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Emigrant Gap, California

Emigrant Gap, California, is a top destination for outdoor adventures, offering some of the best trails and outdoor activities. A must-visit is the scenic Snow Mountain hiking trail. This moderate difficulty trail winds through lush forests and past sparkling creeks, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The trail also features unique rock formations that add an extra layer of interest to the hike. For those interested in water activities, Bear River is nearby and perfect for a refreshing dip or a peaceful canoe ride. In winter, the area transforms into a playground for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Emigrant Gap is a prime location for anyone seeking diverse and scenic outdoor activities.

Top Spots in and near Emigrant Gap

  • Nevada City, California

    Emerald Pools

    4.0
    0.68 mi / 49 ft gain
    Emerald Pools is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Emigrant Gap, California.
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  • Nevada City, California

    Bowman Road and Meadow Lake Road to Henness Pass

    3.0
    35.45 mi / 4895 ft gain
    Bowman Road and Meadow Lake Road to Henness Pass is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Alta, California.
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  • Placer County, California

    Paddle Lake Valley Reservoir

    A perfect adventure spot off Highway 80, Lake Valley Reservoir offers paddlers prime parking and a paved boat launch to push off on a mountain lake with an island for picnicking. Lake speed is 10 mph so fishing boats with outboards are allowed but they have to take it slow.  Post launch, head le...
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  • Emigrant Gap, California

    33mi Loop to Donner Lake

    33 mi
    We love this 33-mile loop on old Highway 40 from Cisco Grove to Donner Lake and back. It has just about everything: a few flats, a long slow pull, rollers, a screaming downhill, a tough Alpine climb and a long, cruising downhill. Not to mention altitude. The ride starts at a little above 6,000 fe...
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  • Nevada City, California

    Backpack to Lower Rock Lake

    3 mi / 713 ft gain
    This adventure begins at the Lindsey Lake Campground parking lot (6,200 feet) where you leave your vehicle, takes you three miles up a trail rife with amazing photo opportunities and seasonal wildlife, and ends on the shore of Lower Rock Lake. Here you will find a dispersed camping site owned by ...
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  • Emigrant Gap, California

    Loch Leven Viewpoint Trail

    5.0
    6.41 mi / 1522 ft gain
    Loch Leven Viewpoint Trail is an out-and-back trail to a viewpoint of the Loch Leven Lakes that is moderately difficult located near Truckee, California. This trail is just under 6.5 miles. If you're willing to add a little more than a mile to your adventure, you can head all the way to Upper Loc...
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  • Loch Leven Lakes Trailhead, California

    Loch Leven Lakes Trail

    4.4
    7.6 mi / 1480 ft gain
    The trail is easy to follow for the first half mile until you get to some large slabs of granite. As you continue up the trail look for stacked rocks, these will give you a an easy route as you continue up the mountain. The trail then starts to switch back eventually leading to a small bridge. Af...
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  • Truckee, California

    Backpack the Palisades Creek Trail

    4.0
    15 mi / 2200 ft gain
    After driving out to Kidd Lakes and parking at the trailhead, you take off through some easy forest hiking past Cascade Lakes and Long Lake. Pay attention to the cairns marking the trail as you traverse across a large granite section with Devils Peak to your West. The trail is easy to follow and ...
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  • Truckee, California

    Swim at Long Lake near Truckee

    3.7
    1.5 mi / 100 ft gain
    The story goes that twenty or so years ago, long before the advent of the Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Area, some local Truckee boys decided to put a couple rope swings up on Long Lake near Soda Springs, CA, and they remain there to this day.Long Lake sits amongst a cluster of both man-made and ...
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  • Foresthill, California

    Explore Sugar Pine Reservoir

    4.3
    Just a few miles north of Foresthill, Sugar Pine is a lesser known reservoir found in Placer County that is surprisingly unpopulated for how much the park provides. A swim suit, some friends, and some good music can be all it takes to have a good time.There is a boat-launching station that is eas...
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  • Nevada City, California

    Hike the Diggins Loop Trail

    5.0
    2.7 mi
    Check in and pay for your parking or present California State Parks Pass at the museum building in North Bloomfield.  After paying for parking there are several different options to get onto the Diggins Loop trail.  Access to the Diggins Loop trail can be found by the Park Headcounters by jumping...
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  • Nevada City, California

    South Yuba River: Edwards Crossing to Purdon Crossing

    5.0
    4.2 mi / 639 ft gain
    South Yuba River: Edwards Crossing to Purdon Crossing is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a river located near North San Juan, California.
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  • Nevada City, California

    Swim at Edwards Crossing on the South Yuba River

    5.0
    2.74 mi / 1302 ft gain
    There are endless swimming holes on the South Yuba River the feature crystal clear water, massive granite boulders and pristine pocket beaches, particularly those lower in the foothills. Many are separated by sections of rapids, but can be reached via the growing trail system of the South Yuba Ri...
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  • Soda Springs, California

    Hike to the Top of Andesite Peak

    5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    From the trail map sign, follow the dirt path straight, following signs for the cross-country skiing route, not snowmobiling. Continue until you see a trail marker. You'll veer left to head over to the Hole in the Ground trail. Once you see another identical trail map board, you'll head left. Thi...
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  • Soda Springs, California

    Summit Castle Peak

    4.0
    6 mi / 1800 ft gain
    The trailhead is very easy to access as it is just off Highway 80 at the Boreal Mountain exit. When taking the exit, take a turn to the North, rather than to Boreal on the South side of the Highway. On busy summer weekends this trailhead can get quite crowded so you may have to park at the bottom...
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  • Nevada City, California

    Take a Family Ride

    4.5
    Well if you start at Banner Lava Cap and Gracie Roads then you will see the canal at the top of Gracie Rd. Hop onto the berm of the canal and head north {upstream}. The trail is dirt and about 4 ft wide in the beginning and widens to 6 to 8 ft for most the way . Continue upstream on the canal and...
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Camping and Lodging in Emigrant Gap

North Fork (Ca)
Emigrant Gap, California

North Fork (Ca)

Tunnel Mills Ii
Colfax, California

Tunnel Mills Ii

Skillman
Horse Camp Road

Skillman

Big Bend Group (Yuba River)
Emigrant Gap, California

Big Bend Group (Yuba River)

White Cloud
Nevada City, California

White Cloud

Findley Campground
Unnamed Road

Findley Campground

Guides, Insights and Stories from Emigrant Gap

The Most Relaxing Backpacking Trip I've Ever Taken with My Dog, Jack

The Most Relaxing Backpacking Trip I've Ever Taken with My Dog, Jack

Benjamin Canevari

Marmot Men's Featherless Jacket Reviewed

Marmot Men's Featherless Jacket Reviewed

Mike Fennell

Outbound Reviewed: Therm-a-Rest Parsec 20F Sleeping Bag and ProLite Sleeping Pad

Outbound Reviewed: Therm-a-Rest Parsec 20F Sleeping Bag and ProLite Sleeping Pad

Mike Fennell

Review: Hibear All-Day Adventure Flask

Review: Hibear All-Day Adventure Flask

Kristi Teplitz

Nordica Strider 115 Women’s Ski Boot Review

Nordica Strider 115 Women’s Ski Boot Review

Kristi Teplitz

Review: Body Glove Navigator+ Inflatable SUP w/ Backpack

Review: Body Glove Navigator+ Inflatable SUP w/ Backpack

Michael McSherry