Camptonville

Camptonville: The Little Town That Could

Camptonville began as a Gold Rush settlement called Gold Ridge after gold was discovered nearby in 1850. When its first post office opened in 1854, the community was renamed for Robert Campton, the local blacksmith. Located along the historic Henness Pass Road, the town became a lively stopping place for miners, freight wagons and travelers crossing the Sierra.

When the Gold Rush faded, Camptonville did not disappear. The surrounding forest replaced mining as an important part of the local economy, and the community adapted while preserving its independent mountain character. Today, reminders of its early history remain among the wooded roads and historic buildings of this small Yuba County town.

Camptonville proudly calls itself “The Little Town That Could,” and the name fits. Neighbors have worked together for generations to sustain their school, volunteer organizations, community center and locally written Camptonville Courier. The Camptonville Community Partnership continues that tradition by supporting education, health, local services and responsible stewardship of the surrounding forest.

Set amid tall pines and mountain scenery, Camptonville offers a slower and more self-reliant way of life. Nearby lakes, rivers, trails and public lands invite fishing, hiking, boating and exploration, while Nevada City and Downieville are within reach for additional shopping, dining and recreation. Camptonville is small in size but rich in history—a resilient mountain community whose greatest resource has always been the people willing to care for it.