Plumas-Eureka State Park
🏆 Official Guide: Plumas-Eureka State Park — A Gold Rush heritage park near Blairsden in Plumas County, California, featuring a gold mining museum, the towering Mohawk Stamp Mill (75 ft), preserved 1850s mining village, the birthplace of Western competitive skiing, 60 campsites, and excellent hiking to alpine lakes including Eureka Lake and connections to the Lakes Basin Recreation Area.
Plumas-Eureka State Park preserves the remarkable history of the Plumas-Eureka Mine — one of the most productive hard-rock gold mines in the northern Sierra Nevada — alongside the surprising story of competitive skiing in America. Miners in the 1860s raced on 12-foot wooden “longboards” down the slopes of Eureka Peak at speeds up to 90 mph, making this area the birthplace of organized Western skiing.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | 5 mi W of Blairsden, Plumas County, CA |
| Museum | Historic miner’s bunkhouse — Gold Rush artifacts |
| Campsites | 60 sites — late May to early Oct |
| Events | Gold Discovery Days — July annually |
| Ski History | 1860s longboard races — first Western ski competitions |
Historic Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mohawk Stamp Mill | 75-ft structure — processed gold ore |
| Mining Museum | Artifacts, photos, Gold Rush history |
| Moriarity House | Historic miner’s residence |
| Blacksmith Shop | Living history demonstrations (summer) |
| Mine Office + Stables | Preserved 1850s buildings |
| Longboard Ski History | 1860s — miners’ 12-ft longboard races (80–90 mph!) |
Trails
| Trail | Details |
|---|---|
| Madora Lake Loop | 1.7 mi — easy, scenic forest + meadow |
| Eureka Lake Trail | Moderate — alpine lake views |
| Jamison Mine Trail | 6.2 mi — historic, connects to Lakes Basin Rec Area |
| Museum Trail | 1.2 mi — family-friendly, old flume + wetlands |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this really the birthplace of skiing in the West?
Yes — in the 1860s, gold miners at Plumas-Eureka organized some of the earliest recorded competitive ski races in the Western Hemisphere. Miners raced on 12-foot wooden “longboards” down the slopes of Eureka Peak, reaching estimated speeds of 80–90 mph. The mining ore tramway may also have served as one of the world’s first ski lifts.
When is the campground open?
The Upper Jamison Creek Campground (60 sites) typically opens late May and closes in early October. Sites accommodate tents, trailers, and small RVs up to 24–28 feet depending on the site.
Park Location
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