River Rock – Basic Gray is a semi-clean, naturally rounded decorative stone available in multiple sizes—¼”, ⅜”, ¾”, and 1½”—and sold by the cubic yard for bulk delivery. This classic gray river rock is one of the most searched and requested landscape materials because it’s neutral, modern, and low-maintenance, working basically in almost any North Bay or Bay Area outdoor design.
 
Naturally tumbled smooth by water, Basic Gray river rock has a softer look than crushed gravel and feels more “finished” in planting beds, walkways, and hardscape borders. The stone’s gray tones typically range from light to medium gray with subtle natural variation, helping it blend with concrete, pavers, modern homes, and drought-tolerant landscapes.
 
Available Sizes & How to Choose the Right River Rock
River Rock – Basic Gray is available in four popular sizes, each suited for different landscape and drainage applications. Choosing the correct size is key for both performance and appearance.
 
¼” River Rock (aka birds-eye)
Fine, smooth texture
Best for small decorative areas, planter boxes, and top dressing
Not ideal for drainage due to tighter spacing
Can shift under foot traffic
Best for: Decorative accents, small beds, visual coverage
 
⅜” River Rock (aka pea gravel)
Slightly larger but still compact and uniform
Provides better stability than ¼”
Works well around plants and in low-traffic areas
Best for: Planting beds, garden borders, light decorative use, walkways, dog run areas.
 
¾” River Rock
One of the most popular sizes
Balanced look with good drainage and stability
Resists displacement better than smaller stones
Best for: Landscape beds, dry creek beds, drainage zones, walkways (with edging)
 
1½” River Rock
Large, bold appearance
Excellent water flow and erosion resistance
Stays in place well, even on mild slopes
Best for: Drainage swales, French drains, dry creek features, erosion control
 
Size Selection Tips
Smaller stones = more decorative, less stable
Larger stones = better drainage, less movement
For high-visibility areas, choose size based on aesthetics
For functional drainage, choose ¾” or larger
If you’re unsure which size fits your project, we’re happy to help you select the right option based on location, use, and traffic level.
 
Coverage, Ordering & Bulk Delivery of Basic Gray River Rock
River Rock – Basic Gray is sold by the cubic yard and delivered loose in bulk, making it ideal for landscape projects of all sizes—from small residential upgrades to larger commercial installations. North Bay Materials specializes in local, driveway-friendly dump truck delivery, saving you time and multiple trips to the yard.
 
Coverage Guidelines (Per Cubic Yard)
Coverage will vary by stone size and installation depth, but general guidelines include:
¼”–⅜” sizes:
~150–160 sq ft at 2 inches deep
¾” size:
~130–150 sq ft at 2 inches deep
1½” size:
~120–140 sq ft at 2 inches deep
 
For most decorative landscape beds, a 2–3 inch depth is recommended. Drainage applications may require deeper coverage depending on design.
 
If you’re unsure how much material you need, our team can help calculate quantities based on your project dimensions.
 
Bulk Dump Truck Delivery
Our small, residential-friendly dump trucks are designed to access tight streets, narrow driveways, and urban job sites—ideal for river rock delivery where larger trucks can’t go.
 
Typical load capacities:
5–7 cubic yards per load (depending on stone size and weight)
We’ll dump the material in a safe, accessible location on your property. Let us know in advance if you have a preferred drop spot.
 
Fast, Local Service You Can Trust
We provide dependable Basic Gray river rock delivery across Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties, serving homeowners, landscapers, contractors, and builders who expect reliable service and quality materials.
 
 
Frequently Asked Questions - River Rock Basic Gray
1. What is River Rock typically used for?
River Rock – Basic Gray is ideal for dry creek beds, drainage swales, French drains, decorative borders, landscape accents, and low-maintenance ground cover projects. Its semi-rounded shape makes it perfect for both functional drainage and aesthetic installations in residential or commercial landscapes.
 
2. How much area does one cubic yard of River Rock cover?
Coverage varies by installation depth:
~150 sq ft at 2 inches deep
~75 sq ft at 4 inches deep
These estimates help determine the exact quantity needed for projects like pathways, creek beds, and planter areas.
 
3. What sizes are available for the Basic Gray River Rock?
This stone is available in ¼-inch, ⅜-inch, ¾-inch, and 1½-inch sizes. Smaller sizes work well for drainage and filler areas, while larger sizes are preferred for decorative borders, dry stream beds, and erosion-control features.
 
4. Does this river rock help with drainage and erosion control?
Yes. River Rock – Basic Gray is naturally water-washed and semi-rounded, allowing excellent water flow. It is commonly used for French drains, drainage swales, and erosion-control channels, especially in areas with heavy runoff.
 
5. Where do you deliver River Rock – Basic Gray?
We deliver this material throughout the North Bay, including:
Marin County - San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley
Sonoma County - Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park
Alameda County - Oakland, Fremont, Hayward
Contra Costa County - Concord, Antioch, Richmond
San Francisco County - All areas
San Mateo County - Daly City, San Mateo, Redwood City
Deliveries are made using dump-truck service with easy scheduling at checkout or using quote request for large bulk orders.