Dru Barner Campground

Nestled within the beautiful Eldorado National Forest, just a few miles from Georgetown, Dru Barner Campground offers a unique blend of serene outdoor living and specific amenities catering to a diverse range of campers. While it is particularly renowned as a haven for equestrians, providing dedicated facilities for horse lovers, this campground also warmly welcomes tent, camper, trailer, and recreational vehicle enthusiasts. For Californians seeking a peaceful escape into the Sierra Nevada foothills, Dru Barner provides a rustic yet equipped setting for reconnecting with nature, exploring extensive trail systems, and enjoying the tranquility of the forest.

Dru Barner Campground stands out for its calm atmosphere and its design that thoughtfully integrates both horse-friendly amenities and general camping provisions. It's a place where the sounds of nature, rather than city noise, dominate the experience. While it offers a back-to-basics camping feel, it provides essential comforts like picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms. It's important for prospective visitors, especially non-equestrians, to be aware of its primary design purpose. However, with 48 campsites, there's ample space for everyone to enjoy the natural beauty. Despite some past concerns about cleanliness and proper site usage, the campground's core appeal lies in its peaceful setting and the wealth of recreational opportunities available in the surrounding national forest. It remains a valuable resource for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a quiet retreat.

Dru Barner Campground is conveniently located on Bottle Hill Rd, Georgetown, CA 95634, USA, approximately 6 miles from the historic town of Georgetown. This positioning places it within the Eldorado National Forest, offering a genuine forest camping experience while remaining accessible. For Californians, particularly those in Northern and Central California, reaching the campground involves a scenic drive through the Sierra Nevada foothills. The main access is typically via Wentworth Springs Road (Forest Road 1), with clear signage leading to the campground.

The elevation of approximately 3,200 feet means that temperatures are often cooler than in the lower elevations, making it an attractive destination to escape summer heat. While the campground is generally open year-round, access roads are not plowed during winter, so visitors should check for snow conditions before planning a winter trip. This ensures that while it offers a remote feel, it's not overly isolated, allowing for relatively straightforward travel. Its proximity to Georgetown also means that basic supplies and local eateries are within a short drive, providing a balance between wilderness immersion and necessary conveniences.

Services Offered:

• Campsites: 48 individual campsites suitable for tents, campers, trailers, and recreational vehicles.
• Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Each camp unit is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring for cooking and campfires (check local fire restrictions).
• Water Faucets: Potable water is distributed throughout the campground (check current availability, as water system outages can occur).
• Restrooms: Includes two-unit flush restrooms with sinks and two vault restrooms in the northern portion of the campground.
• Bear-Proof Food Containers: Six camp units are equipped with large bear-proof food containers.
• Group Kitchen Area: Available for rent, featuring two large barbecue grills, two serving tables, a large fire ring, and 11 picnic tables, suitable for events.
• Equestrian Facilities: Includes four water troughs for horses, hitching posts near some restrooms, and high line posts between campsites. Some camp units also have pipe corrals nearby.
• Waste Disposal: Garbage disposal is available.
• Pet-Friendly: Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash at all times.

Features / Highlights:

• Equestrian-Friendly Design: Specifically designed for horse lovers, offering corrals, water troughs, and direct access to a vast network of equestrian trails, making it ideal for horse camping.
• Peaceful Forest Setting: Nestled in a forest of Ponderosa pine, sugar pine, Douglas-fir, white fir, incense cedar, black oak, and madrone, providing a tranquil and scenic environment.
• Access to Diverse Trails: Provides access to non-motorized trails directly from the campground, and is close to the Rock Creek Trail System, which includes non-motorized, motorized, and multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
• Proximity to Reservoirs: Stumpy Meadows Reservoir is approximately 15 miles east, offering opportunities for water-based recreation such as motorboating (with a 5-mph speed limit), rafting, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and wading.
• Wildlife Viewing: Common wildlife in the area includes turkeys, deer, bears, coyotes, and raccoons, offering opportunities for nature observation.
• Group Event Capabilities: The rentable group kitchen area makes it suitable for larger gatherings, such as horse club barbecues, trail ride staging, or even small weddings.
• Year-Round Camping Potential: While generally open year-round, winter access may be limited by snow, offering a variety of seasonal experiences.
• Close to Gold Rush History: Approximately 16 miles southeast is the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, where the California Gold Rush began, offering historical tours and gold panning demonstrations.

Contact Information:

Address: Bottle Hill Rd, Georgetown, CA 95634, USA (Physical Address: Bottlehill Road (Forest Road 13N58) Georgetown CA 95634)

Phone: (530) 333-4312 (Georgetown Ranger District)

Mobile Phone: +1 530-333-4312

General Information/Main Office: (530) 334-6477 (This location is unstaffed)

Dru Barner Campground is a fantastic option for locals in California, particularly those in the northern and central parts of the state who are seeking a forest retreat with a unique character. While some campers might find the primary focus on equestrian use a slight deviation from traditional camping, it offers a distinct advantage for those with horses, providing dedicated facilities that are hard to come by elsewhere. For non-equestrians, the peaceful setting, well-equipped individual sites, and access to numerous hiking and biking trails still make it a highly desirable destination for a tranquil escape.

The ability to camp year-round (weather permitting), combined with its relatively easy access from major population centers, positions Dru Barner as a convenient choice for spontaneous weekend trips or longer, planned adventures. Despite occasional issues with site cleanliness or the proper use of equestrian-specific areas by non-equestrians, the overall beauty of the Eldorado National Forest, the opportunities for outdoor activities, and the sense of calm provide compelling reasons for locals to visit. It’s a place where you can truly disconnect from the urban grind, enjoy campfires under the stars, and explore the natural splendor of California's forests, making it a cherished spot for many who appreciate a serene and activity-rich outdoor experience.

Dru Barner Campground

Bottle Hill Rd, Georgetown, CA 95634, USA