If you’ve been camping, hiking, or swimming in the federally-owned China Bar area along the South Yuba River recently, you’ve seen new warning signs regarding the Purdon Crossing parking lot, which is owned by the State Parks Department. The Chief Ranger for the Sierra District, Matthew Green, says hours are now limited to 7am to Sunset, except for two designated spaces. And, starting Fourth of July weekend, rangers will start issuing citations…

click to listen to Ranger Green

Green says the new regulation will allow the two spaces for 72-hour parking for people accessing China Bar camping…

click to listen to Ranger Green

Green says Nevada County also has a new regulation that allows them to crack down more on parking along the access road. He says the lot is often full by the noon hour during the summer recreation season, especially on weekends. But he says a lot of the parking along the road has made it difficult for emergency vehicles to get to the lot.