Nonprofit outdoor camp facility in the Sierra foothills near Nevada City, at the historic Zeibright gold mine off Highway 20. The site is rented to charitable, educational and youth organizations that run their own camping programs there (for example music and 4-H summer camps), rather than offering open-enrollment sessions directly.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Donner Mine Camp directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★★JJ Lawrencei've been going there since i was 10 yrs old (I'm now 13) for the camp sacred heart and it has been a wonderful experince
★★★★★Ed SniderFabulous experience and a great place for youth groups to get out into nature and learn of the historical gold mining in California.
★★★★★Nicole LucenteThis is a wonderful place for all ages to enjoy while appreciating nature and the great outdoors with some comforts of home available nearby in the main lodge. While outdoors, there are a multitude of established campsites with picnic tables & campfire rings, hiking trails, a ball-field, a large outdoor performance area with bench seating around a traditional campfire ring, & grass area with shade trees. There's a new addition for visitors to enjoy a self-guided educational tour of the area with descriptions posted so everyone can learn more about the Zeibright Mine's history from its hay-day of being an active gold mine during the Gold Rush era when the nearby towns of Grass Valley & Nevada City were originally established in Nevada County. The lodge has lots of bunk-beds in multiple rooms with flush toilets & showers, there's a dining hall with established bench seating around long tables, they have an industrial kitchen with a walk-in refrigerator, the lobby has a wood-stove surrounded by couches, & the upstairs has a large space for group activities with a nice view. One side of the lodge has a large outdoor deck (accessible to the dining hall,) with lots of picnic tables, a shade-cover, & a ramp leading to the front of the lodge so everyone of all ages & abilities can safely enter the lodge & deck areas to enjoy during their stay. Last weekend, I visited Donner Mine to help a Cub Scout group learn about camping skills & outdoor survival awareness to earn several badge & loop requirements & many fun traditions of Scouting events. It was great to see them enjoy this wonderful place in the very same location that I was a Scout growing up. They learned how to pitch a tent, held flag ceremonies around the flag-pole, and I helped to teach some of my favorite camp songs & fun skits that hundreds of Scouts before them had enjoyed performing around the very same campfire ring (minus the actual campfire due to wildfire danger.) My favorite conclusion to every visit to Donner Mine Camp is taking a moment to pause along the winding road home to listen to the water trickling over the rocks with the wind blowing through the trees on our drive home. Going to Donner Mine Camp helps to remind me of all the years of happy memories spent here with so many life-long friends. This has been one of my favorite places to visit since 1984 as a Junior Girl Scout in the 4th grade, and continuing as an adult volunteer for countless Girl Scout camping events with my Mom. Many great destinations in our lives encounter bumpy roads for a worthwhile experience. Donner Mine is one of those wonderful destinations to experience.
★★★★★Brian MoverI'll miss delivering propane here, so beautiful and clean. The manager is very friendly also! Wish my kids could've gone to this camp.
★★★★★Michael RisneyGreat programs for the kids to experience music, while camping and getting away for some fun !!