South Yuba Trail EXPLORE THE BEAUTIFUL SIERRA FOOTHILLS OUTDOORS.

GET OUTSIDE!

Recreate like a local- ask the front desk for a handy guide to safe, respectful enjoyment of our outdoor spaces! The more adventurous traveller will find no shortage of trails, lakes and streams, here’s a good place to start!

HIKE

Insider Tip:
The forests and woodlands surrounding Nevada City are full of awe-inspiring hiking, biking and equestrian trails. From right here in the downtown district to the far mountain peaks, the Bear Yuba Land Trust helps inform our recreation needs with their online Trails Portal—full of interactive and downloadable maps and in-depth descriptions of our communities’ most beautiful trails—all while protecting our local meadows, watersheds, forests, trails and parks.

www.bylt.org

Deer Creek Tribute Trail

Walk from the National Exchange Hotel through charming neighborhoods and connect with the Tribute Trail. The trail features a beautiful suspension bridge over Deer Creek and arguably the best vista for enjoying seasonal foliage in spring and fall.

VIEW TRAIL

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail

A quick one mile out and back trail provides a birdseye view of downtown Nevada City- a perfect place for a sunset picnic!

VIEW TRAIL

Buttermilk Bend Trail

A scenic 15 minute drive brings you to South Yuba River State Park, with accessible parking ($5) and a historic covered bridge. The Buttermilk Bend trail skims the Yuba River and provides unparalleled wildflower bliss in the spring and early summer!

VIEW TRAIL

South Yuba Trail

Walk as far as you like enjoying vistas of the Yuba River below, or tackle the full 19.8 mile point to point hike if you’re feeling ambitious!

VIEW TRAIL

BIKE

Insider Tip:
Don’t have a bike, but want to try some of the local roads and trails? Rent a bike at Tour of Nevada City

Tour of Nevada City Website

Pioneer Trail

A popular 24 mile trail for Mountain Biking- a 3,400 foot elevation gain makes the full trail challenging for beginners. But even the most inexperienced bikers can park just north of the historic Five Mile House and explore shorter rides.

VIEW TRAIL

Hoot Trail

A 4 mile side trail (off of the main Pioneer Trail) the Hoot Trail is a super fun ride full of jumps and berms. Suitable for more daring novice riders with loads of fun add-ons for more experienced bikers!

VIEW TRAIL

Scotts Flat Trail

A 7 mile trail for Hiking or Mountain Biking takes you to the shores of Scotts Flat Lake. A lovely shady ride through the ponderosa pines in the quiet of the Tahoe National Forest.

VIEW TRAIL

RIVERS, CREEKS & LAKES

South Yuba River at Bridgeport

The Bridgeport Covered Bridge is the longest single-span wooden covered bridge still in existence in the US. Learn more about the wagons that crossed it, pan for gold, escape to hidden swimming holes and roam the trails along our precious Yuba River!

VIEW DETAILS

Scotts Flat Lake

Nine miles east of Nevada City is a lovely lake with day use area suitable for swimming, fishing, sunning, boating, water skiing, sailing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding.

VIEW DETAILS

Deer Creek

A scenic year round creek that runs through town with trails that are accessible from Downtown Nevada City.

VIEW TRAIL

HISTORIC PLACES

Uba Seo Cultural Education and Gallery Space

Learn about the native inhabitants of the Grass Valley and Nevada City area and support the local Nisenan people in their efforts to preserve their language and culture while seeking federal recognition.

 

225 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA 95959

WEBSITE

Empire Mine

One of the oldest, largest, and richest hardrock gold mines in California. From 1850 until its closure in 1956, an estimated 5.8 million ounces of gold were extracted from its 367 miles of underground passages. Today this State Park contains original mine buildings, a visitor center, museum, ore samples and the owner’s grand “cottage” with 13 acres of restored scenic gardens and 845 acres of forested back country containing 12 miles of trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders.

 

10791 E. Empire St, Grass Valley, CA 95945 | (530) 273-8522

WEBSITE

North Star Mining Museum

One of the ‘gems’ of Nevada County, the North Star Mining Museum exists not only to preserve and protect our area’s mining heritage but also educates and informs people not only about the mining process, but also about the impact the industry had upon the humanity of the people who built the mines and those who toiled there during their operation.

 

933 Allison Ranch Road, Grass Valley, CA 95945 | (530) 273-4255

WEBSITE