Dru Barner Campground

El Dorado National Forest  District:  Georgetown Ranger District

7.5 miles east of Georgetown on  Wentworth Springs Road (Main Street)

  • Day use fee:  $3.00
  • Overnight camping fee:  $8.00
  • Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov.

There are 40+ campsites, some with permanent horse corrals.  Bring portable corrals or highline.  Picnic tables and fire rings at most campsites.    Flush toilets .   No showers .  No hook-ups , no dump station.   Non-potable water – For horses only.  Faucets for filling water buckets are scattered throughout campsite (no hose attachment).

Campground elevation approximately 3,200 feet.  Dogs must be on leash at all times.  Spread horse manure before leaving camp

Directions

Print Directions to Dru Barner

Dru Barner Equestrian Park is located on the middle western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains between Auburn (Hwy 80) and Placerville (Hwy 50), about 1 ½ hours east of Sacramento. There are several different ways to get there.

First, let’s get to Georgetown:

From I-80 East toward Reno – Exit 119C Placerville/49 (Elm Street) in Auburn (Be careful merging right to exit as cars are merging onto the highway just before the exit). Turn left at end of ramp onto Elm St…

From I-80 West (East or North of Auburn) – Exit 119C Placerville/49 (Elm Street) in Auburn.  Turn right at end of ramp to Elm St….

  • Follow Elm to the bottom of the hill and turn left at the light.
  • Follow signs for CA-49 South.
  • Straight through next stop light which is the top of the “canyon.”
  • Follow Hwy 49 three miles to the bottom of the canyon (American River confluence).
  • Follow the signs to Cool by turning right across the bridge and wind your way up the canyon for another three miles to Cool.
  • At the Cool stop light, turn left onto Hwy 193/Georgetown Road.
  • Follow Hwy 193 12.2 miles to Georgetown.
  • See “At Georgetown” below

From Hwy 50 (East or West)

RECOMMENDED – there are alternate routes, but this route is best for towing horses, especially large LQ rigs.

  • Take Shingle Springs/Ponderosa exit
  • 50 East will turn left towards North Shingle Rd; 50 West will turn right towards North Shingle Rd.
  • Turn right at second light onto North Shingle Springs Rd.
    This road changes names along the way (to Green Valley to Lotus Rd) but continue to follow straight to Lotus/Coloma where it dead ends at Hwy 49.
  • Turn left onto Hwy 49 and proceed straight to Cool.
  • Turn right at the stop sign onto Hwy 193/Georgetown Road.
  • Follow Hwy 193 12.2 miles to Georgetown.

At Georgetown, from the 4-way stop, turn left onto Main Street (Wentworth Springs Road).

Gas and diesel are available at the station at the 4-way stop in Georgetown. There is also Worton’s Market, a little grocery store/deli on your right as you turn onto Main Street – and yes, there is parking in the middle of the road!

Downtown Georgetown for Dru Barner:

  • Proceed on Main Street/Wentworth Springs road approximately 6 miles to the turnoff to Dru Barner Park.
  • Watch for the Dru Barner sign on the right – it will have streamers on it.
    — There is a small driveway right before the Dru Barner entrance – this is NOT the turn! Look for the sign at the road entrance just past that driveway.
  • If you reach the Virner Restaurant on the right, you have gone too far.

The road to Dru Barner Park is paved but narrow. Please drive carefully and watch for rigs coming from the opposite direction.

The campground is about 2.5 miles from the turnoff

Pick up your day/overnight fee envelope at the campground marquee on your way in.

Camping at Dru Barner is $8 per night, and day use is $3. Fee envelopes are available at the entrance, and cash (exact amount) or a check can be used. These use fees are paid directly to the Forest Service and are not included in the ride entry fees.

Trail maps and information are available at the Georgetown Ranger Station, located on the right side of Wentworth Springs Rd. about 3.5 miles from town. There is a wide shoulder where it is easy to pull off with a trailer.