The park is open daily on a self-guided basis from sunrise until sunset. The Visitor Center will be open 7 days a week. The Museum and all other historic buildings are closed at this time.
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
UPDATE (June 22, 2020) - As California State Parks begins working with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved, it is important for visitors to continue to practice physical distancing and avoid congregating with people outside their immediate household. Everyone has the responsibility to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Here are some guidelines for people visiting Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park:
What is open now?
Malakoff Diggins is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to active recreation with restrictions in place to encourage social distancing.
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
At this park:
Statewide:
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors. For more information, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
Here are some guidelines for people visiting Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park:
What is open now?
Malakoff Diggins is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to active recreation with restrictions in place to encourage social distancing.
- Very limited parking is now available to the public.
- All trail systems are available and active recreation will be permitted.
- Outdoor restrooms will be available.
- Campgrounds FOR EXISTING RESERVATIONS and limited Walk-ins starting June 22. For more information about camping, visit www.parks.ca.gov/COVID19Camping. To make a reservation, visit www.ReserveCalifornia.com or call 800-444-7275. Group campsites are not currently available for reservation or walk-in.
- Visitor Center during business hours for campsite check-in and gift shop curbside sales of firewood and water only. Masks are required in public buildings and spaces where physical distancing is not easily maintained.
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
At this park:
- All historic buildings.
Statewide:
- Many campgrounds across the state remain closed until further notice. Some campgrounds have started to reopen with modifications. For more information, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/COVID19Camping.
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
- Stay Local: Stay close to home. Walk or bike into the park. Parking is very limited. Do not take road trips to parks and beaches or to neighboring states.
- Stay Active: Keep walking, jogging, hiking and biking. Watch for one-way trails.
- Stay Safer at 6 Feet: Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Gatherings, picnics and parties are not allowed. Visitors will be asked to leave if there are too many people at the park, beach or on trails to allow for the required physical distance.
- Stay Clean: Be prepared. Bring soap/sanitizer and pack out all trash.
- Stay Covered: The state now requires you to wear a face covering in most indoor settings and public outdoor spaces when you cannot maintain physical distancing of six feet or more from people outside of your immediate household. For details, please visit CDPH’s guidance here. Visitors should also abide by their local county health orders.
Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors. For more information, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
Phone Number
(530) 265-2740
Max. Trailer Lengths
Trailer: 18 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: 24 Feet
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Except for service animals, dogs not allowed inside historic buildings.
Driving Directions to Malakoff Diggins SHP
Travel 11-miles north on highway-49 toward Downieville. Turn right onto Tyler Foote Road, stay on the pavement and follow the yellow line to the park. The road changes names a few times (Curzon Grade Road, Back Bone Road, Derbec Road, North Bloomfield Road).These are not high-speed roads. The park is 26-miles from Nevada City.
Camping and Lodging
Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
BOATING
Boating
Boating
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
En route Campsites
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
Alternative Camping
RV Access
En route Campsites
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
Alternative Camping
RV Access
TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Swimming
Vista Point
Museums
Family Programs
Geocaching
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Swimming
Vista Point
Museums
Family Programs
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Park Information
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park is nestled amongst the pine-studded chaparral forest of the Sierra Nevada Foothills and is home to California’s largest hydraulic gold mine. The 3,000-acre park encompasses the town of North Bloomfield and the historic Diggins site, which allows visitors to step back in time and experience the boom and bust of the California Gold Rush. Visitors can see huge cliffs carved by mighty jets of water, results of the gold-mining technique of washing away entire mountains to find gold. Legal battles between mine companies and the downstream agricultural towns of Marysville and Yuba City ended this particular method of mining, and was the first environmental lawsuit in the United States. The park Visitor Center features displays on mining and pioneer life in the old mining town of North Bloomfield, as well as a short video on hydraulic mining. The park also offers unparalleled hiking, camping, and fishing opportunities, and, in winter, snowshoeing.
April 16, 2020: Humbug Creek Trail Closed Due to Recent Landslides and Tree Failures
The Humbug Creek is closed to the public due to safety concerns caused by recent landslides and tree failures. A District Superintendent Order enacting the closures is currently in effect.
The Humbug Creek Trail that runs from Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park to South Yuba River State Park is closed due to major tree and soil failures on the southern portion of the trail. Damage is extensive, covering approximate 200 yards of trail, making it impassable. At this time, State Parks does not know when repairs can be paid to reopen the trail. Crews are accessing the site to survey the damage.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in staying off the trails for your own safety. If you have any further questions, please call the Sierra District Office at (530) 273-3884.
The Humbug Creek is closed to the public due to safety concerns caused by recent landslides and tree failures. A District Superintendent Order enacting the closures is currently in effect.
The Humbug Creek Trail that runs from Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park to South Yuba River State Park is closed due to major tree and soil failures on the southern portion of the trail. Damage is extensive, covering approximate 200 yards of trail, making it impassable. At this time, State Parks does not know when repairs can be paid to reopen the trail. Crews are accessing the site to survey the damage.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in staying off the trails for your own safety. If you have any further questions, please call the Sierra District Office at (530) 273-3884.
Trail information
Malakoff Diggins has over 20 miles of trails throughout the park. Trails range in length from 1/2 mile to 3 miles one way, from easy to steep elevation changes. Call the park to learn about available dog-friendly trails. Dogs must be on a controlled leash at all times.
Camping Information
The Chute Hill Campground will be available by reservations only from June 12, 2020 through October 31, 2020. Please log into (www.reservecalifornia.com) to make your reservations.
Important: The Cabins will not be available for the 2020 camping season.
Location-Directions
Do not use your GPS unless you wish to travel on a dirt road for 7 miles. North Bloomfield Road is not recommended. For an all paved route to the park travel from Nevada City, travel 11-miles north on highway 49 toward Downieville. Turn right on Tyler Foote Road from Highway 49 and follow the main paved road to the park. The main road changes names a few times from Tyler Foote Road to Cruzon Grade Road to Back Bone Road. Turn right on Derbec Road then right on 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.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
Filming Videos and Still Photography in State Parks
California State Parks thanks you for choosing our beautiful parks for your photographic activities and sharing the wonders of our park units with the world. However, in order to maintain the beauty of our parks and its natural and cultural resources, we request that all commercial, still and motion picture photographers obtain a film permit from the California Film Commission.California State Parks requires an approved film permit for:
- All commercial still photography and videography
- Professional photographers offering services
- Student photo/film
- Professional development projects
Drones are not permitted unless a special permit is granted. Use film and photography permits link below for further contact information.
To learn more, please visit our blog here.
For specific film permit information at Empire Mine State Historic Park, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park or South Yuba River State Park, please click here.
(Photograph by Mike Fuller)At Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, the ancient river gravels are important from a geologic perspective in that they provide insight into the timing of the geologic events that gave rise to the current Sierra Nevada. From the human perspective, the gold in the gravels was a source of vast wealth that drove that development of early California.