empire-state-park

Parks

Nevada County is home to unique local parks as well as memorable and diverse state parks.

Highlights

Donner Summit is a gem of its own, for rock climbers and rock hunters alike! The soil is rich with history and memory, and the mountains offer extreme sport climbing and wide open space.

Nevada County Fairgrounds is nestled among the pines and recognized as “California’s Most Beautiful Fairgrounds.” The fun continues all year long with special community events, weddings, and an iconic RV park!

Get rich quick! Gold panning is a great way to enjoy the sunshine and experience California’s history first-hand. The whole family can get their hands dirty and make memories.

Resources

Nevada City Parks & Recreation

Bringing the pooch? Dog-Friendly Parks in Nevada County

In Grass Valley for the day? Find parks, playgrounds, picnic areas and more at Grass Valley Department of Parks & Recreation

Check out Tahoe National Forest & State Parks

Get Out for a Day or Relax with the Family at Nevada County Recreation Parks

Nevada County is home to unique local parks as well as memorable and diverse state parks. Summer vacation opportunities include camping, picnicking, boating, swimming, water-skiing, and hiking. In winter, visitors can cross-country ski, snowboard and snowshoe in the crisp weather; and then cozy up in a warm cabin at the end of the day. You can enjoy unique activities such as gold panning, fishing, and plentiful equestrian trails. 

Truckee River Regional Park has a variety of activities including tennis courts, disc golf, easy hiking trails for all ages and abilities, as well as an amphitheater where you can groove to live music! Pioneer Park in downtown Nevada City is a perfect place to toss a frisbee, have a picnic, or enjoy the pool in summer or catch live music or a summer movie at the amphitheater. There’s something for everyone at Condon Park, an 80 acre park offering several amenities such as: disc golf, a group BBQ area, senior league field, minor league field, basketball and bocci ball courts, and more! Visitors to Penn Valley’s Western Gateway Park enjoy children’s play areas, pickleball, tennis, and racketball courts, baseball and spacious open space fields, with multiple covered picnic areas and streamside water play.

Gold and Other Hidden Gems at Historic Parks  

Nevada County is home to several state parks that offer history and recreation opportunities at one scenic location. South Yuba River State Park contains miles of spectacular swimming holes and fishing areas, historical monuments such as Bridgeport Covered Bridge and Ranch, and inspiring geological sights where the raging river carved its path into the earth. Only twenty-six miles from Nevada City, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park is the site of California’s largest hydraulic mine, where visitors can see huge cliffs carved by mighty streams of water and walk through a massive 7,847-foot bedrock tunnel that served as a drain. The visitor center has exhibits on life in the old mining town of North Bloomfield. Grass Valley’s Empire Mine State Historic Park is the site of one of the oldest, largest and richest gold mines in California, noted for its historical tours of the Bourn Cottage and “living history” events. Donner Memorial State Park is home to the Emigrant Trail Museum, as well as a wonderful self-paced interpretive walking trail. In and around the park you can see some of the Sierra Nevada’s geologic history.