Camper submitted image from Schoolhouse Campground (CA) - 1

View Photos

Camper submitted image from Schoolhouse Campground (CA) - 2
Camping
Camper submitted image from Schoolhouse Campground (CA) - 3
Nature
Camper submitted image from Schoolhouse Campground (CA) - 4
People
Camper submitted image from Schoolhouse Campground (CA) - 5
Water
Unlock Planning Tools in App

Established Camping

Schoolhouse Campground (CA)

Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect

There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Attention Campers - Due to the discovery of golden mussels in California, watercraft inspections are now required prior to launching all watercraft at Cottage Creek and Dark Day Boat Launches. Please clean, drain and dry your boats BEFORE you arrive and after every waterbody, every time. Thank you for your assistance protecting the reservoir!

Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place on the Tahoe National Forest beginning August 22, 2025 due to increasing fire danger. Please visit the link below to review Forest Order 17-25-08 and to view a list of authorized hosted campgrounds where fires (in established metal fire rings) are allowed and to review additional prohibitions:https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/tahoe/alerts/stage-2-fire-restrictionsIndividuals with a valid campfire permit may use a portable campfire ring/pit, stove, or lantern in an area at least three feet from any flammable materials provided that the portable campfire ring/pit, stove, or lantern only burns gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel and has a with a shut-off valve. Campfire permits are free and available online at permit.preventwildfiresca.org or in-person at Tahoe National Forest Visitors Centers.

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Schoolhouse Campground, near Bullard's Bar Reservoir in California, is a lively spot that caters to both tent campers and RV enthusiasts. With spacious sites and a mix of shady areas, it’s a great place to kick back, though you might want to bring your earplugs if you’re sensitive to noise—generators can be a common soundtrack here.

The campground is well-maintained and offers essential amenities like clean restrooms and bear boxes, which are a must in this area. Visitors have highlighted the nearby hiking trails and the stunning views of the reservoir, making it a solid choice for those who enjoy outdoor activities. One camper noted, “The campsites are shady and spacious, awesome hiking trail nearby, bathrooms were clean, and the reservoir was beautiful!”

If you’re into boating, you’ll find this campground particularly appealing, as it’s just a short drive to the boat ramp. However, keep in mind that direct access to the water from the campground isn’t available, so plan accordingly. Families will appreciate the large sites that allow for some privacy, and there are plenty of trails for hiking or biking nearby.

Just remember, this isn’t the place for a quiet retreat. As one reviewer put it, “If you are looking for a quiet campground, definitely not this.” But if you’re ready for some fun and adventure, Schoolhouse Campground has plenty to offer.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Schoolhouse Campground (CA) is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Nevada City, California, travel approximately 20 miles on Highway 49 to Marysville Road, turn left onto Marysville Road and travel approximately 4 miles to Schoolhouse Campground.

Address

approximatley 4 miles from the intersection of Highway 49 and Marysville Road
CA

Coordinates

39.41807778 N
121.1208333 W

Open in Google Maps

Is Schoolhouse Campground (CA) sold out?

Quickly grab cancellations!

Learn More
Presented byT Mobile

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations


2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

15%
58%
29%
0%
0%

4.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 7, 2022

Busy!

We’ve stayed at both Dark Day and Schoolhouse. Schoolhouse is definitely busier and louder. It’s mixed RV and tent with no RV power so the generators are loud and you’ll be surrounded by them. The parking spots are large enough to fit your boat and tow vehicle so getting to and from the lake isn’t awful. Prefer Dark Day to schoolhouse but we will stay at either.

Site7 & 8
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed May. 16, 2022

Awesome stay

Pretty busy spot but the campsites are shady and spacious, awesome hiking trail nearby, bathrooms were clean, and the reservoir was beautiful!

Site44d
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Schoolhouse Campground (CA) by Jordan L., May 16, 2022
  • Review photo of Schoolhouse Campground (CA) by Jordan L., May 16, 2022
  • Review photo of Schoolhouse Campground (CA) by Jordan L., May 16, 2022
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2021

Hot Smoky summer nights

Aside from the smoke and the heat these campsites are very spacious and wide open. Bear boxes are a must if you don’t want the big guys in your camp. We never had an issue but many other campers did. Lake level is definitely low but that was to be expected with the lack of rain this year.

Site43
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Schoolhouse Campground (CA) by Travis C., August 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Schoolhouse Campground (CA) by Travis C., August 1, 2021
Reviewed Jun. 28, 2021

Nice campground

This campground is great if you have a boat. There is no access to the reservoir. We had to drive to Dark Day Campground to get close to the water. From there, we had a bit of a hike to reach the water. There is no paved trail to get to it. From the parking lot, we just went in from any opening going to the woods. There is no beach area as well. Mostly we saw a bunch of teenagers who were diving and hanging out on their floaters. The view and scenery was beautiful but it’s not really for swimming unless you have a boat. Also, my kids did not enjoy the mosquitoes and bears. If you are looking for a quiet campground, definitely not this. People arrive late at night and past midnight and lots of generator noises as well. A lot of yelling and late night parties as well.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Schoolhouse Campground (CA) by Maria O., June 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Schoolhouse Campground (CA) by Maria O., June 28, 2021
Reviewed Jun. 19, 2021

Nice campground and great boating reservoir

Overall the campsite was great and well maintained. The sites are mostly level but RV parking is *tight*. While the space was long enough for our 35 ft trailer and truck the pad was narrow and there are a lot of rocks to maneuver around. We were barely able to open our slide and drop the stairs due to the amount of large rocks on each side of the pad - it took a bit of maneuvering but we managed.

Lake access is nonexistent from the campground but is a 2-3 minute drive to the dock. We do not have a boat but brought out paddleboards and kayaks to explore. The ramp access is often crowded and there is little to no beach area around the boat ramp. The water level is really low but warm and overall very nice once you can access the water. 

We ended up leaving a day early from our trip for various reasons but overall a nice place to camp.

Site21
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed May. 30, 2021

Only good for boating

Schoolhouse campground is on Bullard’s Bar Reservoir. The reservoir is gorgeous to look out at but the bank all the way around is very steep. From the campground there is no easy access to the water. We were looking forward to spending some time in the water but learned that we could only do that by renting a boat. If you have a boat or want to rent a boat this reservoir is perfect. If you want walk up access to the water while camping, this is not the campsite for you. The campground had flush toilets, large bear bins, dogs were allowed, and was lovely all around. The grounds were well maintained and had access to walking trails. The closest store was at Collins Lake up the road where they also sold firewood. The camp host was not very accommodating for fire wood at Schoolhouse. I would go back to Schoolhouse if I wanted to rent a boat!

Site21
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Schoolhouse Campground (CA) by Isabel C., May 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Schoolhouse Campground (CA) by Isabel C., May 30, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 2, 2018

Perfect spot for family camping

This campground was great. We just spent 4 days out there and got to see a little of everything. The campground itself has large spaces, perfect for your own privacy. If you like to hang out by your trailer under an awning, these spots are tough because there are large rocks blocking the parking area that separates you from the rest if the campsite, but other than that it's great. There are trails for hiking or mountain biking. You are minutes from Bullards Bar which is one of the most beautiful lakes around. I definitely suggest a day trip to the lake. You can rent a boat for the day or even a houseboat. You are also just 10 minutes away from the Oregon Creek day area of the Yuba River. It gets crowded, so get there early if you want to stake out a spot, but it's beautiful and so much fun for the kids. If you want more of a beachy area, Collins Lake is also just 15 minutes away and they have a nice beach as well. This is bear country so we had a nightly visitor, the bear boxes are there for a reason so use them! We had site 10 and had family in all the rest of the sites around that circle and it worked out great! I would definitely return.

Site10
Month of VisitJune

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities and facilities are available at Schoolhouse Campground?

Schoolhouse Campground offers spacious, shaded campsites with bear boxes for food storage. The campground features clean bathrooms and is well-maintained throughout. Each site has parking space for vehicles and boats. While the campground provides privacy between sites, there are large rocks that may limit setup space in some areas. A hiking trail is located nearby for recreational activities. The campground does not have RV hookups or direct water access, so visitors should plan accordingly with supplies and water recreation expectations.

Do I need reservations for Schoolhouse Campground at Bullards Bar?

Yes, reservations are recommended for Schoolhouse Campground, especially during peak seasons when it becomes quite busy. This is a popular destination for boaters and campers, making it difficult to secure a spot without advance planning. To ensure you get your preferred campsite, make reservations through the official reservation system. Contact the campground management or check their official website for the most current reservation policies and availability.

Where is Schoolhouse Campground located at Bullards Bar Reservoir?

Schoolhouse Campground is situated along Bullards Bar Reservoir, offering scenic views of the water. The campground itself sits above the reservoir with no direct water access from the campground due to steep banks. To reach the water, many campers drive to nearby Dark Day Campground which offers closer water access, though still requiring a short hike. The location is ideal for those with boats as there is ample parking for both vehicles and watercraft at the campsites.

Is Schoolhouse Campground suitable for RV camping?

Schoolhouse Campground accommodates RVs but with some limitations. The sites can fit larger rigs (up to 35-foot trailers have been reported), but parking pads are narrow with rocks that can make maneuvering challenging. There are no hookups available, so generators are common and contribute to noise levels. RV campers should note that setting up slides and stairs may be tight in some spots. The campground is busier and louder than nearby alternatives like Dark Day, making it better suited for RV campers who don't mind a more active atmosphere.