Things to Do in Nevada County

Music

 http://www.cbaontheweb.org/

Music in the Mountains   http://www.musicinthemountains.org/

Public Lakes

Bullards Bar  http://www.bullardsbar.com/

Collins Lake  http://www.collinslake.com/index.php

Lake Englebright    http://www.spk.usace.army.mil/organizations/cespk-co/lakes/englebright.html

Rollins Lake http://www.osresort.com/

Non Public Lakes

Lake Wildwood (gated community)  http://www.lwwa.org/ 

Seasonal Events 

Downtown historic Grass Valley on Mill and Main Streets.  Friday nights from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. 

  38th annual CORNISH CHRISTMAS
December, 2005 in beautiful historic Grass Valley
Fridays, November 25, December 2, 9, 16, 23
2005 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Victorian Christmas 2005
in Historic Nevada City
 

Wednesday nights, Dec. 7, 14 and 21, from 6-9 p.m.,  and on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 18, from 1:30-6 p.m.  Free Admission. Free parking and shuttle bus services

 Nevada County Fair www.nevadacountyfair.com

Empire Mine  www.empiremine.org

Penn Valley Rodeo http://www.pvrodeo.com/

HIKING IN NEVADA COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS


Sierra Disovery Trail
In the High Sierra Mountains
This hike is very easy, and quite educational. PG&E maintains this 1 mile looping trail that passes by informative signs that have area plant and wildlife information.
Directions:Hwy 20, and right before the turnoff to Hwy 80 take a left turn on Boman Lake Rd. The trail is just a short ways up the road on the left side. There are restrooms, and a gazebo with benches for those not able to make the hike.

SPENCEVILLE WILDLIFE REFUGE & SHINGLE FALLS (11,213 Acre Wildlife Preserve)
Directions
From Grass Valley go west on Highway 20, towards Marysville, for 12.5 miles. Turn left at the Beale Air Force Base sign onto Smartville Road. Go 1 mile and take the left fork and continue on Smartville Road for 3.8 miles to Waldo Road. Turn left onto Waldo Road for 1.8 miles to the Waldo Bridge. Cross the bridge and continue to the left along Spenceville Road for 2.3 miles until you arrive at the turnout and trail head by an old concrete bridge.
Parking
Lots of parking is available at the trail head.
Hiking Distance
Shingle Falls is about 2.5 miles, and the trails are well maintained.
Features
The hike to the falls takes approximately one hour. Some ride bicycles (downhill looks easier). This hike is best in the springtime, but the trail is open all year round. Each season offers a variety of great things to see. Over 175 species of birds inhabit the area.
The trailhead is located just about a half hour from Grass Valley. The Waldo Bridge, located at the trailhead, was built in 1901 to serve the now extinct towns of Waldo and Spenceville.

Bear River Bridge, Nevada County
The Bear River forms the southern most border of Nevada County. At the crossing of Bear River and Hwy 174 is a historic bridge, and there is also a great trail for hiking there. It is a relatively easy, approximately two mile hike downstream. There are several smaller trails branching off to the river for swimming, fishing, or just relaxing. There is plenty of free parking.
Bridgeport, Penn Valley
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.
Parking
Several parking lots are located where Pleasant Valley Road crosses the Yuba River. Roadside parking is also available.
Hiking Distance
You can hike approximately 1.5 miles downstream (west) or upstream (east).
Downstream meanders along the Yuba River as it flows into the Englebright Reservoir. Upstream goes along the river, and has some great swimming holes.
Features
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 several great places to swim. Hiking is great all year long.
The historic covered bridge has been around since 1862, and the old toll station road can still be seen today. A lot of items have been preserved, and the entire place is rich with history.

INDEPENDENCE TRAIL, Nevada City

Directions
Take Hwy. 49 and go 5.5 miles north of Nevada City.
Parking
You can park in turnouts near the trailhead which is located about a half a mile south of the Yuba River. Warning - Be careful with the traffic on Hwy 49.
Hiking Distance
You can go 2.5 miles downstream (west) or upstream (east). The 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 the start.
Features
There is Wheelchair Accessibility for 1.5 miles in each direction of the trailhead.
This trail follows the path of the Excelsior Canal which was built during the Gold Rush. You'll enjoy lots of wildflowers in the Spring.

Edward Crossing, Nevada City
Directions: Go north on Hwy 20, passed Nevada City. Turn left at Hwy 49. Not too far up, take a left on North Bloomfield Rd and go about 8 miles until you reach the river crossing. You can take a tail on either side of the river. This hike is Easy to Moderate difficulty. Very scenic!

EMPIRE MINE HIKING TRAILS, Grass Valley
This 784 acre State Park is close to downtown Grass Valley. The trails are relatively level and wind through the pine-forested land that was once one of the largest working hardrock mines in Nevada County.
Directions: To get there, exit on Hwy 49 at Empire Street. Travel east for about one mile, and you will arrive at the mine. Park in the main parking lot. There are 3 major trails to hike.
HARDROCK TRAIL - This 2 mile loop passes through the historic mining site.
Mountain bikes and horse back riding are are not permitted on this trail.
OSBORNE HILL TRAIL - This 5 mile loop winds through old mine sites with foundations. The hike takes you through tall pines and along a year-round creek.
Horseback riding and mountain bikes are permitted on this trail.
UNION HILL TRAIL - This 5 mile loop lets you see old mine sites and the historic pipeline that brought water to the mines. The whole hike is in a thick pine forest.
Horseback riding and mountain bikes are permitted on this trail.

MALAKOFF DIGGINS, Nevada County
Directions: Go north on Hwy 49 from Nevada City. Not too far up 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 the trails are available at the Ranger Station.
TRAILS:
BLAIR TRAIL - Start at the Blair Lake parking lot
DIGGINS LOOP TRAIL - Start at Diggins Overlook
HUMBUG CREEK TRAIL - Start at the parking lot
MISSOURI BAR TRAIL - Start at the Forest Service Road at Relief Hill Road
NORTH BLOOMFIELD TRAIL - Start at the town of North Bloomfield
RIM TRAIL - Start at the town of North Bloomfield

PIONEER TRAILS Hiking, Biking, Equestrian, Picnics
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.
 

While Water River Tours  http://www.whitewatertours.com/