Illinois Crossing is the site of a former Yuba River crossing toll bridge currently located on BLM land a few miles north of the Edwards Crossing bridge. The bridge, built in the mid-1800s, is long gone, but the river bar at its site now has a wide shady primitive campground. The trail to the campground and former crossing site descends from the parking area about 600 feet in elevation over a distance of 1.3 miles. It cuts through quiet forested hills following the South Yuba National Trail before forking off to descend to the campground.
The campground is really just a flat area beneath thick tree coverage with a couple of picnic tables and a short walk to the water's edge. Camping is free, and though there are no posted limitations to camp length, signs in the trailhead parking area warn that cars left longer than 72 hours will be towed. Also, hikers should be aware of the abundance of poison oak growing along the trail.
Aside from trash and a vault toilet at the trailhead parking area, there are no amenities along the trail. However, there is filtered water available in South Yuba Campground, which is located not far from the trailhead.
The road between Edwards Crossing Bridge and the trailhead is up a steep and rutted dirt road. Generally two-wheel drive passenger cars should be able to make the drive if driving carefully, though it may be best to avoid this road following wet weather.
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