Schoolhouse Campground sits on Bullards Bar Reservoir in the North Yuba River drainage, a 4,760-acre lake with over 60 miles of shoreline surrounded by steep, forested slopes. At 2,000 feet elevation, it's a group camping base for water sports and trail access about 21 miles north of Nevada City.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- $20
- 📍GPS
- 39.41808, -121.12083
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 530-478-6253
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
The campground occupies shaded ground in the mixed conifer and hardwood forest that rings Bullards Bar Reservoir. Steep terrain defines the area — the reservoir's sides drop off sharply, limiting shoreline access but creating plenty of overhead canopy at the campsites. This is group camping territory, designed for organized outings rather than individual sites.
The Water
Bullards Bar stretches 16 miles through the canyon, offering year-round fishing for both warm and cold water species. Boating access runs through three launch points: the developed Cottage Creek ramp at Emerald Cove Marina, the Dark Day launch, and an undeveloped site at Moran Road's end. Water skiing and other motorized sports have room to operate on the main body of the reservoir. Swimming spots exist for boaters willing to explore the shoreline, though the steep banks limit easy water access from land.
Trail Access
Five trails branch out from the area, ranging from the 0.7-mile Schoolhouse Trail to the 14-mile Bullards Bar Trailhead route. The 7 Ball Trail covers one mile, 8 Ball Trail runs 3.8 miles, and Rebel Ridge Trail spans 1.6 miles. All offer non-motorized access to the surrounding forest. Trail maps are available at the North Yuba Ranger Station on Marysville Road, a couple miles east of the reservoir.
What to Know
The facility operates unstaffed — contact the main office at (530) 265-4531 for information. Supplies are available at the Emerald Cove Marina or in nearby Camptonville, North San Juan, and Dobbins. The $20 per night group rate makes this an economical option for organized camping, though you'll need to coordinate your own check-in process.