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Perhaps the best kept
secret within the California State Park
System,
Plumas-Eureka State Park is steeped in
history and is rich with recreation and
natural resources. Located five miles from
Graeagle on Johnsville Road (County Road
A-14), the 4,500-acre park is located at the
foot of Eureka Peak, (originally called Gold
Mountain) which produced some $25 million in
gold from hard-rock mining during the late
1800s. The park features unmatched
landscapes, a myriad of hiking trails and a
pristine 67-site first come, first served
campground set underneath towering pines
along Jamison Creek. Be sure to visit the
park's indoor-outdoor museum of early gold
mining equipment and relics, a complete
blacksmith shop, a partially restored
stamp mill, and a restored miner's home. You
can also peer inside the entrance to the
Eureka Shaft and see the old timbers.
Park docents in period attire re-create a
miner's lifestyle during Gold Discovery Days
(July 19-20). Blacksmith
demonstrations, mining lore and home tours
help take visitors back to the 1890's. A
pancake breakfast is also part of the fun. The park
surrounds the historic former mining
community of Johnsville. At an elevation of
4,720 to 7,447 feet, it has an abundance of
plant and animal life. Interpretive
events such as campfire programs, nature
walks and history tours are offered during
the summer season. Supervised
gold-panning is offered in Jamison Creek.
In the wintertime, the park is transformed into a winter paradise. Visitors
can drive the well-cleared roads to enjoy the various cross-country ski loops,
or continue on to Eureka Bowl, the birthplace of downhill ski racing, and the
site of the Historic Longboard Ski
Revival Series races organized by the Plumas Ski Club.
Park admission is free, and it’s open year-round. During the winter the
museum has limited hours when staff is available. Museum admission is $3,
ages 17 and older, $2, ages 5 to 16, and free to children under 5. For more
information, call the park at (530) 836-2380.
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