Plumas-Eureka State Park

An artful blend of history and nature, Plumas-Eureka State Park shows off the best of eastern California without leaning upon the gimmicky tchotchke shops popular with other gold country destinations. Locals congregate under the lower Sierra pines to mountain bike, hike, snag trout to fry, and camp. This park is a very popular destination in summer, so book well in advance. Travelers on the gold trail here like to try to sluice their way to gold in one of California's most historically rich destinations — part of this park was once deemed Gold Mountain, hence the eureka moniker. This region was once a heavily populated tent city, with twelve ...

An artful blend of history and nature, Plumas-Eureka State Park shows off the best of eastern California without leaning upon the gimmicky tchotchke shops popular with other gold country destinations. Locals congregate under the lower Sierra pines to mountain bike, hike, snag trout to fry, and camp. This park is a very popular destination in summer, so book well in advance. Travelers on the gold trail here like to try to sluice their way to gold in one of California's most historically rich destinations — part of this park was once deemed Gold Mountain, hence the eureka moniker. This region was once a heavily populated tent city, with twelve town buildings — and as with all good gold rush towns, exactly half of them were saloons — some of which you can still tour on your visit, including the Mohawk Stamp Mill, where the park headquarters is located. This town allegedly housed the country's first ski lift, and some claim that the sport was first experienced right here! An annual race occurs to celebrate the daring ways the 49ers raced down snow-covered mountains.

About the Expert

Michele Bigley is the author of Northern California: An Explorer's Guide and Great Destinations Kauai from Countryman Press.