The Irish Creek Ranch barn at golden hour above a dry meadow, a ranch dog sitting in the tall grass

Garden Valley · El Dorado County, California

Irish Creek
Ranch

A working family ranch on The Divide — oaks, open meadow, a seasonal pond, and a barn the family built in the early 1920s.

Hurley–Schlein family— on this land since 1919

The ranch

The same family, the same hillside, since 1919.

The homestead here was built and expanded over the years starting in about 1870. The property has been owned by the Hurley–Schlein family since 1919 — cattle people who have lived in this area since the 1850s.

Maxine Hurley Smith was raised on the property and still continues in the cattle tradition with a small herd. The barn and garage were built in the early ’20s by Maxine’s uncle and grandfather, and they are still standing over the meadow today.

Other crops are raised here too — olives, peaches, apples. The whole property was mined during the Gold Rush, and Coloma, where gold was first discovered, is a short drive away.

Locals call this stretch of country “The Divide.” It sits between the American River and historic Georgetown, with rafting, horse trails and more than sixty El Dorado County tasting rooms within easy reach.

The Irish Creek Ranch barn in spring, green pasture and oaks running down to the fence line
The barn and garage, built in the early 1920s by Maxine’s uncle and grandfather.

What happens here

One ranch, four ways to be on it.

Camping under the oaks, the homestead guest suite, the grounds for a gathering, and the orchard and cattle that have always been the point of the place.

Camp under the oaks

Spread-out sites across the meadow and along the seasonal pond, each with a picnic table and a fire pit. Potable water on site, and a farm shop for firewood and the odds and ends people forget.

Tents · groups · stargazing

Stay in the homestead

A two-bedroom guest suite in the old homestead with its own kitchen, a living room, Wi-Fi, and free parking on the property. Guests have the run of the pool and the hot tub.

Pool · hot tub · kitchen

Gather on the grounds

The ranch is available for events. Rolling hills, the old barn, the pond and the pasture — a hundred years of the same family keeping it exactly as it should be.

Events · the grounds · by arrangement

The orchard & herd

A small cattle herd still runs here in the family tradition, alongside olives, peaches and apples. It is a working ranch first — that is what makes the rest of it feel real.

Cattle · olives · peaches · apples
The seasonal pond at Irish Creek Ranch at sunset, oaks reflected in still water
Canada geese on the pond bank below a camp under the oaks
The homestead and outbuildings at Irish Creek Ranch seen across green spring pasture
A spread-out campsite in the oak meadow with tents and a picnic table

What people say after they leave

Ten years of guests, mostly saying the same thing.

4.7out of 5 · 1,017 ratings on Hipcamp

“What a beautiful property, the diversity of oak trees and plants was a treat. Wendell was incredibly welcoming and laid out all the tips for us. Great seasonal pond with enough frogs to keep the kids busy for hours :) Star gazing from the meadow at night was so pleasant.”

Todd C. · July 2020 · Hipcamp

“Wendell is a great host and has beautiful and well maintained site with all amenities. I had a very good experience at Irish Creek and would definitely return.”

Anshuman S. · July 2020 · Hipcamp

“We enjoyed a lot our stay at Irish creek ranch. Site #12 is perfect because it’s away from other sites so it gives more privacy. Wendell was also very nice and helpful.”

Find the ranch

5900 Garden Valley Road.

Address
5900 Garden Valley Road
Garden Valley, CA 95633
Phone
916-801-1000
Email
irishcreekranch@gmail.com
Nearby
Coloma & the American River
Georgetown · 60+ tasting rooms
Ask about your dates

Garden Valley, California

Come out to The Divide.

Camping, the homestead, or the whole ranch for a gathering. Tell us the dates and we will tell you what is open.

Email the ranch 916-801-1000