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Skillman
FSU.S. Forest Service — Nevada City · California · Tahoe National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Tahoe National Forest |
| Location | Nevada City · California · Tahoe National Forest · 39.31843, -120.79192 · Map |
| Sites | 17 public sites counted from the federal listing — 12 standard nonelectric; 5 equestrian nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 17 sites Water hookups at 0 of 17 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 17 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 17 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 35 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 12 sites · 30 ft: 5 sites · 35 ft: 5 sites · 40 ft: 0 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 13 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Amenities, as reported | Vault toilets |
| Phone | 530-478-6253 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-03-11.
From the official listing
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.
Directions, from the listing
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.
Nearest federal campgrounds
3 mi straight-line · Camptonville CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceNorth Fork (Ca)
8 mi straight-line · Camptonville CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceTunnel Mills II
9 mi straight-line · Camptonville CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceIndian Springs
12 mi straight-line · Nevada City CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceShirttail Creek
12 mi straight-line · Foresthill California
Trip Card — Skillman
Nevada City · California · Tahoe National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Nevada City · California · Tahoe National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 35 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 17 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234591 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.