2020-2021_Nevada County Gold

Tahoe National
Forest
Outdoor Activities
Things to See and Do in Sierra County
1. EXPLORE THE FOREST
Much of Sierra County is located within
the Tahoe National Forest where campgrounds,
trails, lakes and rivers are just
waiting to be enjoyed. Tahoe National
Forest, fs.usda.gov/tahoe/
2. LAKES BASIN RECREATION AREA
Take Hwy. 49, turn left at Bassetts Station
for a “must do” scenic drive on Gold
Lake Highway. The area has the 8,587 foot
craggy Sierra Buttes and 45 mountain lakes.
Road popular with cross country skiers and
snowmobilers.
3. ADULT NATURE CAMP
June–August, San Francisco State Sierra
Nevada Field Campus near Bassetts
Station offers a number of courses such as
Bird Identification by Song, Trees & Shrubs
of Northern Sierra Nevada and Medicinal
& Edible Wild Plants, as well as writing
workshops and plein air painting.
sierra.sfsu.edu
4. MOUNTAIN/ROAD BICYCLING
Check out the well maintained, world
class trails around Downieville. Or take a
road ride through the Sierra Valley.
5. ENJOY THE WATER
Fly fish or find a swimming hole on the
North Fork of the Yuba River, see the
Sierra Valley by kayak, swim off a sandy
beach in Downieville.
6. MUST SEE
The spectacular Loves Falls, about a mile
northeast of Sierra City, are an easy walk
from Hwy. 49. Also a good place to swim.
See the enlarged map for details.
YUBA DONNER SCENIC BYWAY
The Byway is a 160 mile scenic, historic loop
mainly through Sierra and Nevada Counties.
The route uses all-weather highways open all
year, but snow closures are possible. Driving
times: Entire Route–3 hr. 15 min. Nevada City
to Downieville 1 hr. Downieville to Sierraville
45 min. Sierraville to Truckee 30 min. Truckee
to Nevada City 1 hr.
7. YUBA PASS
Stop at the Sierra Valley Overlook on
Hwy. 49 for a wonderful panoramic view.
8. BIRDING
A special place for bird viewing is the
Sierra Valley due to extensive wetlands
and location on a major flyway.
MAP PHOTOS :
(4) MOUNTAIN BIKING, BENJAMIN FISH / (5) NORTH FORK YUBA RIVER,
WAYDE CARROLL / (6) LOVE FALLS, MARK ERICKSON /
(8) SIERRA VALLEY, ANDREW WRIGHT / LIGHTHAWKPHOTO
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