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
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. - (June 1, 2021)
What is open now?
- Malakoff Diggins is open from sunrise to sunset with COVID-19 guidelines in place.
- Campgrounds.
- 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 - (June 21, 2021)
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.
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Be COVID-19 Safe – State Parks continues to follow guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health:
- Fully Vaccinated Persons: Face coverings are not required in public outdoor settings. For indoor public settings, such as museums and visitor centers, all vaccinated individuals are to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.
- Unvaccinated Persons: Face coverings are required in indoor public settings such as museums and visitor centers.
- 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.
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.
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 May 21, 2021 through October 31, 2021. Please log into (www.reservecalifornia.com) to make your reservations.
Important: The Cabins will not be available for the 2021 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 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.