Campground Questions
No, your group will have exclusive use of the entire camping area, including the kitchen and bathhouse.
Yes, guests need to bring their own tents and all sleeping gear. We DO NOT provide any tents or camping gear for our guests. The yurt is fully furnished for sleeping (2 beds with linens) and available for rent.
About 8-10 large tents can fit inside the camping compound. However, there are additional areas outside the camping area for use, including RV pads (for an additional charge) with full to partial hookups. There are NO RVs permitted inside the fenced camping area, just tents.
Here are the most often forgotten personal items:
- Large beach towels for the river, and river items
- Flip flops and water shoes
- Flashlights
- Mosquito repellent
- Sun Screen
- Coffee and teas, all other food items
- Folding lawn chairs
- Sleeping bags, pillows, blankets for those not sleeping in beds
WiFi and electricity are available at the kitchen and bathhouse for charging phones, etc. There is NO electricity nor WiFi through-out the campground. If you add on the yurt to your camping rental ($125/night), the yurt has basic electricity for those that would like a bit more comfort. The yurt has 1 full bed and a queen sofa bed (bedding included), lights and a power strip (no WiFi). Yurt guests must use the bathhouse for showers and toilets though.
Dogs are allowed within the fenced group camping area off leash. When outside the fenced camping area, they must remain on a lease and on the campground property only (not the Retreat Center grounds). There is a $35 charge/dog/visit under 35 lbs. Dogs over 35 pounds must be approved in advance and a fee of $50 will be charged. Dogs are not to be left unattended during the day in the campground. Owners are responsible for clean-up after their pets and solely responsible for the behavior of their dogs. If any Aggressive behavior will not be tolerated, and may result in the eviction of the dog(s) and dog’s owners.
The campground kitchen has a 4-burner gas stove with oven, 2 full-sized refrigerators, and a triple sink. Also provided are plenty of washable plastic plates, glasses and bowls; pots and pans, serving bowls, utensils, coffee maker, and slow cooker. We DO NOT provide any cooking ingredients, coffee, spices or ice. Please bring all your own food ingredients, and you are responsible for washing all dishes and basic kitchen clean-up.
Outside, there is a BBQ grill and 2 large wooden tables with benches for group meals.
The kitchen has 2 full-sized refrigerators with freezer for your food. If you need bagged ice, it is available 1/4 mile down the road at the Super Stop gas station. We recommend, however, you load up in Grass Valley or Nevada City as you pass through to Willow Springs.
Yes, there are 2 private hot showers, 2 private flush toilets, and 2 community sinks in the bathhouse. Please bring your own towels, soap, and personal toiletries. Toilet paper is provided.
Maybe not worry but you must proactively prevent it. We have had visits from skunks, raccoons, foxes and bear; even mountain lion are around so you must be aware. The fenced area may help discourage wild animals but you should make precautions by putting food in closed containers and safely put away at night. Our trash policy was developed because of issues with wild animals (and dogs).
Campground groups are provided with 5 metal trash cans, and 3 blue plastic recycling cans. Because odors from food attracts wild animals, all food waste should be placed inside the designated compost buckets and placed inside the kitchen at night. Trash must be contained within the black plastic garbage bags inside the metal cans with the lids tightly secured. Please keep any chains on cans in place to prevent animals from tipping cans over. Empty recycling goes inside the blue plastic recycling bins. If more trash cans are required, just ask although a $10/can disposal fee will be assessed.
So sorry – we DO NOT have a hot tub at the Campground. The hot tub at the Lodge is for the exclusive use of the Lodge guests. If your group elects to rent both the Lodge and Campground, we would need to come to an agreement about its use by those staying in the Campground, depending on the number of people in your group.
Yes, there is a large bon fire pit in the campground. Occasionally CalFire bans outdoor fires due to extreme fire danger, and in that situation fires are not an option. You can bring your own firewood or feel free to gather dead and down wood on the 14 acre grounds. There is poison oak in the woods so beware. Bring your own axe and/or small chainsaw if desired. Fires must attended at all times, and extinguished with the water when campers retire for the evening. Some chairs are provided, but it’s recommended to bring your own folding chairs as well.
There are 2 large wooden tables with benches for group meals. There are also several more plastic picnic tables at various sites in the campground. There are two water spigots inside the campground as well.
No, sorry but the campground does not have laundry facilities at this time.
Due to restrictions by CalFire, smoking is ONLY allowed at the gravel picnic table area in front of the Community Kitchen. Cigarette butts MUST be placed in the designated container and NOT on the ground, or an additional clean-up fee will be added. Failure to abide by these local CalFire safety rules may result in the eviction of your entire group and enforced by the local authorities.
You can play music in the evenings but not excessively loud. Quiet hours are 11 pm to 8 am