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Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park is the site of California's largest "hydraulic" mine. Visitors can see huge cliffs carved by mighty streams of water, results of the gold mining technique of washing away entire mountains to find the precious metal. Legal battles between mine owners and downstream farmers ended this method. The park also contains a 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.
Getting There
From Nevada City, travel 11-miles north on highway-49 toward Downieville. North Bloomfield Road is not recommended. Turn right on Tyler Foote Rd. turnoff from Highway 49 and follow the main paved road to the park. The main road changes names a few times (Cruzon Grade Road, Back Bone Road, Derbec Road, North Bloomfield Road). You will stay on paved roads all the way to the park. These are not high-speed roads. The park is 26-miles (50 min drive time) from Nevada City.
Pay fees at Museum - $8 per vehicle. Cash or Check Only.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
From Nevada City, travel 11-miles north on highway-49 toward Downieville. North Bloomfield Road is not recommended. Turn right on Tyler Foote Rd. turnoff from Highway 49 and follow the main paved road to the park. The main road changes names a few times (Cruzon Grade Road, Back Bone Road, Derbec Road, North Bloomfield Road). You will stay on paved roads all the way to the park. These are not high-speed roads. The park is 26-miles (50 min drive time) from Nevada City.
Pay fees at Museum - $8 per vehicle. Cash or Check Only.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
From October through April, the western slope of the Sierra receives between 40 and 60 annual inches of rainfall. Snow is common at higher elevations. Spring, summer and fall temperatures range from the high 50s to the mid-80s.
Layered clothing is advised.
From October through April, the western slope of the Sierra receives between 40 and 60 annual inches of rainfall. Snow is common at higher elevations. Spring, summer and fall temperatures range from the high 50s to the mid-80s.
Layered clothing is advised.
Operating Hours & Contact
The park is open every day from sunrise to sunset. The museum is open daily June 12 to September 6 from 10am until 4pm. After September 6, the museum will be open weekends only. Tours of the town site offered at 1:30pm on days the museum is open.
Campground and Group Camp are open April 15 - Labor Day.
Miner's Cabins are open and available by reservation all year long.
Telephone: 530-265-2740
The park is open every day from sunrise to sunset. The museum is open daily June 12 to September 6 from 10am until 4pm. After September 6, the museum will be open weekends only. Tours of the town site offered at 1:30pm on days the museum is open.
Campground and Group Camp are open April 15 - Labor Day.
Miner's Cabins are open and available by reservation all year long.
Telephone: 530-265-2740
Camping
Three miner’s cabins in North Bloomfield may be reserved. The 30 family campsites at Chute Hill each have tables, food lockers and fire grates. The group campsite is reserveable for 9 to 60 people with no more than 18 vehicles. Reservations are recommended for weekends or summer weekdays.
Make Campground Reservations
Max Camper Length: 24 Feet
Max Trailer Length: 18 Feet
Three miner’s cabins in North Bloomfield may be reserved. The 30 family campsites at Chute Hill each have tables, food lockers and fire grates. The group campsite is reserveable for 9 to 60 people with no more than 18 vehicles. Reservations are recommended for weekends or summer weekdays.
Make Campground Reservations
Max Camper Length: 24 Feet
Max Trailer Length: 18 Feet
Activities
Swimming
Blair Lake has a small swimming section near the picnic area. No lifeguard service is available, so please use caution and swim at your own risk.
Fishing
Rainbow and brown trout may be caught in South Yuba River. Blair Lake reservoir holds black bass, bluegill and rainbows. All anglers 16 and over must possess a valid California fishing license.
Hiking
The park has more than 20 miles of scenic foothill trails with degrees of difficulty varying from easy to strenuous. The renowned South Yuba Trail connects to this park’s trail network.
Programs and events
Gold panning near China Garden and guided tours of historic town buildings are offered during museum hours. A Kids’ Fishing Derby is held in May, Humbug Day takes place each June, and an Ice Cream Social celebrates September. Environmental Living programs are available to school groups. Call the park museum at (530) 265-2740 or visit their website for a current schedule.
Swimming
Blair Lake has a small swimming section near the picnic area. No lifeguard service is available, so please use caution and swim at your own risk.
Fishing
Rainbow and brown trout may be caught in South Yuba River. Blair Lake reservoir holds black bass, bluegill and rainbows. All anglers 16 and over must possess a valid California fishing license.
Hiking
The park has more than 20 miles of scenic foothill trails with degrees of difficulty varying from easy to strenuous. The renowned South Yuba Trail connects to this park’s trail network.
Programs and events
Gold panning near China Garden and guided tours of historic town buildings are offered during museum hours. A Kids’ Fishing Derby is held in May, Humbug Day takes place each June, and an Ice Cream Social celebrates September. Environmental Living programs are available to school groups. Call the park museum at (530) 265-2740 or visit their website for a current schedule.
Accessible Features
Disclaimer
We are working to improve accessibility throughout our parks but we regret that there are currently no (wheelchair) accessible activities at this park. This may be an undeveloped park, or there may be terrain, historic or resource protection issues or other limiting factors. However, there may be some wheelchair accessible features, such as parking areas, restrooms, and routes of travel, that meet some of the current accessibility guidelines. Call the park or email us at access@parks.ca.gov for details.
Disclaimer
We are working to improve accessibility throughout our parks but we regret that there are currently no (wheelchair) accessible activities at this park. This may be an undeveloped park, or there may be terrain, historic or resource protection issues or other limiting factors. However, there may be some wheelchair accessible features, such as parking areas, restrooms, and routes of travel, that meet some of the current accessibility guidelines. Call the park or email us at access@parks.ca.gov for details.
Community Trips
Loop around the hydraulic mining pit.
