Kid-Friendly
Kid-friendly activities in Nevada City & Grass Valley, Empire Mine, Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, arts, events, festivals, County Fair, ice cream, swimming holes.
START HERE
- Visit Empire Mine State Historic Park
- Check out the Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
- Go for a hike along the Independence Trail, Buttermilk Bend or South Yuba Trail
- Visit Treats in Nevada City and try an exotic flavor of ice cream
- Visit the Pioneer Park swimming pool and playground
- Visit The Artist Workshop and make a homemade gift
- Visit 49er Fun Park and play mini golf, go karts, batting cages or the arcades.
- Summer Movies at the Del Oro for kids or the family friendly outdoor screening of Outdoor Family Films organized by the Nevada City Film Festival.
- Check out the Points of Historical Interest walking tour map of Nevada City or the tree tour
- Food Love Project U Picks veggies or Riverhill Farm UPick berries
- Check out the local library reading programs and activities
- Go geo-caching
CLIMB ON GINORMOUS ROCKS AND SWIM AT THE YUBA RIVER
Water Activities
- Paddle Boarding on Scotts Flat Lake
- A few great South Yuba River swimming holes: Mountain Dog Swimming Hole, Edwards Crossing, Purdons Crossing, Hoyt’s Crossing, Mothers Beach, 49 Crossing. The most accessible for small children is definitely Bridgeport.
- Kayaking on Lower Scotts Flat Lake
- Pioneer Park Pool or Memorial Park Pool
- Go for a swim in one of the local lakes
- Go white water rafting with H20 Adventures
ENJOY MOVIE NIGHT AT THE CAMPGROUND
Friday and Saturday Evenings, Weather Permitting.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Great kid friendly hikes include: Independence Trail, Buttermilk Bend, Hoot Trail and Deer Creek Tribute Trail. Or Take the kids for a mountain bike ride at Hirschman Pond.
Jason Auld, owner of Mountain Recreation, loves taking his 3 kids outdoors during the summer season. “There are great flat water kayaking and SUP as a fun family friendly activity. Short distance backpacking is a great way to get kids outside and blow their minds with nature. Just need to focus on keeping it achievable, fun and interesting. Often you don’t need to hike in more than a mile or two to really feel like your way out there. The less taxing and grueling it is the more the kids will enjoy it.” Click here for information about their rental programs if you want to rent a SUP or kayak.
Other Outdoor Activities
