Camp Observer1 of 7 photos
Skillman
Overview
Skillman Campground has individual sites with enough room for parking trucks with trailers. Some of the sites have horse pens and water troughs for horses. It is located in the Tahoe National Forest near Nevada City and three historic mining towns.
Recreation
The Pioneer Trail stretches 25 miles through the Tahoe National Forest and can be accessed from the campground. The popular trail was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2003. Horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing are favorite activities on this popular trail.
Facilities
Two horse pens are in sites 3,7,9,11,13, and 15. Water troughs are found in the campground. Site 4 is a double site and has 4 horse pens. Each single site can accommodate up to six people, four horses and two vehicles.
Natural Features
The campground is situated in a forest of dogwood, cedar and Douglas fir trees, at an elevation of 3,700 feet.
Nearby Attractions
Skillman Campground is located on the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway (Highway 20) near many gold rush era historical sites and old mining towns such as Washington and Nevada City. Nevada City, about 14 miles west, is a scenic historical mining town with many historical attractions, top notch restaraunts, various lodging options, shopping, and stores for everything you may need. Other attractions include the South Yuba River, Washintong Scenic Overlook, Alpha and Omega Scenic Overlook and Interpretive Trail, Rock Creek Nature Trail, Chalk Bluff OHV trails, and Grouse Ridge Non-Motorized Area.Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (530) 265-4531.Charges & Cancellations
No Show Policy
A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival).
* No-show customers are only recorded at staffed facilities. At most remote facilities, all customers are noted as automatically checked-in on the date of arrival.
* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.
* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date.
There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation if the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit some or all of the recreation fees.
There is no change fee if the customer changes campsites that are the same price and on the same reservation dates in the same campground. If the campsite the customer is changing to has a price difference, the customer will be responsible for any additional fees or be provided with a refund, based on the price difference.
Where recorded, no-show customers are assessed a $20.00 no-show fee and forfeit the first night's recreation fee for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use recreation fee for a day-use facility. We recommend customers contact the facility if they are en route to their reservation but cannot make it by the check-in date. In these cases, no refund will be issued, but the facility can ensure that a "no-show" fee is not assessed.
Camp site features
Across 17 camp sites:
- Fire pit: 14 of 17 sites
- Pets allowed: 13 of 17 sites
- Longest rig: 35 ft
- Largest party: 12 people
Directions
From Nevada City, travel east on Highway 20 for 14 miles. Turn right at the
Skillman Campground sign and then left at the first road intersection into the
campground.
From Interstate 80 take exit 161, Highway 20 to Nevada City and drive 13 miles
west toward Nevada City. Turn left at the Skillman Campground sign and then
turn left at the first road intersection into the campground.
Stay Limit
Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Ratings (46)
5 stars
20
4 stars
16
3 stars
2
2 stars
4
1 stars
4
Carrie B
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:09
Reviewed 24 days ago
Nice setting with lots of shade and great trails. It would be perfect if it was a bit more level for horse trailers but well worth the challenge of leveling.
Lisa M
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:05
Reviewed 25 days ago
Well-kept smaller campground with roomy sites and lots of trails nearby. It's close enough to Hwy 20 that you can see & hear vehicles, but there's no cell service. Very convenient location for quick trips.
Bladimir F
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:16
Reviewed a month ago
Very clean and easy campsite near the highway. Bathrooms could use some work and although it states no water connection there was some small water connection for the horses trough that we were able to tap into.
Kristin H
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:07
Reviewed 2 months ago
The campground was immaculate. All sites are great. The trails are all marked very clearly. It was my first time camping at Skillman and I went alone. I didn't have anyone with me to show me the trails. They were so clearly marked that it would be nearly impossible to get lost. There is no cell service at all but that is part of the appeal, at least, for me. The only drawback for this experience was that Highway 20 is right next to the campground and there is A LOT of road noise. If that doesn't bother you, this is a fantastic place to camp with beautiful trails..
Erin G
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:07
Reviewed 2 months ago
Bathrooms need to be fixed up. Even for an outhouse they are in poor condition
Wendy S
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:03
Reviewed 8 months ago
The campsite did not have any water for the two days I was there
Sesi C
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:12
Reviewed 9 months ago
There was an off road bike race the weekend we were there. We left a day early due to crowds and trails that were unsafe for horses due to the 100 or so bikes anticipated.
Mark K
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:07
Reviewed 10 months ago
if skillman had drinking water it would be great or at least a place near by to get water ??????????
also bathrooms were clean.
Usama I
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:06
Reviewed a year ago
Great weather, pretty quiet spot and everyone was respectful, bathrooms could be better, really old and smelly, lots of flies.
Pretty good sized spots, wish they were a little more spread out, overall a solid place to consider
scott j
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:15
Reviewed a year ago
The campground was great for horse camping. I would like to see more water spigots in more of the sites. It's hard to transport water around the camp ground. Also could you get better cell phone service in and around the camp ground in case of an emergence.
Sandy G
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:13
Reviewed a year ago
We stayed in sight number 15. It was a great experience and great spot to camp. This site is flat, easy to park trucks with trailers and easy access to water for our horses. It’s a bit dusty at this point in the season, but overall, we had a wonderful experience!
KELLEY B
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:08
Reviewed a year ago
The campsites are large. There was no potable water available at the time we were there. The site is so beautiful!
Jason S
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:15
Reviewed a year ago
Great equestrian trails right from the campsite. Clean and safe! We will be back! Bring water for yourself, horses have taps.
Emily F
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:11
Reviewed a year ago
Fantastic campground. We brought our horses and a good sized trailer and there was plenty of room. My only complaint is that there were empty non-horse sites (no corrals) but there were folks without horses staying in the horse sites. Maybe you should have to have a horse to stay in the horse specific sites kind of like other horse campgrounds? Just an idea.
Colin A
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:12
Reviewed a year ago
Nice camp site, big spots well spread out so you don't feel like your right on top of your neighbors.
Brenda R
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:07
Reviewed a year ago
Both dumpsters were full and bear box in campsite 6 had a bag of garbage in it. Garbage was emptied the next morning luckily! Trail map posted would be helpful.
Alanna P
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:15
Reviewed 2 years ago
Excellent campground with awesome trails. Bathrooms are clean, and there’s clean water for the 4 leggers. Love that the rangers drive through regularly, I feel safe. Will always go back.
Ryan S
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:04 Double
Reviewed 2 years ago
An incredible amount of bugs that no amount of bug spray could beat. Everybody could see us, zero privacy.
Deborah A
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:13
Reviewed 2 years ago
We camped at spot #13. The spot was huge which was nice because we have a 32gt trailer. This spot has a lot of shade and some hammock trees. It is somewhat close to the bathrooms about a 2 min walk to either one. This spot has a horse area which I am sure would be nice if we had horses. There are a couple hiking or ohv trails you can access from the campground. The horse smell was minimal. I wish there was water to drink or play in so note you must be self contained. Very quiet and only a few people in other spots. Make sure to bring bug spray
Bob and Delene J
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:16
Reviewed 3 years ago
GOOD ALTERNATIVE TO GET AWAY FROM THE MOUNTAIN BIKE CROWD AT WHITE CLOUD CG.
Kathleen L
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:09
Reviewed 3 years ago
Camp is beautifully maintained, quiet and cool. If coming with horses bring lots of hose to get the water to the corrals. The riding trails are shady and very cared for by the Gold Coast Trail Council. Don’t be afraid to ride horses on the trails shared with motorcyclists. They are very considerate of the horses and on the busy 4th of July weekend, we heard them, but never actually saw any on the single track trails
Phillip M
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:02
Reviewed 3 years ago
Very good facilities for camping or day use for horses and horse riding.
Anni H
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:15
Reviewed 4 years ago
Noticed many vehicles coming into camp to use bathroom and dump garbage. 2 non- horse groups camped and didn't pay as pay tube blocked off saying wait for USFS to pick up $. USFS never showed. No reservation card present at my site for 4 days.
Amanda S
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:15
Reviewed 4 years ago
We enjoyed staying at this campground with our two horses. Each camp spot on the perimeter of the campground had two comfortable horse corrals and plenty of room for tents and trailers. The middle camp spots do not have corrals, but you can high line or bring your own. One of the spots had 4 horse corrals. There are three water troughs in the campground for horses, two with hoses. No potable water. There are two dumpsters for manure. You can ride right from the campground with plenty of options and good footing and plenty of trees. Some of the trails are shared with mountain bikers and motorcycles. They are marked and everyone was very courteous on the trail. The only downside is how close it is to the road...road noise. There are plenty of trails that will steer you away from the road noise.
Valerie C
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:15
Reviewed 5 years ago
The pit toilets were a disgrace. The garbage bins (2) were supposed to be emptied on Wednesday. This did not happen and the dumpsters were toooooo Fulllll
Kirk A
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:03
Reviewed 5 years ago
Was a nice area, but no water close by and lots of wasps
Scott Z
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:15
Reviewed 5 years ago
Nice camping spot for equestrian and off-road motorcycle riding. The downside is there are A LOT of meat bees and not much shade in most of the camping spots. There is also a lot of toilet paper on the ground as it appears people driving on highway 20 use the entrance area to the camp as a bathroom (near large logs, trees, etc.). I believe the camp would benefit from having a camp host. Overall, it was a good experience.
Susan R
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:11
Reviewed 5 years ago
This was a great vacation for my horse and I. The trails were fun and exciting. The campground was hardly being used so we had almost the whole place to ourselves. I'll be back!
Shyanne S
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:15
Reviewed 5 years ago
We had a great trip with our horses. The camp was the fullest I've seen it and we had a bear visit so be careful with your food.
Sandy R
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:11
Reviewed 5 years ago
This is a lovely horse camp. The sites are well marked. The description on the website is well done. One of my favoriate horse camps. I will camp there five or six times a year.
Jill M
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:09
Reviewed 6 years ago
I really loved all the shade and the trails were amazing. Could not find water to easily access but we had our own. Beautiful country. Nice horse pens.
Kessler P
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:16
Reviewed 6 years ago
Pretty nice camp ground, i used it mostly as a rest stop for the night and was supprised to see it empty even after it looked fairly full online. Bathroom was a little gross but usable. 8/10 would stay here again
mandy m
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:08
Reviewed 6 years ago
No bear boxes. No trees that could accomodate tying up food. Dodgey considering bears loved the dumpster in front of the camp!
Many flies. Decent campsite spacing, though.
Galyna I
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:08
Reviewed 6 years ago
The restrooms were not cleaned, too much dirty sand within the spot and no running water to wash dishes/hands etc. On the good side the camp is 20 min away from the Scotts Flat Lake
Usama I
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:02
Reviewed 6 years ago
We booked campsite 002 and were pleasantly surprised at the amount of space there was! It was huge!
The bathrooms were pretty dirty and there was no running water, so make sure to bring enough to drink and wash your hands.
There was a water trough on our site, so lots of folks and their horses came by for a drink, everyone was nice so it was no big deal for us.
We didn’t get a chance to hike around there, but the Yuba River was close by, and I recommend going there.
It was pretty hot but there were quite a few trees on our site.
Overall, we really enjoyed staying at the grounds!
Ken B
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:12
Reviewed 7 years ago
It was amazing! We had large group and the sites were perfect. Booking was easy, the place was just great for our needs. We were riding bicycle and the trail access was so easy.
Pamela O
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:09
Reviewed 7 years ago
We had a wonderful time horse camping at Skillman. Beautiful trails and amazing views.
Robin G
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:09
Reviewed 7 years ago
I really enjoyed camping with my horses at Skillman. The paddocks make it easy, the trails are wonderful. I plan to go back as many times as I can this summer.
Lisa C
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:15
Reviewed 7 years ago
This was a nice horse camp. However, be aware it is being over run with bicycle and dirt bike people. The bicycle people book the few sites with horse pens so that horse people can't use them. The dirt bike people park in camping sites for the day and then race around the parking lot before leaving for the trails. It's a shame because this is one of the few horse camps in the area. They need to make having a horse a requirement to camp there (like Pt Reyes) before we get squeezed out (or run over). There is plenty of camping at White Cloud for the bicycles and a large staging area up the road for the dirt bikes. But as usual, there is no enforcement of the rules, so everyone just does what they want.
Jaede M
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:13
Reviewed 7 years ago
We loved horse camping at Skillman Horse Camp! The corrals are safe, the trails are excellent, and the Gold Country Trails Council members led a ride on Saturday so we could learn the trails. It's a perfect horse camp in the Tahoe National Forest. I have only one issue...the water isn't potable because the Forest Service refuses to spend the funds to regularly test the spring water.
Popularity
Quiet · 25%
Busiest in July, when about 25% of sites are booked. Based on 9 years of reservations.
Location
Nevada City, CA 95959
Phone: 530-478-6253
