Skillman

Campground · California · 17 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Tahoe National Forest (NF) · Open Access

17
Bookable sites
35 ft
Max rig length
up to 12
People per site
4,439 ft
Elevation
Pioneer Trail
Photo: CReed · Recreation.gov

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.

The facts

  • Season: May 22 – October 15 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 17 bookable sites
  • Vehicles up to 35 ft
  • Up to 12 people per site
  • Loops: AREA SKILLMAN

Site types

  • 12 Standard Nonelectric
  • 5 Equestrian Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

17 campsites at Skillman

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
01AREA SKILLMANStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft6 🐾
02AREA SKILLMANStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft6 🐾
03AREA SKILLMANStandard Nonelectric———6 🐾
04 DoubleAREA SKILLMANStandard Nonelectric———12 🐾
05AREA SKILLMANStandard Nonelectric———6 🐾
06AREA SKILLMANStandard Nonelectric———6 🐾
07AREA SKILLMANEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft6 🐾
08AREA SKILLMANStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft6 🐾
09AREA SKILLMANEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft6 🐾
10AREA SKILLMANStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft6 🐾
11AREA SKILLMANEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft6 🐾
12AREA SKILLMANStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft6 🐾
13AREA SKILLMANEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft6 🐾
14AREA SKILLMANStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft6 🐾
15AREA SKILLMANEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft6 🐾
16AREA SKILLMANStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft6 🐾
HOSTAREA SKILLMANStandard Nonelectric————

Getting there

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.

39.31843, -120.79192 · 39°19'6.3"N 120°47'30.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 78°F in Jul, down to 45°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F474548526170787773635145
Low °F343335384654636257483934
Precip in10.610.18.95.14.11.10.00.20.63.67.210.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Skillman

Can you reserve a site at Skillman?
Yes, Skillman is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Skillman have?
17 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Skillman?
35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Skillman?
Yes, pets are allowed at Skillman.
Are campfires allowed at Skillman?
Campfires are allowed at Skillman. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Skillman

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.