Strange Ranch - River and Gold

100%

28 reviews

· Wilseyville, Calaveras, California

117 acres hosted by Terry S.

4 RV/tent sites

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Staff verified

Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.

Terry is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

Off-leash friendly

Pets can be off-leash at some sites.

Secluded private river camping in a forest and oak woodland on the South Fork Mokelumne River. The site boasts incredible views with a pristine private gold-bearing trout stream with mining history and wildlife preserve located in the gold country of the Sierra Nevada foothills of northern Calaveras County. This unique property is adjacent to over 900 acres of public land and 2 miles of private stream for exploring. With a total of only 4 campsites, it is a great location for a group to reserve the entire campground. Guests will enjoy the privacy while swimming, stream exploring, hiking, spelunking, forest immersion, fishing for wild trout, gold panning, or simply relaxing in a breathtaking environment – come fall in love with this special private ranch. After one stay, you will be a repeat guest. PLEASE NOTE: A 4-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive vehicle is needed to access 3 of the 4 campsites due to the incline and rock and gravel road. The one site accessible with a 2-wd vehicle has water and power. All sites have beautiful open views of the property and river canyon with natural shade in the morning and late afternoon. At this time, please provide your own portable shade structure(s) at each of the campsites during late morning and afternoon as the direct sun in the late morning and afternoon can be an inconvenience. The owners are professional fish and wildlife biologists and have decided to share this special place for others to enjoy. The property hosts a variety of wildlife species that might be observed during your stay. PLEASE be aware that some wildlife species including rattlesnakes and mountain lions have been observed on the 117-acre property and could potentially be observed near the campsites. The Ranch northern portion of the property typically supports a state and locally licensed commercial medical cannabis farm. The gardens and related operations are on the northern portion of the property and removed from river view campsite locations. No portions of the farming operations interfere with camping operations. The property and amenities will evolve over time. Day trips are possible to Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, public caverns, Calaveras and Amador wine tasting, and local historic gold towns.

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100% Recommend32 ratings · 28 reviews

Terry's campsite offers a tranquil escape with stunning views and a nearby river perfect for swimming. Guests appreciate the clean amenities, including a well-maintained porta potty and a picnic area by the creek. The area provides plenty to explore, from an old gold mine to diverse flora and fauna. Terry's attentive hosting and local knowledge enhance the camping experience, making it memorable for families and solo travelers alike.

Summary AI-generated from real reviews

Ezra S.

2 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Sweet spot

19 ft campervan ·

Site #3 - Road Bend Camp

Wonderful spot, and a wonderful host! Will be back!

J P.

6 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· November 2024

Site #2 - Gold Mine River Overlook

This was my second time staying at the property. I highly recommend camping here. They have a great set up for it. Private camp areas, porta potty, and a staircase down to the river. I had an incredible time with family. Awesome property, and great host.

Katie C.

8 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· November 2024

Thank you for a great experience

15 ft travel trailer ·

Site #3 - Road Bend Camp

Everything about our stay on Terry’s land was five stars! From the communication before arrival to the absolutely incredible views. The site itself was a nice size and came with a picnic table. There were trash cans and a very clean porta potty which was all very convenient. There was also a water spigot for fresh water but we brought our own, so we never needed to use it. When we arrived, Terry met us and led us right to our site which was so nice because it was a bit late. On our second day, we drove to Murphys and did some wine tasting. Highly recommend!!

Nicholas S.

5 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· October 2024

Not a bad get away

Tent ·

Site #1 - Premier Riverview Site

Definitely quiet, And secluded, But not so far that a trip into town is a hardship. Campsite host Terry was friendly and accommodating. There was Stair access to the stream that’s just below the campsite, and just a short walk to an old gold mine, you can actually enter the mine shaft and walk back into it a few hundred feet(be sure to bring a light, and mind your footing, my dog fell into a hole that appeared to just be a puddle). there are other places in gully to explore as well, both up, and downstream. The campfire ring isn’t located at the camp side, but rather down the stairs next to the stream.At first is was less than thrilled about this to be honest, however it turned out to not be so bad. It’s a lovely sitting area with chairs provided. In a quiet little alcove made of a natural rock formation shielded from the wind, adjacent to a little swimming hole. Although we saw some birds, there was little else in the way of wildlife presence, so we didn’t have any unwanted visitors while we slept pilfering our food stuffs. The restroom facility was clean and well maintained. Lots of paper products, this paired with a trash and recycle bin made it easy to keep our camp clean. Heed the warning that you will need to have a vehicle with a bit of ground clearance to access the site. 4 wheel drive isn’t a bad idea either. Overall I would give this site an 8 out of 10, and I would return. Sites 1 and 2 were well placed, but site 3 appeared to be an afterthought.

Rachel S.

5 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· October 2024

Tent ·

Site #3 - Road Bend Camp

Terry is the best! Helped us set up our tent and everything :) also had an awesome time hanging out with him and his son + the other campers around the campfire. We will definitely be back (looks just like the photos)

Bing K.

2 reviews

Recommends

· October 2024

Strange Ranch for the win!

23 ft campervan ·

Site #3 - Road Bend Camp

Strange Ranch is just an amazing spot to explore. Terry is the kindest host and is so knowledgeable about the flora and fauna on his land. The river is just a magical setting to lounge around or explore. He has thoughtfully built in amenities that make your stay easy and comfortable. We can't wait to come back!

Location

Wilseyville, Calaveras, California, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Me-Wuk (Northern Sierra Miwok) and Miwok First Nations according to

Native Land Digital.

To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking