By:
Submission
Bullards Bar Reservoir is located on the North Yuba River at an elevation of 2000 feet. It is located approximately 21 miles north of Nevada City, California. It has a maximum surface area of 4,760 acres and a length of over 16 miles and shoreline of more than 60 miles.
Activities include wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, boating, water skiing, and other water sports. Swimming opportunities are limited because of the steep slopes; however boaters will find numerous opportunities for swimming in various locations around the reservoir. The reservoir provides yearlong fishing opportunities for both warm and cold water fish species. Supplies are available at the marina as well as the nearby communities of Camptonville, North San Juan, and Dobbins.
Public access for boating and recreation is limited to 2 developed and 1 undeveloped boat launches: the Cottage Creek Boat Launch ramp at Emerald Cove Marina, the Dark Day Boat Launch ramp, and the undeveloped site at the end of Moran Road. The area includes 5 campgrounds, 2 picnic areas, 2 boat launch ramps, 1 marina, 1 overlook, 1 day use area and several developed hiking trails.
The sides of the reservoir are generally steep and public access for boating and recreation is limited. The reservoir is surrounded by both conifer and hardwood forests with numerous brush species. There is plenty of shade at the campsites
There is a beautiful non- motorized trail system in the area, with 5 different trails to choose from. Bullards Bar Trailhead is 14 miles, 7 Ball Trial is 1 mile, 8 Ball Trail is 3.8 miles, Rebel Ridge Trail is 1.6 miles and Schoolhouse Trail is 0.7 miles. Maps are available at the North Yuba Ranger Station just a couple miles east of the reservoir on Marysville Road.
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.
If you want to be near the water and you don't have a boat don't go here. You are no where near the water. They have no lights on for any of the bathrooms, it's completely pitch dark, bring plenty of flashlights. No camp host and there was no store to get anything near by.
I might look like a kid from the profile picture but im not/
Schoolhouse Campground is a nice campground, with a lake only 1.27 miles away! (yes I measured that)
You can actually have 2 types of campsites:
normal site: $24 a night
double site: $48 a night
Normal sites has a bear locker, decent sized driveway, picnic bench and a campfire.
Double sites have 2 bear lockers, mostly a driveway that will still connect to the Main Road, or how do I describe this, the path to enter and exit the campground. Ah well I will need to upload some photo.
This campground is dog friendly, and the restrooms are okay, except for one that was out most of the trip up there July 2023.
Usually the bears are up after 10PM, so people are quiet at that time, generators off, and just quiet, although you might get a few people who party, and make loud noise.
Overall, great site, I miss jerry, and you can bring up things such as golf carts and drive around.
Would Recommend, sorry if this review is a little crazy, I typed this in a rush, also cuz my keyboard is kind of bad.
Stayed the very last week that they were open for the season. The CG is really nice. The sites seem well spaced. There is downed (cut) trees and logs everywhere, so firewood was in abundance, but I think there was a fire ban. The lake is a good 1/2 mile hike from the CG, but it's on a very nice trail. I caught a bunch of bass and bluegill, so fishing was good.
I can see, however, where this CG would be a zoo in the prime season. And, I'm sorry to say, it's the campers IMO that are, well, the weekenders who are extremely selfish. One of my neighbors decided to put his generator facing my site, even though the one on the opposite side was vacant. He then ran his generator ALL day long, and well past "quiet" hours. My neighbors on the other side of me (only 10% of the sites were occupied...of course both next to me were also) had three big dogs...never restrained. They ran right through my site, riling up my dogs. The three dogs probably don't know what a leash is. I have a story for those of you who never restrain your "friendly" dogs: I met, at a campground, a combat veteran, about 30 years old. I met him because we were watching an off-leash dog roam the CG. He told me that he was attacked during combat by a dog (he showed me his scars) and that his PTSD kicked in when he saw off leash dogs. So, to those of you selfish people - keep this in mind: do you WANT to risk causing anguish to someone? How about the moms who fear for their kids? My dogs have been attacked three times by off leash dogs. ALL campgrounds have leash rules.
Nice sites. Many aren't very level, something to watch out for if you have multiple tents. Most sites have a good amount of shade. Bathrooms are toilets and sink only, kept fairly clean. Nearby hiking has great views on the reservoir. Make sure to bring plenty of mosquito repellent.
I have been camping at Schoolhouse for more than 20 years and many people who come here will say the same. It’s shady and close to the lake and perfect if you have a boat. The bathrooms have running water but it’s primitive which is fine with me. Some sites are better than others so a little diligence will improve your experience. There was a time where rowdy campers could spoil an enjoyable evening but the sheriff has slowed that issue down. The biggest nuisance now are the loud generators from the guys in trailers and I’m not sure how to solve that problem. There is also a bear who likes to raid poorly stored food though he is more entertaining than problematic. One time we saw the bear steal our neighbors camp chair. Funny for us. Not for them.
Michael Delehanty
Compass Real Estate.
