Nevada Family Vacation
Nevada Family Vacation Ideas #1:For a family vacation idea in the true spirit of the Old West, head for Nevada Silver Trails, a large area of Utah between Las Vegas and Reno. It’s also called The Pioneer Territory but by either name, this is a landscape of small friendly western towns and wide open spaces; just right for an outdoors family vacation in.
This is the real Nevada, far away from the glitz and showboating of the famous gambling vacation spots to the north and south. It doesn’t matter how old (or young) you are, Nevada Silver Trails will serve up a Western-style adventure vacation for you. Here are 6 vacation ideas located in the Nevada Silver Trails Area.
Nevada Family Vacation Ideas #2:Walker Lake State Recreation Area, home of Walker Lake and its population of Lahontan cutthroat trout, is an oasis for visitors who enjoy fishing, boating, water skiing, canoeing and kayaking, as well as camping, hiking and bird watching. Located 11 miles north of Hawthorne on U.S. 95, the park is open all year.
Family Vacations in Nevada #3:Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park is home to nearly 40 preserved ichthyosaur fossils as well as the turn-of-the-century mining town of Berlin. An interpretive trail winds through the ghost town of Berlin and leads to the Fossil House where the fossils of the giant marine reptiles that swam in a warm ocean 225 million years ago are located. The 1,540-acre park has a visitors center, 14 well-spaced camp sites ideal for individuals or groups and numerous of hiking trails. It’s located in western Nevada, just 23 miles east of Gabbs via state Route 844
Nevada Family Vacation #4:Cathedral Gorge State Park is a long, narrow valley with cave-like formations and cathedral-like spires. Miller Point, a scenic overlook just north of the park entrance on U.S. 93, offers unsurpassed views of the scenic canyon. The tree-shaded campground area is open all year offering hiking, nature study and ranger programs. It’s located in eastern Nevada, just 20 miles west of the Utah border,
Nevada Family Vacation #5:Beaver Dam State Park is Eastern Nevada’s most remote park, and is a popular area for hikers and nature enthusiasts who enjoy its deep canyons, pinion and juniper forests, a flowing stream with fishable trout and numerous beaver dams. The park offers fishing, camping, picnicking, hiking, photography and nature study along with campgrounds, hiking and interpretive trails. Beaver Dam is open year-round, weather permitting, but travel is not advised during winter months.
Nevada Family Vacation Ideas #6:Echo Canyon State Park features a 65-acre reservoir with a campground, group use facilities and boat launch. Filled with abundant wildlife, a variety of native plans and unique rock formations provide a playground for camping, hiking and fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass and white crappie. Echo Canyon is located 12 miles east of Pioche via state Routes 322 and 323.
Nevada Family Vacation #7:The Tonopah Mining Park was named “Best Museum in Rural Nevada” by Nevada magazine. Here you can explore the rich history of an important turn-of-the-century Nevada silver mining with restored buildings and mining exhibits and a mining tour. Tonopah Mining Park is located in the city of Tonopah, once called the Queen of Silver Camps. The park features a variety of mining equipment and interesting displays but the most exciting part is the Underground Tour. Here visitors walk into the old mine and are able to gaze down a 160m / 500ft tunnel shaft.
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
