The park is open daily on a self-guided basis from sunrise until sunset. The Visitor Center and Museum are currently open 7 days a week.
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
(May 18, 2022) Order No. 683-22-021 Districtwide Day Use - Charcoal Restrictions
Due to dry conditions, increased day-use visitation levels and increasing fire dangers, a finding of extreme fire hazard has been made as specified below. For the protection of park resources and public safety the following restrictions are hereby enacted: Charcoal fires are prohibited in day-use areas of the Park until December 1, 2022.
Due to dry conditions, increased day-use visitation levels and increasing fire dangers, a finding of extreme fire hazard has been made as specified below. For the protection of park resources and public safety the following restrictions are hereby enacted: Charcoal fires are prohibited in day-use areas of the Park until December 1, 2022.
This park unit is partially open. Please take the time to read the information contained on this webpage to find out what is open and closed, and what COVID-19 guidelines are in place. - (September 1, 2021)
What is open now?
- Malakoff Diggins is open from sunrise to sunset with COVID-19 guidelines in place.
- 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.
- Visitor Center during business hours for fee collection, information, restrooms, and gift shop. Limited visitor access to exhibits inside building. Masks are required in public buildings and spaces where physical distancing is not easily maintained.
What is currently closed?
- All historic buildings.
COVID-19 Guidelines - (February 16, 2022)
Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:
Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:
- Know Before You Go – Prior to leaving home, check the status of the park unit you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Have a back-up plan in case your destination is crowded. Stay home if you are sick
- Plan Ahead – Some restrooms will be temporarily closed to keep up with cleaning schedules. Bring soap/hand sanitizer.
- Play It Safe – Find out what precautions you should take when exploring the outdoors, especially if this is your first time visiting the State Park System. Learn more at parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
- Be COVID-19 Safe – State Parks continues to meet guidance from local and state public officials as COVID-19 is still present and still deadly. Effective March 1, 2022, state guidance recommends that all individuals, regardless of vaccine status, continue masking in indoor settings, such as museums and visitor centers. Universal masking remains required in specified high-risk settings. Please plan ahead as local county guidelines may differ from state guidance and visitors are urged to follow county guidelines when required. Read the latest COVID-19 guidance at COVID19.ca.gov.
- Leave No Trace – Leave areas better than how you found them by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.
Phone Number
(530) 265-2740
Max. Trailer Lengths
Trailer: Up to 18 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: Up to 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.
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.
We’re Hiring!
We're looking for someone to join our interpretive team as a Senior Park Aid to work on developing and presenting interpretive programing related to the Environmental Restoration Project at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park. Have a passion for Malakoff Diggins, or want to call this State Park your office? This just might be the perfect job for you.
This position is full time, but seasonal. Hours are flexible. This position may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Pay range is $17.49 - $19.32 per hour. The reporting location for this position is Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park; housing might be available at this location.
Final Filing Date: 11/28/2022
Check out the full job listing, eligibility requirements, and application process
Location & Directions
Do not follow your GPS unless you wish to travel on a dirt road for several miles. North Bloomfield Road and Relief Hill Road are not recommended: road conditions vary due to weather; high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles highly suggested.
For an all paved route to the park: 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 where the park sign is located, then right again on North Bloomfield Road at the bottom of the hill. 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.
Land Acknowledgement
California State Parks acknowledges the Nisenan People were here in this State Park since time immemorial. The Nisenan People are still here today, though they are nearly invisible.
The Sierra District of California State Parks includes their story in our interpretation and education here at the Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park. We understand we are on Nisenan Land and that the original Tribal Families have yet to recover from the near genocide of their people during the California Gold Rush.
California State Parks supports the Nevada City Rancheria Tribe in efforts to stabilize their people as well as the campaign to restore Tribal sovereignty through Federal Recognition.
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
Open sites for the Chute Hill Campground and in-town cabins will be available by reservations only for the 2022 season. Please log into (www.reservecalifornia.com) to make your reservations.
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 review Sierra Gold Sector Film Permit information.
(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.