Just like the wildlife waking up from their winter snooze, spring is the right time to cure your cabin fever and get outdoors to experience Nevada County. This is your opportunity to unplug and relax. To revitalize your spirit and body with a spring escape. What you’ll find is that it isn’t just beautiful, it’s magical!
Harvest Some Spring Skiing
Experience the reign of Spring ‘Triple dip days’ in Truckee! What’s a triple dip day? It’s your chance to squeeze in three or more activities into a day and earn bragging rights with your friends. From paddleboarding to outdoor festivals, the array of activities is boundless. Yet, the crowning glory of this season is undoubtedly spring skiing. Nestled amidst Truckee’s surrounding mountains, you’ll encounter an elusive snow type – corn, which is the next best thing after powder. Plus, if you love skiing but loath the chill, this is the opportune moment to visit. To learn more about why it’s so special, read Visit Truckee-Tahoe’s guide to spring skiing.
Enjoy Outdoor Festivals
Enjoy bluegrass, brews, and brisk mountain air? Then the WinterWonderGrass Festival from April 5th – 7th is right up your alley. Want to do some spring skiing AND hear a bit of music? Come enjoy FREE live music in the village at Palisades Tahoe with music-filled weekends at Palisades Tahoe running from March 17th through April 27th. Talented musicians take center stage not only at Alpine Meadows, but all-around Truckee-Tahoe. It’s a spring experience filled with great skiing and exceptional FREE live music. And don’t miss out on showing your love to the planet by hitting up the Truckee-Tahoe Earth Day Festival on April 20th.
Take in the Wildflowers
While the upper reaches of Nevada County remain cloaked in a snowy embrace, the lower elevations are bursting into a vibrant display of wildflower fireworks. The beating heart of this early season bloom lies in South Yuba River State Park. On Saturdays and Sundays, knowledgeable docents lead expeditions while shedding light on various flower species and intriguing tales associated with them. Dive deeper into this enchanting experience and other spring hikes in our article Yuba-Long Among Wildflowers in Nevada County. As the season unfolds into late spring and early summer, the wildflower spectacle transitions to the meadows and landscapes encircling Truckee. Discover five favorite hikes in Truckee that unveil Mother Nature’s palette in its full splendor for this time of year.
Go Birdwatching
All that water from snowmelt and a bounty of wildflowers isn’t just a paradise for humans but all living creatures especially birds. While Nevada County is a birder’s delight in any season, it truly dazzles in spring. With over 200 species of birds breeding, wintering, or migrating through the region, the avian diversity is astounding. In addition to our state parks, here are five other birdwatching hotspots to explore during your visit.
Embark On A Ride Via A Railbus
Nevada County boasts a rich history from its gold mining past to its footprint in the Golden Age of Railroading, all of it evident across its landscape. For train enthusiasts or those craving a unique journey through the forested foothills of the Sierra Nevada, a ride aboard the meticulously restored historic Railbus 97 at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad (NCNGRR) Museum is a must. Every Saturday from the Museum starting around April and running through October, this 35-minute excursion meanders along Gold Run Creek, glides past the Inn Town Campground, reaches the Northern Queen Inn, and loops back to the museum, tracing a section of the railroad’s original route.
