Improved Recreational Land for Sale in Wilseyville, California

The Blue Mountain Event Center and Ranch is an exceptional 217-acre recreational ranch and private retreat located near Wilseyville, in the scenic foothills of Calaveras County, California. This versatile legacy property delivers unparalleled outdoor recreation and event hosting opportunities with room for music festivals, weddings, family gatherings, and camping along almost 1 mile of the Licking Fork of the Mokelumne River.

Land

The Blue Mountain Event Center and Ranch encompasses approximately 217 secluded acres of A1-zoned agricultural land in the scenic foothills of Calaveras County.

The layout integrates natural water features with recreational and timber areas: nearly one mile of frontage along the year-round Licking Fork of the Mokelumne River, a tranquil pond fed by a freshwater ditch, sprawling meadows ideal for gatherings, and miles of trails weaving throughout the property for hiking, equestrian use, and OHV adventures. Improvements include a 1924 farmhouse, modular home, iconic event barn with stage and bar, storage buildings, three wells, and water storage tanks, all positioned for practical access, while the balance remains open for events, camping, or expansion. Access includes a short section of packed gravel county road and a bridge.

Terrain varies from flatter meadow and river-bottom areas to steeper, rolling hillsides suited for dirt bike and OHV riding, creating a dynamic, private retreat with natural elevation changes and abundant wildlife habitat.

Vegetation features a productive timber stand (estimated 2.5–3.0 MBF), lush grassy meadows, historic apple trees dating to the 1800s (likely planted in the 1850s), and diverse native cover that sustains wildlife. Water and mineral rights enhance the off-grid parcel’s self-sufficiency. Overall, the property blends riverine, meadow, and wooded zones into a versatile, nature-immersed landscape perfect for recreation and events.

Improvements

The property includes two primary residences and a collection of functional event and support structures on its 217-acre A1-zoned ranch parcel.

1924 Farmhouse: A rustic single-family ranch-style home built in 1924, approximately 1,428 sq ft. It offers classic Gold Country charm but requires renovation.

Modular Home: A second single-family residence, also in need of renovation.

Iconic Old Barn/Event Venue: A historic barn thoughtfully converted for large gatherings, featuring a built-in performance stage and bar—ideal for festivals, weddings, and events.

Fish Hatchery: Includes incubation building and rearing ponds, in need of renovation.

Additional Structures: Includes multiple storage buildings for equipment and supplies, water storage tanks, three water wells, and convenient outdoor flush toilets.

These improvements blend heritage character with practical event and off-grid functionality,

Recreation

The 217-acre private ranch offers a diverse array of year-round recreational activities centered around its natural features and established event infrastructure. Water-based recreation includes trout fishing in the year-round Licking Fork of the Mokelumne River and the on-site pond. Extensive trail systems support hiking, equestrian riding, mountain biking, and OHV adventures, with steep terrain challenging advanced dirt bike and quad riders while offering beginner trails and kid-friendly areas.

The property excels as a large-scale event venue, hosting music festivals, fire and flow arts gatherings (e.g., FireDrums), onewheel/EUC races (e.g., Shredfest), weddings, retreats, and family camping across multiple days. A sprawling meadow provide space for picnics, BBQs, and group activities, while miles of scenic trails wind through timber stands, historic apple orchard, and wildlife-rich areas for nature immersion and exploration. Off-grid seclusion enhances the experience for veterans’ events, charitable gatherings, and multi-day camping escapades in a serene Gold Country setting.

Additional passive recreation includes wildlife viewing and relaxing in the foothills landscape, making it ideal for both high-energy adventures and peaceful retreats.

Agriculture

The 217-acre property is zoned A1 (General Agriculture), allowing a wide range of agricultural uses. Water and mineral rights support potential future agricultural activity or hobby-scale operations.

Farming & Cattle: The open meadow could support limited grazing, hay production, or small-scale livestock, consistent with typical Calaveras County foothill ranches.

Crops: A historic apple orchard features old trees dating to the 1800s (likely planted in the 1850s during the Gold Rush era), adding legacy character and potential for small-scale fruit harvesting or agritourism.

Timberland: A modest timber stand is present, estimated at 2.5–3.0 MBF. The site has deep historical ties to timber—originally a nearby 1882 sawmill location with operations continuing into the late 1940s under the Mitchell Mill name.

Overall, the land’s agricultural attributes are legacy and permissive rather than active, offering buyers flexibility to pursue hobby farming, grazing, orchard restoration, or timber management alongside its established event and recreation uses.

Water/Mineral Rights & Natural Resources

The 217-acre A1-zoned agricultural property includes conveyed water rights and mineral rights, as key amenities supporting its off-grid, self-sufficient character.

Water Rights: These encompass riparian rights associated with nearly one mile of frontage on the year-round Licking Fork of the Mokelumne River, plus supporting infrastructure including three productive wells, water storage tanks, and a pond fed by a pristine freshwater ditch. The rights enable beneficial uses for domestic, recreational (fishing, swimming), event-related, and potential agricultural or livestock needs without municipal water dependency.

The features collectively provide reliable water resources typical of foothill ranches with historical ditch and river access.

Mineral Rights: Full mineral rights are included and conveyed with the surface estate. This is a significant plus in Calaveras County’s historic Gold Country.

These rights enhance the property’s versatility for recreation, events, and legacy agricultural/timber uses.

Region & Climate

Wilseyville is an unincorporated community in Calaveras County, California, nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills at an elevation of approximately 2,769 feet. This tranquil area is defined by its rugged landscape of rolling hills and dense forests, offering a variety of outdoor regional activities including hiking, fishing in the Mokelumne River, and competitive dirt bike racing at the annual Wilseyville Hare Scramble. The local climate features distinct seasons; summers are typically warm with average highs reaching the upper 80s in July, while winters are cool with temperatures often dropping into the mid-30s. Precipitation is concentrated in the cooler months, with December and February historically receiving the most rainfall—averaging over 11 inches each—while summer months like July and August remain nearly dry.