Lakes, Rivers & Streams

Bullards Bar Reservoir
Bullards Bar Reservoir is in the Tahoe and Plumas National Forests surrounded by rugged countryside. The area is heavily wooded so all campsites are shaded by trees. All boating is allowed including water-skiing. Fishing is open year around.

California Department of Fish and Game
This State department conserves and protects California's wildlife, and enforces laws and regulations pertaining to wildlife. You'll find licensing and legal hunting & fishing information here.

Donner Memorial State Park
Summer camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing and hiking. Winter cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on groomed trails. Plus a pioneer historical museum.

Englebright Lake
Lake Englebright (Englebright Reservoir) is located off of Hwy 20 just west of Penn Valley, California. Englebright is a boat camper's bonanza with only boat access camping allowed.

Lake Spaulding and Other High Sierra Lakes
Lake Spaulding rests at in a glacier-carved bowl of granite with boating and fishing. Nevada County also has dozens of other high Sierra lakes.

Rollins Lake
This lake is in the Gold Country of the Western Sierra near Grass Valley, California. A great lake for sailing, water-skiing, fishing and camping.

Scotts Flat Lake
Scotts Flat Lake is at the gateway to the Tahoe National Forest. A nice boating lake with two launch ramps, a marina, and a family-oriented campground.

Skiing Resorts

Just a short drive from Nevada County is some of the best skiing in California. Click the links below to check some of the fantastic ski resorts in our area:

Hiking Trails

There are many great hiking trails throughout Nevada County. Some of the most popular are:

Empire Mine Hiking Trails - The trails are relatively level and wind through the pine-forested land that was once one of the largest working hardrock mine in Nevada County. To get there, exit on Hwy 49 at Empire Street then drive east for about one mile until you get to the mine. Park in the main parking lot. There are 3 major trails to hike.

HARDROCK TRAIL - A two mile loop that passes through historic mining site. No mountain
bike or horse back riding is allowed on this trail.

OSBORNE HILL TRAIL - A 5 mile loop that winds through old mine sites with foundations.
The hike takes you through tall pines and year-round creek. Horseback riding and mountain
bike are permitted.

UNION HILL TRAIL - A 5 mile loop that lets you see old mine sites and a historic pipeline
that brought water to the mines. Whole hike is in a thick pine forest. Horseback riding and mountain
bike are permitted.

Bridgeport Hiking Trails - Bridgeport is located on the far west side of Nevada County. The beautiful Yuba River is perfect for winter rafting, and in the summer there are some great places to swim. Hiking is great all year long.

There is a historic bridge that has been around since 1862, and the old toll station road can still be seen. Several items have been preserved, and the entire place is rich with history.

Directions - Take Hwy 20 west from Grass Valley towards Marysville. Turn Right on Pleasant Valley Road and go about 8 miles until you reach the covered bridge. You can in several paring lots at the Yuba River and Pleasant Valley Rd. Parking is also available along the road.

Hiking Distance - You can go approximately 1.5 miles downstream (west) or upstream (east). Downstream meanders along the Yuba River as it turns into the Englebright Reservoir. Upstream goes along the river and has some great swimming holes.

Pioneer Hiking, Bike Riding & Equestrian Trails -

ROCK CREEK NATURE TRAIL -Hwy 20 - Go about 6 miles east of Nevada City to Washington Ridge Conservation Camp Road.

CASCI RANCH TRAIL -Hwy 20 - Go 5 miles east of Nevada City, right across from the 5-Mile House.

LOWER PIONEER TRAIL -Hwy 20 - Go 7 miles east of Nevada City to the trailhead across from Lone Grave. 10 mile trail that parallels Hwy 20 all the way to Bear Valley.

Malakoff Diggins Trails - Hwy 49 take a right on North Bloomfield Rd. Go over Edward's Crossing and then about 18 miles up is the historic town of North Bloomfield and the Malakoff Diggins. Maps to trails are available at the Ranger Station.

BLAIR TRAIL - Start at Blair Lake parking lot

DIGGINS LOOP TRAIL - Start at Diggins Overlook

HUMBUG CREEK TRAIL - Start at the parking lot

MISSOURI BAR TRAIL - Start at Forest Service Road at Relief Hill Road

NORTH BLOOMFIELD TRAIL - Start at town of North Bloomfield

RIM TRAIL - Start at town of North Bloomfield

Nevada City Hiking & Biking Trails - Maps for the following trails can be obtained at the forest service headquarters at 631 Coyote St Nevada City

INDEPENDENCE TRAIL - Take Hwy. 49 and go 5.5 miles north of Nevada City. Parking is available at trailhead. You can go 2.5 miles downstream (west) or upstream (east). West trail offers a 4.3 mile loop along a swimming trail to Jones Bar Road and then goes back up to Excelsior Canal and back to start. There is wheelchair accessibility for 1.5 miles in each direction of the trailhead. Trail follows the path of the Excelsior Canal which was built during the Gold Rush. Lots of wildflowers in the Spring.

AUGISTINE AGONY TRAIL - Cement Hill Rd to Augustine Rd

BANNER MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL - Sacramento St & Freeway

BUCKEYE LOOP BIKE TRAIL - Cascade Shores General Store

CHAMPION MINE TRAIL - Miner's Foundry & Factory St

DEER CREEK TRAIL - Nevada City Hwy & Providence Mine Rd

ROUND MOUNTAIN TRAIL- North Bloomfield Road & Rock Creek Road

Bear River Bridge - The Bear River forms the southern most border of Nevada County. At the crossing of the Bear River and Hwy 174, is a historic bridge, and there is also a great trail for hiking here. It's about a two mile hike downstream, a relatively easy hike, and there are lots of smaller trails going down to the river for swimming, fishing, or relaxing. There is plenty of free parking.

Camping

If you love camping then your sure to love Nevada County. Below are some of our areas most popular camp grounds.

Orchard Springs Campground at Rollins Lake Features - Camping * Boating * Boat Rental * Fishing * Water Skiing * Swimming * Picknicking * RV Hookups * Day Use * Hot Showers * Flush Toilets * Shady Campsites * Store * Bar & Restaurant * Open Year Round * ATM * Visa & Mastercard * Large Group BBQ

Greenhorn Campground at Rollins Lake Features -

Call 1-530-346-2213 for rates and brochures

Greenhorn Campground at Rollins Lake - Many picturesque campsites available including lake front. Call 1-530-272-6100 for rates and brochures

Peninsula Camping at Rollins Lake - Come enjoy old-fashioned family camping at its finest. With over 300 acres, 78 individual and group tent and recreational vehicle sites stretching over 1 1/2 miles of wooded and lakefront property surrounded by Rollins Lake, Peninsula provides a great escape to the beauty of nature, a way to re-energize and reconnect with family and friends.

Scotts Flat Lake Campground - Scotts Flat Lake is one of the most popular lakes in Nevada County. Call 1-530-265-5302 for camping information.

Nevada County Fairgrounds Campsites - Nestled among tall pine trees, which provide a serene setting and encourages a safe camping experience. Our facilities are available for either individual or group RV camping. We have 15 sites with full hook-ups and approximately 100 sites with water and power hookups. Showers and two convenient dump stations are located within the camping area.

Fishing

The Tahoe National Forest is located in the Sierra Nevada of northern California. Our streams, lakes and rivers provide a wide range of recreational fishing opportunities. There are 23 species of fish on the Tahoe, 15 of which are considered game fish. The Tahoe National Forest is located within a three-hour driving distance from the San Francisco Bay Area; an hour and a half from Sacramento and about an hour from Reno, Nevada. The proximity of these major urban areas to the Forest, along with its large and varied number of lakes, rivers and streams, has made recreation, and particularly sport fishing, a major use on the forest.

Additional fishing information, such as directions to particular lakes and streams, is accessible by clicking here.