Gay Day at the Yuba

Gay Day at the Yuba is an annual event where the LGBTQ+ community gathers to frolic, swim, reconnect with old friends, and meet new ones, in a beautiful clothing-optional environment. It is always the first Saturday in August. The location is Hoyt’s Crossing on the South Yuba River, north of Nevada City, California. Please read this entire page to ensure you will have a fun and safe visit.

Directions to Hoyt’s Crossing: From Auburn, take Highway 49 to Grass Valley and Nevada City. Just past Nevada City, you turn left to stay on 49. Continue for another 7 twisty miles and park near the bridge that crosses the river. Yuba River Ambassadors will have a table at the Highway 49 bridge parking lot to provide information and answer questions. Walk upstream on the north/left bank about 1 mile (20 minutes) to Hoyt’s Crossing. You'll know you are there when you see the Hoyt's Crossing sign.

  • Parking at the river is very limited and often gets very full as early as 10 AM. Note that your car may be ticketed and/or towed if you park illegally. If you park along the highway, your car must be completely outside the white lines (tires should not be touching). Also note, if parking along 49 and walking to the bridge, the road mostly has no shoulders, so please exercise extreme caution as there are many blind curves, and traffic moves fast.

  • We are in extreme wildfire conditions so be sure not to park where hot car exhaust pipes touch grass. No BBQs or open flames are allowed, and be very careful if smoking.

  • Carpooling is strongly suggested. You may park for free at the Rood Government Center, 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA 95959, which is off Highway 49 and about 6 miles to the bridge.

  • There is no cell coverage once you start to descend down 49 to the river, and none at the river.

  • Bring all of your own food and water for the day. There are no stores or vendors nearby.

  • Glass is prohibited! It shatters, people bleed, it sucks. Rangers come through regularly and ticket people with glass containers.

  • Alcohol is prohibited at the river by California State Parks. Park rangers will issue citations and ask you to leave

  • BE SAFE! The river has currents that change throughout the day and rocks where eddies can be dangerous and pin you under. Look before you leap. Always swim with a buddy.

  • The Yuba River is held dear by many. Please be sure that anything you bring with you isn't left behind for others to deal with. If you pack it in, please pack it out! Leave no trace. Bring a garbage bag, or get one at the River Ambassador table at the bridge.

  • The trail starts in the South Yuba River State Park, exits the park, and ends at Hoyt’s Crossing which is in Bureau of Land Management land. The state park is NOT clothing-optional. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.

  • Dogs are allowed in California state parks as long as they are on a leash. Be aware though that the hike into Hoyt’s Crossing is about a mile and that there is very little shade at the beach, once there. The sand and rocks can be hot enough to burn paws and the river current can be strong and the rocks slippery. If you bring your dog, be prepared to keep your eye on them at all times, and clean up after them. Doggie bags are available from the River Ambassadors.

  • Although it may seem that everyone’s queer on the beach that day, this is a public area, often with families, and there are people who might not be so happy about getting an eyeful of action from the next blanket. Public sex is illegal and you could be charged as a sex offender. Exercise discretion and good judgment when engaging in any physical activity with others. If you see someone else doing it, please share this information with them to protect our ability to enjoy this clothing-optional area.

    We hope that all visitors to the Yuba will honor these guidelines and be good stewards of the environment, so we may return to enjoy the Yuba River year after year.

    For other events in this area, see https://www.nevadacountypride.org/calendar . Note, Nevada County Pride provides this information as a public service, it does not sponsor the event, and accepts no liability for it.