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Bear River Recreation Area
Welcome to Bear River Recreation Area
Located in Colfax, the Bear River Recreation Area offers a variety of day-use activities from hiking, swimming, fishing, gold panning, and much more! A 3-mile trail network runs through the park’s 200-acre property where wildlife such as deer, porcupines, and squirrels are often seen.
The Bear River Recreation Area is owned by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Recreational amenities are operated by Placer County in partnership with the California Land Management Company which maintains facilities and assists daily visitors.
Bear River Recreation Area is open to the public for DAYTIME USE from one-half hour before sunrise until one half-hour after sunset, seven days a week.
The property is CLOSED TO ALL OVERNIGHT CAMPING.
If you would like to stay informed of public meetings and opportunities for public input on the future of Bear River Recreation Area, please email [email protected] with “Bear River Notification List in the subject line.
Location
2500 Campground Road
Colfax, CA 95713
Day-Use Hours of Operation
1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
Welcome to Bear River Campground
Contact Placer County Department of Parks and Open Space
Phone: (530) 886-4901
Email: [email protected]
Emergency: 911 or Colfax Dispatch (530) 346-2256
- No campfires and no fireworks allowed at any time
- No fireworks allowed at any time
- Trail Length & Use
5 miles of multiple-use trail for horses, bicycles and hikers.

Map
Wireless service is limited, download a map to your mobile device prior to your visit.

Documents
Access FIRE RESTRICTIONS, fee schedules, Placer County Codes, reservation policies as well as deposit and cancellation information and additional information about the Bear River Recreation Area

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Make sure to check out Placer County's Instagram; #bearrivercampground #placerlife
Bear River Multipurpose Trail
Natural History
The Bear River is part of a large network of steams draining the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. It was to these streams and rivers that the pioneers of the 1800's came to seek their fortunes. Although the "Gold Rush" is over, the Bear River is still a valuable mining resource. However, today it is aggregate, not gold, which is taken from the river bed.