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> Recreational Activities

Recreational Activities

Whatever your age, stamina or interest, when it comes to active recreation, Grass Valley and Nevada County has something for everyone!  With four brilliantly colorful seasons, the show at our door step is continually changing.

Hiking, biking and horseback riding

Want to explore the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada?  Our forested mountains offer extensive scenic trails for hiking, biking, horse back riding, and all-terrain-vehicles.  Follow cascading rivers through national forests, old flumes into historic mining sites, or the original immigrant trail to California.  You can even try your luck panning for gold along with the old 
timers! Planning a backcountry expedition?  Highland Llama Trekkers and 
other purveyors can provide llamas for wilderness pack trips.    Check our Member Guide for other recreation.

South Yuba River, lakes and boating

The federally designated “Wild and Scenic” South Yuba River has four dozen state and national historical sites, including the Bridgeport Covered Bridge and others listed in the National Register of Historical Places. It also features the 2,200-acre South Yuba River State Park and the Independence Trail which is the longest wheelchair-accessible wilderness trail in the country.

Prefer boating and water sports?  The Yuba and other local rivers offer
world-class kayaking and rafting.  Natural lakes and reservoirs are
favorites for boating, sailing, swimming, water skiing, and camping.

Golf   ~   Check our Member Guide for local golf courses

Prefer the sculpted greens of a golf course?  The Alta Sierra Country Club, Nevada County Country Club, Darkhorse Golf Course, Lake of the Pines Golf Course, and Quail Valley Golf Course provide for excellent golfing.  The Chamber has published a brochure of local golf courses for your 
reference. 

Frisbee, skateboarding, swimming and more!

If you are a Frisbee buff, both Grass Valley and Penn Valley have courses 
for disc golf.

For the truly active young person, check out Grass Valley’s skateboard park 
at Condon Park!  Swimming is available at pools in both Grass Valley’s
Memorial Park and Nevada City’s Pioneer Park.  

Winter sports:  Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, tobaggons

Winter brings a wonderland of snow.  Less than an hour’s drive from Grass Valley and Nevada City, you will find world class runs for Nordic skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing.  Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe basin ski grounds are an easy commute.

Fitness Centers    Check our Member Guide for local fitness centers

For those who prefer staying in shape through an indoor fitness center, South Yuba Club, Curves for Women, and the Courthouse Athletic Club, are among the health clubs in the area. 

For more specifics, peruse the Membership Directory by category or by business name.