Auburn State Recreation Area, Natural reserve in Auburn, California, US
Description
Auburn State Recreation Area is a nature reserve spanning the North and Middle Forks of the American River for about 40 miles. The land contains river valleys, hills, forests, and open areas with trails of varying difficulty.
History
The area saw major gold mining activity along the American River during the 1800s, when fortune seekers worked the riverbed and banks. Old mining sites, dams, and related structures from that era remain visible throughout the land today.
Culture
The name Auburn comes from a town in New England, reflecting early American settlement patterns in the region. Today, the landscape shows how local communities value outdoor recreation and river-based activities.
Practical
The reserve is accessible from Auburn via Highway 49 and Auburn-Foresthill Road, with multiple entry points along both routes. Plan your visit to end before sunset, as the area closes at that time.
Did you know?
Lake Clementine within the reserve has designated zones for water skiing and boating activities that many visitors seek out. Mammoth Bar serves as a separate location for off-road vehicle use, drawing a different crowd of outdoor enthusiasts.
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Foresthill Bridge
18 km
Empire Mine State Historic Park
30.1 km
Auburn Dam
21.8 km
Lake Clementine
15.1 km
Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony
23.6 km
Sugar Pine Reservoir
17.7 km
Pine Hill Ecological Reserve
31.7 km
Home of Lola Montez
32.4 km
North Star House
31.1 km
John Pearson Soda Works
28.4 km
Griffith Quarry
31.2 km
Mount Saint Mary's Convent and Academy
32.3 km
Fountain-Tallman Soda Works
28.3 km
Grass Valley Public Library
32.3 km
Mountain Quarries Bridge
18.5 km
Bernhard Museum Complex
22.3 km
Combellack-Blair House
28.5 km
Church of Our Saviour
28.1 km
Confidence Hall
28.2 km
Auburn Public Library
21.6 km
Eddy Arboretum
28.2 km
Auburn Masonic Temple
21.6 km
Oddfellows Hall
21.9 km
Northstar Mining Museum
31.9 km
Griffith Quarry Park & Museum
31.2 km
Sutter's Mill Site
20.1 km
Grass Valley Library-Royce Branch
32.4 km
Placer County Courthouse
22.1 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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