New Bullards Bar Reservoir
New Bullards Bar Reservoir has been tagged as one of the top recreation lakes in the country, especially for water sports. The lake offers boating, camping, all varieties of water activities, mountain biking, and hiking. Houseboats, personal watercraft, ski boats, sailboats, and a dozen other types of vessels enjoy the smooth water at Bullards Bar.
New Bullards Bar Reservoir is located in the Sierra foothills of Yuba County about 90 miles north of Sacramento and just a few miles southeast of Lake Oroville. Warm summer temperatures make it an ideal place for wake boarding and water skiing. Fishing for Kokanee salmon is among the best in the state.
Boating
New Bullards Bar Reservoir welcomes all kinds of boating from darting jet skis to gliding houseboats. Two free boat ramps provide quick access to the water. Although not as large as its neighbor Lake Oroville, Bullards Bar has plenty of room for water skiing, houseboating, and fishing.
Marinas
New Bullards Bar Reservoir has only one marina, but it offers a great variety of boat rentals and full boating services. Emerald Cove Marina manages the lake from its boating activities to campgrounds.
Fishing
New Bullards Bar Reservoir is known for Kokanee salmon. Fishing is usually best in the spring and fall, but with a lake stocked with Eagle Lake rainbow trout, it's hard not to catch something any time of year. Bass tend to be small, but they put up a good fight on light tackle.
Campgrounds
New Bullards Bar has a fair number of campgrounds. The largest is Schoolhouse. Little Dark Day Campground is on a peninsula close to a launch ramp. In addition, there is a group campground and a pair of boat-in campgrounds. RV camping nearby is good at several excellent locations
Lodging
New Bullards Bar Reservoir has no lodging right at the lake. To find hotels, motels, and resorts involves driving, either southeast to Nevada City and Grass Valley or southwest to Marysville and Yuba City. A couple of nearby private RV parks and campgrounds offer cabins.
Scenery
New Bullards Bar Reservoir is a beautiful destination. Thick pine forests line the winding shoreline. A towering 645-foot dam, second tallest in California, holds back the Yuba River. Inlets and coves offer interesting places to explore and to anchor houseboats.
Nearby Communities
New Bullards Bar Reservoir is close to the little communities of Camptonville and Dobbins. The Gold Rush town of Camptonville is home to about 150 people. It has a gas station/ convenience store and a saloon. Dobbins has a general store, post office, and a couple of churches. Twenty-five miles away is Nevada City and another 2 miles after that takes you to Grass Valley where you will find most services and amenities. To the southwest 36 miles is Marysville.
