Outbound Collective logo

Nevada County, California

Looking for the best hiking in Nevada County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Nevada County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Nevada County

  • 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 ...
    Read more
  • Oroville, California

    Feather River Trail Upper Section

    3.23 mi / 89 ft gain
    Feather River Trail Upper Section is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Oroville, California.
    Read more
  • Gold River, California

    Hike the American River Parkway: Fair Oaks Bridge to Hazel Ave.

    5.0
    4.7 mi / 249 ft gain
    This area is possibly one of my favorite stretches of trail along the American River Parkway (for my route, click here. On this trail, you'll get great views of the American River, experience lush fern gullies, and depending on the seasons can see all sorts of wildlife, mostly birds along with t...
    Read more
  • Carmichael, California

    Hike through the Effie Yeaw Nature Preserve

    4.3
    4.48 mi / 161 ft gain
    DetailsEffie Yeaw Nature Preserve is named after Effie Yeaw, a teacher, conservationist and environmental educator who frequented the area on educational nature walks. She was one of the leading forces behind preserving the land now known as The American River Parkway.Effie Yeaw Nature Preserve...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • Oroville, California

    Hike to Hollow Falls

    5.0
    1 mi
    The first step of this fun little hike is to park at the handy parking lot located at 2488 Cherokee Rd., Oroville, CA up on Table Mountain. Many people park here for the hike to the more well-known Phantom Falls, which is a much longer hike than the one to Hollow Falls. From the lot, look for an ...
    Read more
  • Oroville, California

    Hike to Phantom Falls

    4.6
    4.2 mi / 850 ft gain
    Dropping off a 135 ft cliff is a very well hidden waterfall with no trails leading to it. But if you do find it, it is an epic natural wonder.It is best to come here in the winter months, after a lot of rain. But it is also well worth coming in the spring when the wildflowers on Table Mountain ar...
    Read more
  • 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 ...
    Read more
  • 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 ...
    Read more
  • Placerville, California

    Rock Climb the Cosumnes River Gorge

    5.0
    Consumes River Gorge is a good climbing spot that is relativity close to Sacramento, California. it is located just outside of Placerville, California, making it a must-stop climbing spot for any Sacramento or Eldorado county local. The climbing spot boasts granite climbing areas with over a hund...
    Read more
  • Sierra City, California

    Sierra Buttes Lookout Trail

    5.09 mi / 1365 ft gain
    Sierra Buttes Lookout Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Sierra City, California.
    Read more
  • Pollock Pines, United States

    Hiking the Jenkinson Lake Loop Trail at Sly Park

    4.0
    The Jenkinson Lake Loop Trail runs along Jenkinson Lake, making for an easy, shaded, and well-marked hike that the entire family can enjoy. The full loop is over eight miles, but can be easily modified into a shorter trip, as well.Along the way, you will see a variety of activities along the lake...
    Read more
  • Sierra City, California

    Sardine Lakes

    1.32 mi / 253 ft gain
    Sardine Lakes is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Sierra City, California.
    Read more
  • Sierra City, California

    Sierra Buttes and Sardine Lakes

    4.8
    6.19 mi / 3333 ft gain
    The Sierra Buttes are one of the most scenic mountain features in all of the Sierra Nevadas. Nestled below the buttes are Upper and Lower Sardine lakes which both offer amazing fishing. Sardine Lake Resort lies at the base of the mountains and offers boat rentals, dining and cabin rentals. Just m...
    Read more
  • Calpine, California

    Camp at Salmon Creek Campground

    Salmon Creek Campground is a quiet campground in the Northern Sierra Buttes. Since it is right up the road from Sardine Lakes it seems to get overlooked a bit. We were able to reserve three campsites the same week of our trip. There were 11 to choose from! The campground is just passed the turn f...
    Read more