Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park

The Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park is located in Nevada City, California. Hikes offer up close looks at huge cliffs that were carved by the mining techniques of the world's largest hydraulic gold mine. There is a nearly 8,000-foot bedrock tunnel, as well as a visitor center with exhibits on the mining life. Visitors can camp on campsites and cabins, which are open from mid-April until Labor Day weekend. Summer and spring at the park are warm and the fall and winters are cool. Visitors to the park can enjoy a hike around the Diggins Loop Trail. This three mile hike takes walkers around the mining pit which is at a 600-foot elevation loss. You will also pass a cemetery and the Diggins Pond where you may see sandpipers and cattails along the shoreline. There are colorful cliffs surrounding the trail and some hikers believe that at certain times of day it bears a resemblance to Bryce Canyon. Visitors can learn more about the mine by touring the museum which is open during the weekends all summer. Rangers take visitors to various sites in the park and share the restored general store, drug store, Skidmore House and the livery stable. Pamphlets are available at the park office for those who want a self-guided tour of North Bloomfield.