Skillman

Star4.20
73 reviews
Skillman Campground, Yuba Donner Scenic Byway, Highway 20, 14 miles east from Nevada City, CA

Quick Facts

3,700 ft

Price

$18 - $36/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Open season begins M...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Tahoe National Forest site

Official Website
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Skillman
$18.00 - $36.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Skillman Campground charges $36 per night for standard non-electric sites during peak season. Equestrian sites are available at $18 per night....
Show more
Standard Site Fee$36.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
530-478-6253
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.20

Satisfactory

Based on 73 reviews

19 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefulshadelocation

Some mention

noiseroad noise

"User reviews for Skillman Campground are mixed, with an average sentiment of 4.08 for general camping and 3.83 for campground-specific experiences. Positive feedback highlights the campground's suitability for equestrian camping, scenic trails, and peaceful ambiance. Negative aspects include maintenance issues, conflicts with non-equestrian users, and road noise."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Skillman Campground, Yuba Donner Scenic Byway, Highway 20, 14 miles east from Nevada City, CA

Skillman

Skillman Campground, Yuba Donner Scenic Byway, Highway 20, 14 miles east from Nevada City, CA

Driving directionsFrom 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.
Accessible via Highway 20, which is generally paved. Noted road noise may be present due to proximity to the highway. Seasonal considerations like fire restrictions may apply.
Nearby places
Nevada City (14 miles, approximately 20 minutes by car), Camptonville (roughly 10 miles away), Scotts Flat Lake (20 minutes away)
Nearby supplies
Nevada City, located 14 miles west, offers restaurants, lodging options, shopping, and stores for essential supplies.

Best Time to Camp at Skillman

Summer transforms Skillman into a sun-dappled retreat where warm, dry days invite long trail rides and evening gatherings around the campfire. The occasional hum of distant traffic serves as a gentle reminder of civilization, while never overwhelming the forest's natural symphony. As winter approaches, the landscape transforms into a snow-dusted wonderland, though accessibility becomes challenging—making spring through fall the prime seasons for your equestrian camping adventure.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Open in summer; warm dry days, great for trail rides though heat, wasps and road noise noted.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Likely excellent for cooler weather, fall colors and fewer crowds; limited explicit review detail.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Opens late May; spring shoulder season limited by opening date and variable conditions.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside May 22–Sep 30; winter camping not available on-site.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 22, 2025 - September 30, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open season begins May 22, 2025, and closes September 30, 2025. Reservations can be made starting June 25, 2025.
  • Current Alerts: Potential fire restrictions during hot weather conditions.

About Skillman

Nestled in the heart of Tahoe National Forest, Skillman Campground beckons to equestrian adventurers seeking the perfect blend of wilderness and horse-friendly amenities. This beloved destination features thoughtfully designed sites with corrals and fresh water troughs, ensuring both riders and their four-legged companions feel right at home. The historic Pioneer Trail winds invitingly nearby, offering endless opportunities for exploration. Each spacious site welcomes up to two vehicles and four horses, creating an ideal basecamp for multi-day riding adventures through the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Skillman Campground caters primarily to equestrian campers, but it also provides standard sites for tent and RV camping.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Official check-in time not specified.
Check-out
Official check-out time not specified.
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Skillman Campground offers diverse recreational opportunities, especially for equestrian enthusiasts. Activities include horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and dirt biking. The nearby Pioneer Trail stretches 25 miles and offers access to forested areas and scenic views.
HikingThe campground connects to the Pioneer Trail, designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2003. The trail spans 25 miles through the Tahoe National Forest and is suited for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
BikingMountain biking is popular on the Pioneer Trail. Some users note conflicts between bikers and equestrians, emphasizing the need to stick to designated trails.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBear activity has been reported; campers are advised to secure food properly. Yellowjackets and other insects may be present.
Active AlertsPotential fire restrictions during hot weather conditions.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Skillman

Reviews

4.2
73 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Skillman is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Skillman Campground are mixed, with an average sentiment of 4.08 for general camping and 3.83 for campground-specific experiences. Positive feedback highlights the campground's suitability for equestrian camping, scenic trails, and peaceful ambiance. Negative aspects include maintenance issues, conflicts with non-equestrian users, and road noise.
Review Summaries
Based on 73 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviews praise the campground's equestrian facilities, including safe corrals and water troughs. The location offers beautiful trails, plenty of shade, and proximity to Nevada City. Some users...
Show more
Based on 73 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative feedback mentions dirty bathrooms, lack of potable water, conflicts between equestrians and bikers, overflowing trash bins, and road noise. One user reported bear activity affecting food...
Show more
Based on 73 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing plenty of water for drinking and washing due to the lack of potable water. Staying on designated trails to avoid dirt bike areas is advised, and checking local event...
Show more
Based on 73 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Many users note the campground being less crowded during late June and July but highlight issues such as heat, wasps, and road noise during peak summer. Winter activity trends include cross-country...
Show more
Based on 73 reviews

Camper Quotes

'Skillman Horse Camp is one of the nicest horse camps in northern California with pines and dogwoods, plenty of corrals, beautiful trails.' - JaedeMilo. 'Bathrooms were pit toilets and at first, we...
Show more
Based on 73 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 4 is noted for being a double site with four horse pens. Site 2 is described as spacious and shaded. Site 15 received mixed reviews, with users praising its horse amenities but citing issues...
Show more
Based on 73 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features for disabled campers are not mentioned in user reviews or authoritative sources.
Based on 73 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed at Skillman Campground, but specific pet-related policies or experiences are not detailed in the reviews.
Based on 73 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Skillman? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in California

Campgrounds
Tahoe National Forest
Skillman