How many of Northern California’s state parks have you visited? From redwood forests to the rugged coast, state parks in our region of the Golden State embody a variety of different landscapes. Sometimes they even help to preserve some important local history, like the underrated gem featured here. Plumas-Eureka State Park is a bit off-the-beaten-path, but those who take the time to explore it will be blown away by the Gold Rush history that lingers here. Take a look:
Tucked away in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range of Plumas County is a seriously underrated gem that's worth an adventure. Plumas-Eureka State Park preserves and displays artifacts from the California Gold Rush and it'll take you back to our state's early days.
Established in 1959, the focal point of this state park is the historic area that remains from back when it was a real working mining camp. Providing a rare glimpse into a prominent era of California history, it's simply not very often you see buildings like this so wonderfully preserved.
When visiting, be sure to stop by the visitor center for information on the natural and cultural history of the park. It's located inside of the old miner's bunkhouse. It also boasts a small but fascinating museum.
Just across from the museum is the historic mining area that visitors can explore at their leisure. The area consists of several old mining structures, including the Mohawk Stamp Mill, Bushman five-stamp mill, stable, mine office, and a historic residence known as the Moriarity House.
The camp that's preserved here sprang to life when gold was discovered on the east side of Eureka Peak in 1851. Soon after the discovery, the area was loaded with both individual miners and entire mining companies looking to scoop up some of the profit. Mining in the area stopped permanently in the 1940s - by this time over 8 million dollars worth of gold had been mined from the area.
The history may be the main reason to pay a visit to this remote park, but it's not the only reason. The area is rich with natural beauty, as well. Be sure to take advantage of the numerous hiking trails in the area, and check out the fishing opportunities along Jamison Creek or in one of the nearby alpine lakes.
History and nature combine at this underrated state park near Blairsden, California. The next time you're looking for an adventure in NorCal's Gold Country, consider a road trip to Plumas-Eureka State Park. Visit the California State Parks website for more information, including current park conditions.
Have you been to this underrated gem of a park? What’s your favorite place in NorCal that preserves Gold Rush history? We’d love to hear from you! Fill out a nomination form for any destinations you’d like to see featured at Only In Northern California in the future.
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