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Skillman Campground in California
Hard to BookNational Forest

Skillman Campground

Tahoe National Forest, California

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As of October 2026, Skillman Campground is a campground in Tahoe National Forest, California with 14 campsites. Skillman Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Skillman Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Skillman Campground is located at 39.3184ยฐ N, 120.7919ยฐ W.
people allowed on 13 of 14 sites
6
people allowed on the largest site
12

Skillman Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Next Available Dates

Oct 3 (9 sites)Oct 4 (13 sites)Oct 5 (13 sites)

9 sites open on Oct 3 at Skillman Campground. Book one now, or pick your dates above and get an alert when a site opens.

As of 30 September 2026, 06:03 UTC.

Stay and booking rules

  • Maximum stay: 14 nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Skillman Campground, read on September 29, 2026.

Campsites at Skillman Campground

  • Standard 9
  • Equestrian 5

Amenities

  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain.

Things to do: hiking, photography, stargazing, offroad, horse riding.

All sites at Skillman Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the AREA SKILLMAN loop.

SiteTypeSleeps
02Standard6
03Standard6
04 DoubleStandard12
05Standard6
06Standard6
07Equestrian6
08Standard6
09Equestrian6
10Standard6
11Equestrian6
12Standard6
13Equestrian6
15Equestrian6
16Standard6

About Skillman Campground

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.

Rules and notices at Skillman Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Skillman Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

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).

Utility hookups and showers are not available

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 to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site. In the case of motorcycles, the first two are considered one vehicle, and the third and fourth motorcycle are also considered one vehicle. No additional vehicle fees are collected for bicycles.

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.

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.

Skillman Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Skillman Campground?

Skillman Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Skillman Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Skillman Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Skillman Campground have?

Skillman Campground has 14 campsites.

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