
access. Prior to arrival, visitors with
disabilities who need assistance should
contact the park at (530) 432-2546. If
you need this publication in an alternate
format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov.
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
For information call: (800) 777-0369
(916) 653-6995, outside the U.S.
711, TTY relay service
www.parks.ca.gov
Discover the many states of California.™
South Yuba River State Park
17660 Pleasant Valley Road
Penn Valley, CA 95946
(530) 432-2546 or 273-3884
© 2009 California State Parks (Rev. 2014)
Yuba River State Park
is as exciting as the
gold that still glimmers
along its riverbanks.
I
n the depths of the South Yuba River
Canyon, visitors to South Yuba River State
Park will find a wealth of wonder and
discovery. This long, narrow patchwork
of lands is a treasure trove of history that
includes classic bridges, toll crossings, and
trails leading to historic gold rush mine sites.
Add to that the canyon’s stunning scenery,
the clear, cold river tumbling between
massive granite ledges, and many inviting
places to play, and you have something to
please just about everyone.
The climate varies depending on
elevation, but is generally mild, with hot,
dry summers. October to May can be cold
and rainy.
PARK HISTORY
Native People
The Northern Maidu people — also known
as Nisenan — may have migrated to the
northern Sierra about 2,500 years ago. As
with other hunter-gatherer groups, the
Nisenan people’s lives revolved around the
changing seasons. Their lands provided
them with free-running water, plentiful game
and plant foods, and the basic materials
needed to create homes, tools and finely
crafted baskets.
European contact brought a halt to the
well-established Maidu way of life. With the
discovery of gold in 1848 came devastating
diseases and loss of the people’s traditional
resources. Settlers seeking land for grazing
and lumber for construction simply took
over the available resources. In the process
they polluted the river with mining debris
and cut down many trees, including the oaks
that provided food and shelter materials for
the Maidu. Today, Nisenan descendants work
with other Maidu groups to obtain federal
tribal status, to increase youth educational
opportunities, and to develop forest
management programs to reestablish the
forest’s natural diversity.
Gold along the South Fork
In June 1848 gold was discovered near
Rose’s Bar, just downstream from Bridgeport.
Merchant John Rose, the first European settler
to build a permanent structure in Nevada
County, sold placer mining supplies; by 1850
Rose’s Bar swarmed with more than 2,000
miners. Two or three miles from Rose’s Bar,
Parks’ Bar — by far the richest of all the Yuba
River gravel bars — was named for David Parks,
who brought his family to the gold fields.
family occupied a large farmhouse, where
they collected tolls for use of the
covered bridge.
Andrew and Victoria’s son Alfred and
his wife Lucy took over the ranch and
made many changes at Bridgeport. By
1926 Alfred and Lucy had developed
the extremely popular Bridgeport Swim
Resort — several cottages and a dance
pavilion — about 1/4-mile upriver from the
covered bridge near the swimming hole.
At about the same time they built a small
grocery store and a gas station.
During the Great Depression of the
1930s, the Kneebone family shared their
good fortune. The large numbers of
people who had begun to arrive in the
area hoping to make a living panning for
gold needed shelter, so Alfred and Lucy
rented out the resort’s vacation cottages.
However, when hydraulic placer mining
was resumed upriver at about the same
time, fouling the river with debris, the
Kneebone resort went out of business.
Victoria Kneebone
died in 1930, and
Andrew died in
1934. They and other
relatives are interred
in the Kneebone
Family Cemetery,
which is cared for by
their descendants.
The Kneebone Family
Hard work, generosity and enterprise brought
prominence to the pioneer Kneebone family.
Andrew Reed Kneebone
came to the U.S. in 1871
from Cornwall, England.
On his family’s 400-acre
farm in the Spenceville
area, Andrew learned
to handle large teams
of horses and mules.
Andrew’s future wife,
Victoria Marie Cole,
grew up on a farm near
Bridgeport. The Cole
Andrew Kneebone and family, ca. 1903
The River Crossings
With activity on both
sides of the river,
safe crossings were vital. Ferries
came first, made by either overturning
wagons and connecting them to form barges,
or by refitting wagons to travel across water.
The Point Defiance Ferry was located near
today’s Bridgeport, the Jones Bar Ferry
was near today’s Highway 49 Bridge, and
the ferry at Edward’s Crossing was near
Illinois Bar.
Early bridge crossings include the 1895
Purdon Crossing Bridge and the 1905
Edward’s Crossing Bridge, both in use
today, and the 1921 Highway 49 Bridge, a
graceful concrete arch that is perfect for
watching the river.
At Jones Bar, four bridges have spanned
the location, though none have survived the
ravages of time and the river.
Bridgeport Covered Bridge
By far the best-known bridge in the area
is the Bridgeport Covered Bridge. In 1850
Virginian David I. Wood settled his family
near the South Fork of the Yuba River,
Bridgeport Covered Bridge
establishing a sawmill at Forest City and
a store at French Corral. Six years later, he
and some associates formed the Virginia
Turnpike Company to facilitate travel and
commerce between Marysville and Virginia
City, Nevada, and to collect tolls for use of the
roads. Flooding during the winter of 1861-62
had destroyed five bridges across the river.
In 1862 Wood oversaw the construction of
the Bridgeport Covered Bridge, built with
Douglas-fir trusses and wrought-iron rods and
covered in sugar pine shakes. Originally 251
feet long, the bridge became 229 feet long
after removal of the weather wings at each
end. Marking the route favored by gold miners
crossing the river, today the graceful curve
of its wooden arch is visible from both the
interior and exterior, making it a highly favored
subject for photographers. This beautiful
bridge is thought to be the longest singlespan covered bridge in existence.
NATURAL RESOURCES
The deep, rugged canyons of South Yuba
River State Park host a rich variety of wildlife.
Black bears seek plant foods, insects and
even carrion; coyotes and mountain lions
hunt deer and small game. The park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with raptors, waterfowl
and songbirds among the winged residents.
The most impressive season at the park is
spring, when snowmelt roars over massive
granite boulders and spectacular displays of
wildflowers grace the riverbanks and secluded
waterfalls. The canyon sides are covered in
black oaks, gray pine and Douglas-fir.
Buttermilk Bend wildflower trail
RECREATION
Please visit www.parks.ca.gov or call the
park at (530) 423-2546 for updates on park
events or conditions.
Wildflowers — On Saturdays and Sundays
from early March through mid-May, free
guided walks through magnificent displays
of wildflowers begin at 11 a.m. Bring drinking
water. Pets are not permitted on the walks.
Swimming — Swimming is best from
midsummer through fall, when the sun
warms the river and its flows are at lower,
safer levels. Swimming is not recommended
in cold, fast-moving water. No lifeguards
are on duty, so swim at your own risk and
use flotation devices. To swim at the Family
Beach area, take the trailhead (parking
and restroom nearby) that begins at the
Bridgeport Covered Bridge.
Bird Watching — Bring binoculars and
comfortable walking shoes for spring and
fall guided bird walks. Canyon wrens,
spotted towhees, American dippers, acorn
woodpeckers, black phoebes and rubycrowned sparrows may be seen here.
Hiking — More than a dozen trails vary from
“very easy” (the totally accessible South
Yuba Independence Trail), through “easy”
(Virginia Turnpike Loop, Old Flume). The
2.8-mile Point Defiance Loop at Jones Bar
is “moderate,” and Missouri Bar is rated
“strenuous.” The easy one-mile Buttermilk
Bend Trail offers spectacular spring
wildflower walks.
Gold Panning — Modern-day gold seekers
can play out the story of the gold rush using
only bare hands and shallow gold pans.
Visitors may keep any gold they find.
Fishing — Fishing is safer after the spring
runoff has subsided and the river level
drops. Anglers age 16 or over must carry a
valid California fishing license. For fishing
regulations, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov.
River Watching — Watch the river’s power
or its calm serenity from the bank or the
Highway 49 Bridge and the Purdon and
Edwards Crossing bridges.
Living History Days — Held the last Sunday
of each October, these events feature wagon
rides and demonstrations of pioneer life.
HISTORIC SITES AND BRIDGES
Bridgeport Mining Camp (ca.
1850) — Mining camp, stage stop
and ranch, it yielded
some of the richest placer gold
found anywhere.
Hoyt Crossing (ca. 1850) — This
historic fording spot is near the
Hoyt Crossing Trail at Highway
49 Crossing.
Virginia Turnpike (1853-1901) —
Some features of this 14-mile toll
road can be seen today, including
portions of two stone walls that
may have been built to discourage
drivers from avoiding payment of tolls.
Illinois Crossing (1854) — A ferry operated
here before the Edwards Crossing Bridge
was built.
Bridgeport Covered Bridge (1862) — River
access is easy near here.
Purdon Crossing Bridge (1895) — In this
unique half-through truss support system,
the bridge’s deck lies roughly halfway
between the top and bottom chords
(supports), which allowed greater clearance
under flood conditions.
River watching at the Old Highway 49 bridge
Edwards Crossing Bridge (1904) —
This 114-foot span is considered a “sister”
to the 1905 Gault Bridge in Nevada City.
Old Highway 49 Bridge (1921) —
This “rainbow-arch” cement bridge offers a
grand viewpoint and easy access to the water.
DITCHES AND FLUMES
Water power was necessary to bring the
gold to light, so the miners dug a series of
ditches directing creek and river water. In
order to power the nozzles of the monitors
that washed away gravels and exposed the
gold, miners used gravity to direct water
from higher (or intake) to lower (or output)
elevations. Wherever ditches could not be
dug, they built wooden flumes — long boxlike structures to direct water flow.
The Excelsior Ditch, completed in 1859, has
seen years of multiple uses — first as a ditch,
later carrying irrigation water. Today this
well-constructed flume, with ramps leading
to Rush Creek, carries people of all abilities
along the Independence Trail.
INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
Docents lead natural, cultural and historical
activities at Bridgeport throughout the year.
On spring weekends, guided wildflower
walks take place. A history station and
gold-panning demonstrations are offered
during summer weekends. The Bridgeport
Fall Festival is the last Sunday in October.
Guided bird walks are offered in the spring
and fall. Visitors can always tour the historic
barn, which houses eleven Gold-Rush-era
wagons and a hay press.
Call (530) 432-2546 for event schedule
information, to make appointments for
Visitor on Independence Trail
group or school group tours, and to learn
degrees of difficulty of various trails.
ACCESSIBLE FEATURES
Access the park from Edward’s Crossing,
Purdon Crossing, Highway 49 and Bridgeport.
Trails — The 2.21-mile Independence Trail
enables wheelchair users to experience the
adventure of this special park. Trailhead (with
parking and an accessible non-flush restroom)
is located off Highway 49, one mile south of
the first bridge north of Nevada City.
Beach/Shore Access — There is river access to
Rush Creek, but there is no fishing here.
Located on Pleasant Valley Road between
Highway 20 and Highway 49, one parking
space near the Bridgeport Covered Bridge is
van-accessible.
PLEASE REMEMBER
• Poison oak: avoid this native three-leafed
plant that causes a serious rash.
• Hikers should be in good condition for the
trails they plan to hike. Drinking water is
available at the Bridgeport Ranger Station.
• Pay attention to the locations of restrooms.
• Gold-panning is allowed on South Yuba
River public lands. Use your hands and gold
pans only.
• No alcoholic beverages or glass containers.
• Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer
than six feet. Except for service animals,
no dogs are allowed on Family Beach
downstream from the covered bridge.
• There is no camping in the park.
• Natural and cultural features are protected
by law and may not be removed or altered.
•
•
•
•
Fires are not permitted.
Firearms are not permitted.
Respect private property — stay on trails.
No diving. No lifeguards are on duty.
NEARBY STATE PARKS
• Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, 16
miles NE of Nevada City on N. Bloomfield
Rd., (530) 265-2740, 273-3884
• Empire Mine State Historic Park,
10791 E. Empire St., Grass Valley
(530) 273-8522
This park receives support in part from a
nonprofit organization. For information,
contact South Yuba River Park Association,
17660 Pleasant Valley Road
Penn Valley, CA 95946
(530) 432-2546
www.southyubariverstatepark.org