Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is teep, rugged South to provide for the health, inspiration and S education of the people of California by helping canyons hide a Yuba River to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and richness of historic State Park cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. sites and a turquoise green river that knows few bounds — South Yuba River State Park California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with is as exciting as the disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (530) 432-2546. If gold that still glimmers you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected]. along its riverbanks. 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

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