How much does camping cost at Skillman?

Camping fees at Skillman range from $18-$36/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Skillman first-come first-served or reservation?

Skillman accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Skillman before I book?

Yes! Skillman has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Skillman?

Skillman is open May 22 to September 30. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Skillman?

Skillman does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Skillman have?

Skillman has 16 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Skillman?

Yes, pets are allowed at Skillman. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Skillman?

Skillman offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Skillman?

Popular activities at Skillman include Hiking, Biking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Skillman

Q: Can I have a campfire at Skillman?

Fire policies at Skillman: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the Yuba River Ranger District (530) 288-3231 (voice), (530) 288-3656 (TDD).. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.09

73 reviews

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

Featured in:RV Camping California

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

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

Book on Tahoe National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

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

Book on Tahoe National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Skillman

$18.00 - $36.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Double Site: $36.00; EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC: $18.00; Single Site: $18.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

530-478-6253

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Skillman

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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

Nearby places

Nevada City (14 miles, approximately 20 minutes by car), Camptonville (roughly 10 miles away), Scotts Flat Lake (20 minutes away)

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.

Weather at Skillman

Current alerts(6)

Click here for more information on the Tahoe National Forest
Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
First-come, first-served sites may be available through late September
In accordance with standard industry practices, Tahoe National Forest will assess an additional $5 vehicle fee per day for the second vehicle in each single family campsite, and on the third and fourth vehicle in any double family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined…

Best Time to Camp at Skillman

Best season: summer. Summer offers warm, dry days (typical highs around 70–85°F, nights in the 40s–50s) ideal for long horseback rides, hiking and mountain biking along the Pioneer Trail and surrounding ridges. Equestrian amenities — corrals and troughs — are fully usable and water is reliable, while overall trail conditions are at their best and wildflower/understory bloom lingers into early summer. Expect moderate to busy weekends (holiday weekends busiest), so reserve a site for July–August and plan midweek trips Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer is best: 70–85°F, reliable trough water, trails dry; but weekends book up and wasps noted.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to September 30. 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.

About Skillman

Skillman is a small, equestrian-focused campground in Tahoe National Forest, 14 miles from Nevada City in the Sierra foothills. Operated by the Forest Service, it features corrals, water troughs, and direct access to the Pioneer Trail system for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. The campground offers shaded tent and RV sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, drawing riders and trail users seeking a base camp for multi-day backcountry exploration.

Skillman Campground caters primarily to equestrian campers, but it also provides standard sites for tent and RV camping.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers warm, dry days (typical highs around 70–85°F, nights in the 40s–50s) ideal for long horseback rides, hiking and mountain biking along the Pioneer Trail and surrounding ridges. Equestrian amenities — corrals and troughs — are fully usable and water is reliable, while overall trail conditions are at their best and wildflower/understory bloom lingers into early summer. Expect moderate to busy weekends (holiday weekends busiest), so reserve a site for July–August and plan midweek trips Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation3700 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryDouglas fir and cedar dominate the canopy, with dogwoods blooming white in the understory each spring. The campground occupies a transition zone where foothill and mountain species mix. Shade is plentiful. The surrounding terrain rolls gently, shaped by ancient volcanic activity and erosion into ridges and valleys typical of this part of the Sierra Nevada. You're close enough to hear road noise from nearby pavement, but the forest still feels intact.

Lodging & AccommodationsSkillman Campground offers camping amenities for equestrian and standard campers but does not include lodge-style accommodations.

Programs & ActivitiesThe campground does not offer cultural or educational programs.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Each single site can accommodate up to six people.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityAccessibility features for disabled campers are not explicitly stated in the provided information.

Site SizeCampsite sizes range from standard to double sites. Site 4 is a double site and has room for four horses and two vehicles.

PrivacyUser reviews describe decent campsite spacing with some privacy but note occasional disturbances from nearby road noise.

Total Campsites16 campsites

Recommended SitesEquestrian visitors should choose perimeter sites for corrals and space. Site 4 is ideal for larger groups with four corrals.

Best CampsitesSites 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 all have horse corrals. Site 4 is a double site with room for four horses and two vehicles.

Need help booking Skillman?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Utility hookups and showers are not available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

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.

Hiking

Biking

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

Fire PolicyFire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the Yuba River Ranger District (530) 288-3231 (voice), (530) 288-3656 (TDD).

Trash & RecyclingThe campground provides trash collection with dumpsters available for horse manure disposal. Some user reviews mention issues with overflowing bins.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Skillman

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From Booking Sources

4.1

73 reviews

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

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 73 reviews.

Site 2Loved
Site 2 is described as spacious and shaded.
Site 4Mentioned
Site 4 is noted for being a double site with four horse pens.
Site 15Issues noted
Site 15 received mixed reviews, with users praising its horse amenities but citing issues such as wasps and trash.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

You're bringing horses or want direct trail access in the Sierra foothills near Nevada City.

Skip if

You need potable water on-site or want to avoid road noise and multi-use trail conflicts.

Nearby Campgrounds

Tahoe National Forest

White Cloud sits in the mid-elevation forest of Tahoe National Forest near Nevada City, operated by the U.S. Forest Service. This moderately sized campground offers tent, RV, primitive, and group camping with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Spacious, shaded sites provide trailhead access for hiking, with fall bringing the best weather and fewer crowds.

Skillman

Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Plan a trip to Skillman

Campground Map

Weather at Skillman

Current alerts(6)

Best Time to Camp at Skillman

Planning Tips

About Skillman

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Skillman?

Amenities available

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Go if

Skip if

Overview

About the campground

Seasons & access

RV information

Directions

Plan a trip to Skillman

Current alerts(6)

Best Time to Camp at Skillman

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Skillman?

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns