Nevada Tours an Vacation
There are so many exciting things to do in Nevada, that when planning your vacation, you may consider taking one of the many Nevada tours. How do you decide what type of tour to take? What’s your pleasure? There are Nevada tours for all tastes and all budgets.
If you are an independent traveler, you might choose one of the self guided Nevada tours. However, if you want the guidance of an expert on the area, you may want to consider one of the guided group Nevada tours. Another thing to consider is the type of vehicle you want to use when touring Nevada. You can explore by car, horseback, and bicycle or even by foot. If you want to travel back in time, some companies offer horse and buggy Nevada tours.
What is it about Nevada that you find interesting? Many people come for the landscape and unique desert geology. Others are drawn to the lure of the casinos. However, if you have always harbored a fascination for nuclear energy, you may want to check out the Nevada test site tour. The Nevada test site is a United States Department of Energy reservation. When it was established on January 11, 1951, it was known as the Nevada Proving Grounds. Located in Nye County, Nevada the Nevada test site is composed of close to 1,350 square miles of desert and mountains. Between the years 1951 and 1992, there were a total of 925 tests that were conducted at the Nevada test site. Throughout the 1950s, the mushroom clouds that occurred because of these tests could be seen for 100 miles in either direction of the test site. Ironically, the clouds themselves became major tourist attractions.
Today, it is possible to take a Nevada test site tour. If you are interested in the history of nuclear testing, this can well be the highlight of your Nevada vacation. The Nevada test site tour usually begins at the Atomic Testing Museum. The tour is conducted on a rest room equipped chartered bus. Keep in mind that you entering a restricted access government reservation. So you will need to apply in advance for your Nevada test site tour. You will need to supply your social security number, date and place of birth, hone address, employer and citizenship. Cell phones, cameras, firearms and laptops are not permitted during the Nevada test site tour.
If the Nevada test site tour sounds a bit too intellectual for a Nevada vacation, you may want to consider one of the exciting Las Vegas tours. Why would anyone be interested in Las Vegas tours? There are so many clubs, hotels and shows in Las Vegas, that it’s sometimes difficult to figure out which ones are worth visiting. Perhaps you are excited about the Vegas club life, but not too excited about the lines at the clubs. There are some Las Vegas tours that feature VIP hosts who will walk you past the lines!
Since you are close enough to Arizona, you should think about taking an exciting Las Vegas Grand Canyon tour. Some of these tours even include the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. You can take a Las Vegas Grand Canyon tour by helicopter, hummer or bus.
NEVADA COUNTY HIKING
Bear River Bridge
Bear River, 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
Bridgeport, Nevada County
To Start
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.
Edward Crossing
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
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. 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.
INDEPENDENCE TRAIL
To Start
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.
NEVADA CITY TRAILS
DETAILED MAPS FOR THESE TRAILS CAN BE OBTAINED
FROM THE FOREST SERVICE HEADQUARTERS
AT 631 COYOTE ST, NEVADA CITY, CA, 95959
Augustine Agony Trail
START – Cement Hill Rd to Augustine Rd
Banner Mountain Bike Trail
START – Sacramento St & Freeway
Buckeye Loop Bike Trail
START – Cascade Shores General Store
Champion Mine Trail
START - Miner’s Foundry & Factory St
Deer Creek Trail
START – Nevada City Hwy & Providence Mine Rd
Round Mountain Trail
START – North Bloomfield Road & Rock Creek Road
Travel SHOP
Best links
