Skillman

Show on map530-478-6253
YUBA RIVER RANGER STATION, THIS IS THE ADDRESS FOR THE RANGER STATION, NOT THE CAMPGROUND, 631 Coyote Street
Nevada City, CA 95959

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 RV: 35 ft
  • Largest party: 12 people

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest dump station: 10.2 mi

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

49 reviews
5 stars
22
4 stars
17
3 stars
2
2 stars
4
1 stars
4
Laurie M
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:
Reviewed 24 days ago
Excellent trails, though not well marked. Corrals ok. All our horses would not drink the water in the trough by Campsite 3; something up there. Very pitchy in October, so be prepared for plenty of sap. Overall we had a wonderful experience.
Carol O
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:
Reviewed 25 days ago
Excellent riding trails, campground is spacious and camp sites are large. The only drawback is the highway noise depending on your campsite.
Dana F
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Nice camp. Water was a little remote. Manure dump was inconvenient. Minimal trails. Motorcycle trails were bad for horses.
Sharissa A
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Great horse camp site and more
Carrie B
Loop:Area Skillman
Site:
Reviewed 4 months 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:
Reviewed 4 months 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.
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Season dates

Peak season

May 22, 2027 – Sep 30, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

May 22, 2028 – Sep 30, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

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