Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park

Volunteer Training and Open House!

We will have a multi-day volunteer training starting March 3rd! Visit Volunteer Programs for detailed information. 

To learn more about the wide variety of volunteer opportunities before the training, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park will host an informational Volunteer Program Open House on February 25th, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Volunteer docents will be staffing tables to talk with the public about the activities they do, and answer questions about the volunteer program.

For more information, email the Sierra Gold Sector Volunteer Coordinator Jean Rhyne or call (530) 273-7714.

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.  

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

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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.

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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)}

Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
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.

The full Geo Gems report  |  Geological Gems of State Parks