Hornswoggle Group Campground
The campground operates seasonally from mid-April through mid-October. The 2026 season opened April 21. Reservations available via Recreation.gov. Bears are active; approved food storage containers required.
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Downieville Downhill Closure Order
Closure of identified forest roads and trails for Downieville Downhill.
Big Chief Sale Closure
This order closes forest system roads and trails within the Big Chief project area. This closure is to provide for public safety while 675 acres of forest are treated to enhance wildfire defense in the area.
Woodchopper Timber Sale Closure
Closure of the Woodchopper project area to allow for timber removal and wildfire risk reduction work.
Boca Stewardship Agreement Closure
Closure of the Boca Stewardship Agreement project area to allow for wildfire risk reduction work.
Cabin Creek Closure
Closure for the Cabin Creek Project area to allow for wildfire risk reduction work.
Rattlesnake Road Closure
Closure of Rattlesnake Road to allow for PG&E to complete the Lake Fordyce Dam Seepage Mitigation Project.
Alpine Meadows Stewardship Agreement Closure
This order closes the Alpine Meadows Project area to allow forest restoration work to take place.
Sugar Pine Roadside Fuel Break Project
Tahoe National Forest contractors are conducting fuels reduction work in the Sugar Pine Reservoir area. Contractors will be masticating ladder fuels to reduce wildfire risk adjacent to North Brimstone Rd (24) between Sugar Pine Rd and Big Reservoir Rd. There may be unexpected hazards such as flying…
Parking Restrictions
Parking or leaving a vehicle is prohibited on Tahoe National Forest where posted.
14-day Camping Occupancy Restrictions
Camping on the Tahoe National Forest is limited to 14 days in a calendar year.
PRESCRIBED FIRE NOTICE: McNair & Quail Landings - 59 acres
Tahoe National Forest is planning to conduct a prescribed burn in the Calpine area, conditions permitting. Smoke will be visible from Calpine, Sierraville, Loyalton and surrounding areas. Smoke may settle overnight in valleys, drainages, and throughout the surrounding communities. Smoke will…
Snow Grooming Updates
Grooming operations have ceased pending new storms. Conditions are more like late April/May than March. Expect running water and thin snow coverage. Trailhead location for Little Truckee Summit staging is currently at the Perazzo turnoff. GROOMING PROGRAM: Snowmobile trail grooming is funded by…
Sierraville Ranger District Trail Closure
Forest Trail 16E87 (Boca-Loyalton Trail) is closed for public health and safety.
Camping and Campfire Restrictions-Truckee and Sierraville Districts
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety and toprotect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Truckee and Sierraville RangerDistricts of the Tahoe National Forest. This Order is effective from July 1, 2025, through…
Highway 20 Area Camping Restrictions
To provide for public safety and to protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Tahoe National Forest.
14-day Camping Occupancy Restrictions
Camping on the Tahoe National Forest is limited to 14 days in a calendar year.
Hoke Valley- Forest Road 860-07 (17E11 Trail) Closed
Forest Road 860 -01 (17E11 Trail) in the Hoke Valley area has been closed to allow for Hoke Valley Meadow restoration.
About
Hornswoggle Group Campground is a group-only facility located on Marysville Road in the Tahoe National Forest, serving as a base for recreation at Bullards Bar Reservoir. The campground features five standard group sites (Dogwood, Sugarpine, Manzanita, Ponderosa, Madrone) accommodating up to 25 people each, plus the larger Douglas Fir site which handles up to 50 people and includes an RV parking area. All sites have fire rings, picnic tables, and bear storage boxes. The reservoir offers over 16 miles of water and 60 miles of shoreline for boating, waterskiing, swimming, and year-round fishing. Dark Day boat ramp is just half a mile away, with Cottage Creek boat ramp three miles out. A network of non-motorized trails surrounds the area, including the 7 Ball, 8 Ball, Rebel Ridge, and Schoolhouse trails. Supplies are available at the marina and in Camptonville, North San Juan, and Dobbins. Bears frequent the area; all food must be stored in approved bear-resistant containers. Check-in is at 2:00 PM, check-out at noon, with quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Directions
From Nevada City, travel approximately 20 miles on Highway 49 to Marysville Road. Turn left on Marysville Road and continue 4 miles to the campground, located across from Schoolhouse Campground.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $88 - $155 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 50ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (530) 478-6253 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov | |
| Tahoe NF Hornswoggle Info |
Availability
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