The Bear River is a tributary of the Feather River in the Sierra Nevada, winding through four California counties: Yuba, Sutter, Placer, and Nevada.

The river originates in Tahoe National Forest south of the South Fork Yuba River and north of the North Fork American River. It begins south and west of Lake Spaulding (Reservoir). The river travels southwest and is impounded at Rollins Reservoir, Lake Combie (Reservoir), and Camp Far West Reservoir before joining the Feather River south of Yuba City/Marysville.

38°56′23″N 121°34′51″W / 38.9396182°N 121.5807947°W