Upper Jamison Creek Campground

If you’ve got a bike, bring it, because you will definitely not want to miss out on exploring these gold-tinged hills set at the base of the truly stunning Eureka Hill. There are a variety of paved and off-road trails that criss-cross the park, all you’ll have to decide is whether you are in the mood for a dirt-path adventure or an smooth cruise amongst the pines.

There’s fish in these hills! Licensed anglers can carve out a spot along one of the many rivers and streams in the park, which have been known to yield a nice catch (not to mention an extremely pleasant afternoon by the water). Fish aren’t all that abide in those waters: check out our section on gold panning for information on a catch of a different kind!

Go back to the days of yesteryear, when prospectors stomped across this rich land in search of gold, armed with nothing but a pickaxe and an iron will. The good folks at Plumas-Eureka State Park have saved you the trouble of bushwhacking and carving out your own path, however, and provided some of the best hiking trails in the state. One of our favorites is the climb up Eureka but be sure to check them all out! You might even stumble upon some waterfalls!

In case being the center of the gold rush wasn’t interesting enough, this park is also, literally, the site of the very first ski race. Take in the absolutely stunning wintertime scenery (Eureaka Point, reflected in the still and silent Eureaka Lake, is pretty magnificent) and follow in the history of the park by trying some snowshoeing or skiing. The park has one downhill run, and endless cross country opportunities.

Wanderers through these woods could be rewarded with the sight of a golden eagle perched in one of the many type of trees found in the park (including white fir, Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, and incense cedar). Keep your eyes peeled for other inhabitants on the mountainside as well, including black bears, foxes, mountain lions, porcupines, deer and even bobcats in the more remote areas. Birdwatchers, be on the lookout for nuthatches, mountain chickadees, and western tanagers.