If you're looking for something fun to do in Northern Nevada, I can't recommend the Chollar Mine…read moreTour enough! Our tour guide, Gary, absolutely made the experience! He has an incredible knowledge of Virginia City and Northern Nevada history, but he shares it in a way that's engaging, funny, and easy to follow. His sense of humor was the perfect mix of clever and classic jokes, which kept both the adults and the kids entertained! Before we even stepped into the mine, Gary sat us under a tree and told the story of Virginia City and The Comstock Load. I've lived in Northern Nevada for years, and he still taught me things I had never heard before! It was a great reminder of just how much fascinating history we have right here in our own backyard. I also appreciated how patient and thoughtful he was with everyone in our group, especially the children and those who needed a little extra time walking through the mine. He made sure everyone felt included. As a bonus, Gary is also an author! I ended up buying one of his books (I collect children's books for my office), and he has written other books too. I may have to buy the others with my next visit. Whether you're visiting from out of town, or you've lived here for years, the Chollar Mine Tour is absolutely worth experiencing. We had a wonderful time and plan to come back with more friends and family! p.s. Ask for a ghost story or two!

Super interesting tour. A must if you really want to learn about mining in the old days. Tours…read moretypically run once an hour at 15 past the hour during the hours they are open. Check the website for the hours as they change seasonally. All the old artifacts lying around the yard are also quite interesting to look at. If you can't walk the length of a football field hunched over so your head (with helmet) doesn't hit the low beams, or are highly claustrophobic, this tour is NOT for you. CASH ONLY.

Located between Tahoe and Reno, Virginia City is really a neat little place to appreciate the…read morehistory of the area. I wanted my kids to have some hands on learning and I was searching for a place where they could pan for gold/other minerals. Apparently, one could theoretically pan just about anywhere that's not staked or claimed but I wanted the tourist experience - materials provided, easy-peasy, walk in and walk out. I was really happy I found about this new-ish shop which didn't have any Google reviews and wasn't listed on Yelp! We went and were very happy with the whole experience. Our group of kids were aged 4-12 and all of them thought this was the highlight of their Tahoe/Reno area trip. The prices are Pyrite, Gemstones, Silver and Gold are 5, 10, 20 and 30 per pan respectively. You get a pan of sand and your chosen mineral and then you go through the process of sifting and panning at the troughs with a short demonstration to get you going. Spencer, the owner, is a wealth of knowledge but I appreciated that he made it all age appropriate for the younger kids. Overall, highly recommended!

Visiting Empire Mine State Historic Park on a Friday afternoon made for a fascinating glimpse into…read morethe area's rich mining history. The various on-site museums do a fantastic job showcasing what daily life was like in an active gold mine. The absolute highlight was touring the historic Cottage on the grounds, which is stunning and full of character. Just be sure to check the tour schedule before you go, as Cottage access runs on a limited timetable.

Absolutely lovely grounds to explore, specifically the cottage house. A fun little glimpse into a…read moredifferent time of long ago. The mine shaft was obviously the highlight, which we were able to go down into without paying for a tour. Very cool with just the right element of spooky as you imagine being a miner at the turn of the century, traveling thousands of feet underground, by candlelight! We also checked out the surrounding buildings which have buttons you press that give you a synopsis of what you're looking at. We popped into the blacksmiths building where a couple blacksmiths were putting on demonstrations of skills required to work this job for the miners. There was also a quaint gift shop in the museum section where we got our kiddo a vile of gold as a fun little souvenir.

1/5/2019: I wrote several reviews for James Marshall Monument and Coloma State Park; however, all…read moremy reviews mysteriously disappeared! Yah~YELP! Where ARE my reviews, eh? THEREFORE, I searched ALL the YELP! photos I posted: I found a few photos dated 1/5/2019 as PROOF I did write my reviews for both locations. Disappointingly, ALL my photos AND reviews for James Marshall's Monument and Coloma State Park event MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARED AFTER 2019! UNHAPPY! Anyway, in June 2022, I attended a Military Funeral I personally arranged at James Marshall's Monument for my deceased Army friend who passed away plus, instrumentally preventing his family from spending an egregious, heinous sum for funeral expenses, i.e., I contacted the Coloma State Park's Head Supervisor Ranger on my friend's family's behalf. Blessed, the Head Park Ranger Supervisor contacted my friend's family a couple days later who only had to pay $75.00 for reserving James Marshall's Monument location for my friend's Military funeral! The location presided a PRIVATE, dignified, Military funeral which involved the US Army Color Guards who fired off a 21-Gun Salute for my deceased Army friend, ample parking provided for all attending the Military Funeral, conveniently located picnic tables for food/libations setup, and more importantly, an easy, short stroll to James Marshall's Monument where the 21-Gun Salute was presided. My friend's family were so grateful to Coloma State Park's Head Park Ranger Supervisor for allowing presiding a Military funeral which was quite a distance from the Coloma State Park's American River parking lot. Reiterating, reserving the James Marshall's Monument location for my friend's family and all who attended my friend's Military Funeral, it was so PRIVATE, awesome, easy, uncomplicated set up due to the picnic tables for the food and libations were conveniently adjacent to the clean restrooms, and overall, a gorgeous, tranquil, serene, appropriate location presiding a somber, dignified, Military funeral. Finally, presiding a Military Funeral at James Marshall's Monument for my friend's family will always be remembered and revered. Best of all, all who attended my friend's Military funeral have ALL returned exploring James Marshall's Monument--again, James Marshall's log cabin, checking the construction updates for both St. John's Catholic Church and Emmanuel Church, Sutter's Mill, gold panning the American River, sent snail mail from the Coloma Post Office, ate at my friend, Noah's Argonaut Cafe, and hiked all the trails, too! BTW: Since I'm 100% Service-Connected Vietnam Veteran possessing a Veteran's Distinguished Park Pass, reserving James Marshall's Monument would be NO FEE for me! FYI: Resource Building For PHYSICALLY Applying For A Veteran's Distinguished Park Pass Resource Building 1416 9th Street Sacramento CA 95814 (916) 657-4380 https://www.mapquest.com/us/california/resources-building-375367030 www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30958​ Contact CA Park Pass Sales Office: (800) 777-0369 ext. 2 Send email: parkpassinfo@parks.ca.gov

Awesome historical stop. This cute 1800s old town brings the California Gold Rush era to life with…read moreover 20 historic mining buildings. You can still see a schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, a cafe, event venue (Gold Trail Grange), museum and a charming little post office that is actually still functional. It's a great spot for all, kids enjoy the fun gold-panning activities, adults interest to learn the Gold Rush history, walking trail, picnic and hanging out by the river. We also walked around the Mt. Murphy Road Bridge, this bridge offers great views of the South Fork American River and the white-water rafting, please watch out for cars, the bridge is narrow! Highly recommend stopping by this place.

I had site #19 and came in on Memorial Day. It's a beautiful campground, but there was no host,…read moreand Sierra City was closed until Wednesday. Good thing I always bring my own firewood and water. I don't know why it's one of Recreation.gov's favorite sites because there are much better sites. There's no few of the creek/river (from a socal point of view it's a river), and there are sites that look right down on you. I had to leave after the first night as my ears couldn't take the sound of the rushing river. It took 2 days for the ringing to stop. I had no idea it would be so loud. It was deafening. Maybe a site not so close would have been better.

Great spot in the Sierras on the Yuba River's north fork. No water, but beautiful location and…read moreright on a large stream. The camp is 1/2 mile off 49, but in an area with all nearby 20 campgrounds all right on the highway. We had site 32, probably the best site. In the back on a corner of the stream. Large space, nice groomed surface, fire pits, benches and food lockers. Trees all around, and so with the stream we felt like we were in the middle of a forest. $35 a night. We got lucky but someone told us it usually is reserved months out on the weekend. They have 8 spots on first come first serve basis with a 14 day limited stay. Get there mid-week and usually you can get one. We were there for a show at the nearby Kentucky Mine. It was a perfect combo. We'll be back.

Went tent camping here during the middle of the week. There were only 4 other campers there out of…read morethe 40 sites available - had a quiet peaceful time enjoying the park. Be sure to follow the written driving directions on the website - google maps will take you on dirt roads. Don't count on using your cell phone - poor or no reception. Bring all of your needs - no stores in the park or near by. The Visitor Center does sell ice and wood. They only take cash. Great Visitor Center - a museum of mining and relics from the town. They have brochures and some souvenirs. North Bloomfield is population 7 now. The park rangers are very helpful - Sue was awesome. Lots of trails to hike. Really liked the Slaughterhouse and Blair trails. We'll maintained campground. Grill / fire pits, Bear Lockers, trash bins. The bathrooms were a pleasant surprise - running water, nice toilets, toilet paper, seat covers, paper towels and soap dispensers. No lights.

Get outside. Start…read moreand end point at the Rim Trailhead. Dogs allowed but on leash. We heard a bear, mountain lion, few wild life at the civil hours. The hike not the most comfortable. Even with bug spray, mosquitoes and other flies swarmed my head and many in my eyes; felt like Pig Pen from the Peanuts. Trail was narrow & overgrown brushes, a ton of over and under fallen trees, steep ledges but shaded. A unique highlight is the historic town you run into if passing through the campsites and the beautiful river. The ride up to the trail, dirt roads and uneven. Would suggest sunshades, our pup hiked 8.5 miles of the 14 we did but brought a dog backpack, bells to make noise, trekking poles. Did once, won't hike again.

Made reservation for campsite 16 for 5/26-5/28. Was a little bummed that the weather was going to…read morebe shoddy (raining the whole time), but I was still stoked to be able to spend a couple nights solo camping. Night one went fine, lots of rain but kept a nice fire in the provided fire pit where I was able to stay warm and mostly dry. However, a Ranger showed up on 5/27 around 2pm and told me there was a fire ban in effect and I needed to extinguish my fire. In the rain. In the provided fire pit. I went to the Mineral Bar website- nothing but instructions to use provided pits. Went to Reserve California- ditto. Decided I couldn't make a mid 40 degree night with no fire in the pouring rain so I quickly packed up and left- but not before being absolutely drenched in the DOWNPOUR. I called Reserve California and she said "there's a ban every year 6/16-10/15" to which I said "great! It's May" Finally googled "fire ban mineral bar campground" when I got home and they posted a ban 5/26 (the day I got there). No notices displayed at campsite. No information given but ruining a camp trip I so desperately needed for my mental health. Will never return, even for day camping. This was a favorite spot before that.

We love it here! Such a lovely spot. We come several times in the summer. Pay for parkingread more

Who can resist driving under a covered bridge ...the entrance to the busy well maintained park…read moreLawns manicured, restrooms clean and opened. Lots of people using the facilities and respectful of others. We had family pictures done on the lawn in front of the schoolhouse. Perfect location and backdrop. Easy to access even with older people. There were birthday parties and a jewelry event going on so the traffic was heavy... plenty of parking and open space so you do not feel crowded. The trail running above the park has walkers,runners and horses on it. No bikes!!!! Trail head well marked and accessible.

I've been to the outdoor amphitheater here twice in two weeks. First we saw Mean Girls the musical…read more It was so nice to sit outside and watch a play. Love love loved it. Excellent price for seats (30$). Tech sound and lighting were all on point. Then I came back last night for a night of worship with Calvary church. It was very nice Friday night service on a cool evening. I didnt enjoy the "vote no on question 6" tent and yard signs and speaker there. I felt like they should leave politics out of religious events, in my opinion. Luckily the speaker was on the break so I headed to the food truck instead.

The campground looks like it is permanently closed. They put huge boulders in the campground…read moreentrance area. The day use parking lot is open. The river is very pretty here, and clean, and there's a big gravel bar. We did not have to pay to park. We went gold panning and found zero gold flakes or nuggets. It was a weekday and there were only 4 cars in the parking lot.

Good place to camp. Reservations must be made online. I wish there were food storage, we had to…read moreleave our food in my car's trunk. We didn't see or hear any bears but someone told us they did see a bear the previous day we were there. Safe pavement road all around the site, unfortunately several cars passed by so it's not the most quiet place but it is pretty nice. It's pretty clean, there's tables, grills, and bathrooms. Lots of areas to walk and discover, several people looking for gold which makes the water not so clean. Also lots of poison oak so be careful!

We rode the chairlift up to the top amazing views. A very…read morefun experience. We had lunch out on the observation deck. Does it get any more beautiful? The tickets are very pricey.

2 of 2 Yelp Reviews…read more We were Heavenly customers before Vail Resorts bought them in March of 2002. Our season pass also applies to Northstar, acquired in October 2010, and Kirkwood, acquired in April 2012. I am very happy with all the acquisitions; I feel I am getting a better value from my season pass. But now that I am a loyal Mt Rose customer, it gets harder and harder to come to the Vail/Epic resorts... Quality/Quantity - My favorite lifts and runs are at Heavenly Ski Resort. And more specifically, at the Stagecoach lift!! Long lift, long run, less people. Too bad the season is over and the NV side is closed. And due to the poor season and lack of snow, we needed to shuttle from the Sky/Canyon lift to the Gondola chairs (Dipper and Comet lifts)?!?! Lastly, the Tamarack lift opened half an hour late, not until 9:30am! Today was my worst day at Heavenly EVER!! Two seasons ago, I broke my vertical record with my daughter!! And on a Sunday! Ambiance - See above. Public paid parking lots. But today, my wife dropped me off and went to the lake house to relax. Well to check on the property. Open 7 days a week from 9am to 4pm. Service - Plenty of employees today, thank you. Price - I have a season pass. But due to the poor season and me being too lazy to drive an hour to ski, I have only used it once. This was one expensive day! I will probably not renew my pass for next season... Sadly. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your successes with your 42 resorts in 3 countries. Look forward to skiing as many of your properties as possible.