Mountain Biking

The Tahoe National Forest is a mountain biking paradise. Many of the Forest's best mountain biking routes are on roads and trails that are rough and un-maintained. Always wear your helmet and gloves, and for safety, ride with a buddy. Carry basic tools—wrenches, screwdriver, chain breaker, pump, patch kit and spare tube.

Bikes are not permitted within any designated wilderness area or on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Select this link for information on e-bike use.

Mountain Biking Areas

Bowman Road
The recreation information for the Tahoe National Forest is primarily provided by travel corridor. The main travel corridors are: Interstate 80, Highway 49, Highway 20, Highway 89 (North and South), Foresthill Divide Road, Mosquito Ridge Road, Bowman Road, Marysville Road, and Gold Lakes Road.

Bowman Road
The Bowman Road begins at Hwy 20 and travels north through a highly granitic and scenic area to Bowman Reservoir. It provides access to many popular reservoirs used by fishermen and boating enthusiasts, a variety of rustic campgrounds and many non-motoirzed trails within the Grouse Lakes Vehicle Closure area.

From January 1 through March 31 of each year, the road is closed to wheeled traffic per Tahoe NF Motor Vehicle Use Maps.

The unpaved portion of this road is very rocky and rough; 4x4 clearance is strongly recommended.

Activities such as camping and hiking are listed below for this corridor.
Canyon Creek Campground
Carr Lake Campground
Grouse Ridge Campground
Jackson Creek Campground
Lindsey Lake Campground
Foresthill Divide Road
The recreation information for the Tahoe National Forest is primarily provided by travel corridor. The main travel corridors are: Interstate 80, Highway 49, Highway 20, Highway 89 (North and South), Foresthill Divide Road, Mosquito Ridge Road, Bowman Road, Marysville Road, and Gold Lakes Road.

The Gate at China Wall is open

Foresthill Divide Road
The Foresthill Divide Road extends from the town of Foresthill east to Robinson Flat Campground and then veers to the north and intersects old Highway 40 near Soda Springs. Much of the north eastern part of this corridor is not paved. Campgrounds, picnic sites, reservoirs, OHV trails, and access trails into the North Fork American Wild and Scenic River are available along the Foresthill Divide Road.

Activities such as camping and hiking are listed below for this corridor.
American River Trail
Euchre Bar Trail and Trailhead
Green Valley Trail
Joshua M. Hardt Memorial Trail at Sugar Pine
Mumford Bar Trail
Robinson Flat Campground
Highway 20
HISTORY:   Highway 20 between Bear Valley and Nevada City largely follows the trace of the 1850 cutoff of the Emigrant Trail. Although it later became a toll road, and later a public turnpike, it was still referred to as the Old Emigrant Road. You can see signs of this road on either side of Highway 20 as it winds along Washington Ridge. Pioneer Trail sections follow the trace of the old Emigrant road. There are many historic sites along the way.

Lone Grave is the burial site of two-year old Julius Apperson who died in 1858. The Apperson’s were some of the first settlers along the Old Emigrant Road. In 1859, the family left the area, leaving the grave unmarked. A Nevada City resident erected a permanent marker and fence in 1863. Since then, volunteers have cared for the grave as a memorial to the many pioneers who lie buried in solitary, unmarked graves.

Central House is an old white house on Missouri Bar Road near Highway 20. Now a private residence, it was once a stagecoach stop.

White Cloud was named for the clouds of dust kicked up by wagon teams during the dry season. In 1890 Deer Creek Sawmill was constructed here. In 1895 it was one of the largest mills on the west coast.

Skillman Flat is the site of a lumber mill that burned down in 1858. The trail here follows the Ridge Ditch, constructed in 1857-58. It is one of many ditches built by the South Yuba Canal Company to carry water to Nevada County gold mines.

Omega Overlook. From the overlook one can see the Alpha and Omega Diggins, one of the largest hydraulic mine operations in the Sierra. Yuba River water was diverted to the Omega Ditch and into wood flumes hung from granite cliffs above the Yuba River.

Fifty yards beyond the historic marker you’ll find the trace of the Old Emigrant Road. The Pioneer Trail follows it to the Diamond Creek Road, one and one half miles east.

Bear Valley was a welcome site to emigrants in the 1850s. After crossing Donner Pass and the steep granite slopes, this flat, grass covered valley must have looked like heaven.

Lang Crossing has been used as a river crossing since the 1850s. The 1867 General Land Office plat shows the Culbertson's House immediately southeast of the crossing.

Spaulding Powerhouse #3 was completed in 1929.    Lake Spaulding’s dams were under construction from 1907 to 1912. Powerhouse #1 was completed in 1917 and Powerhouse #2 in 1920.

For More Information: Tahoe National Forest

Yuba River Ranger District - South

631 Coyote Street

Nevada City, CA 95959

530-265-4531 (voice)

530-478-6118 (TDD)

www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/
Missouri Bar Trail
Pioneer Trail
Ridge Trail
South Yuba Ridge Trail
South Yuba Trail
White Cloud Campground
Highway 49
The recreation information for the Tahoe National Forest is primarily provided by travel corridor. The main travel corridors are: Interstate 80, Highway 49, Highway 20, Highway 89 (North and South), Foresthill Divide Road, Mosquito Ridge Road, Bowman Road, Marysville Road, and Gold Lakes Road.

Highway 49
Highway 49 travels through the Gold Country passing the Tahoe National Forest Headquarters in Nevada City. It travels north through Yuba County and then turns east and follows the North Yuba River through Sierra County. Many trail heads, campgrounds, river access points, resorts, and quaint gold rush towns are found along the length of Highway 49.

Activities such as camping and hiking are listed below for this corridor
North Yuba Trail
Plum Valley Ditch Trail
Sandusky Trail
Slug Canyon Trail
Truckee Ditch Trail
Highway 89, North
The recreation information for the Tahoe National Forest is primarily provided by travel corridor. The main travel corridors are: Interstate 80, Highway 49, Highway 20, Highway 89 (North and South), Foresthill Divide Road, Mosquito Ridge Road, Bowman Road, Marysville Road, and Gold Lakes Road.

Highway 89
Highway 89 starts its journey through the Tahoe National Forest near Tahoe Cityon Lake Tahoe and travels north through Truckee and Sierraville onto the Plumas National Forest. A host of campgrounds, winter and summer trail heads, ski resorts, reservoirs, a motorcycle area, and picnic sites are available. Highway 89 South starts at the Lake and follows the Truckee River to Truckee passing many ski resorts and access trails into the Granite Chief Wilderness. Highway 89 north starts in Truckee and proceeds north.

Activities such as camping and hiking are listed below for this corridor.
Badenaugh Canyon Trail
Bear Valley Campground
COET Prosser Trailhead
COET Stampede Trailhead
East Meadow Campground
Kyburz Flat Interpretive Site
Lakeside Campground
Little Truckee Summit OHV/Snowmobile Staging Area
Lower Little Truckee Campground
Loyalton/Boca Railroad Trail
Mt. Lola Trail
Overland Emigrant Commemorative Trail
Pass Creek Campground
Prosser Family Campground
Prosser Ranch Group Campground
Sagehen Creek Campground
Upper Little Truckee Campground
Highway 89, South
The recreation information for the Tahoe National Forest is primarily provided by travel corridor. The main travel corridors are: Interstate 80, Highway 49, Highway 20, Highway 89 (North and South), Foresthill Divide Road, Mosquito Ridge Road, Bowman Road, Marysville Road, and Gold Lakes Road.

Highway 89
Highway 89 starts its journey through the Tahoe National Forest near Tahoe City on Lake Tahoe and travels north through Truckee and Sierraville Ranger Districts into the Plumas National Forest. A host of campgrounds, winter and summer trail heads, ski resorts, reservoirs, a motorcycle area, and picnic sites are available. Highway 89 South follows the Truckee River and accesses trails into the Granite Chief Wilderness. Also included in this corridor section are trails located in the Barker Pass and Rubicon areas which are accessed from Lake Tahoe.

Activities such as camping, mountain biking, off road vehicle riding and hiking are listed below for this corridor.
Ellis Peak Motorcycle Trail
Interstate 80
The recreation information for the Tahoe National Forest is primarily provided by travel corridor. The main travel corridors are: Interstate 80, Highway 49, Highway 20, Highway 89 (North and South), Foresthill Divide Road, Mosquito Ridge Road, Bowman Road, Marysville Road, and Gold Lakes Road.

Interstate 80
Interstate 80 bisects the forest and is one of the primary corridors to access recreation sites. I-80 enters the Forest east of Auburn and leaves the Forest east of Truckee. Many campgrounds, trail heads, or other recreation sites are located along the Interstate.

Activities such as camping and hiking are listed below for this corridor.
Emigrant Group Campground
Logger Campground
North Fork Campground
Onion Valley Campground
Marysville Road
The recreation information for the Tahoe National Forest is primarily provided by travel corridor. The main travel corridors are: Interstate 80, Highway 49, Highway 20, Highway 89 (North and South), Foresthill Divide Road, Mosquito Ridge Road, Bowman Road, Marysville Road, and Gold Lakes Road.

Marysville Road
The Marysville Road leaves Hwy 49 and travels west providing access to Bullards Bar Reservoir with its many campgrounds, picnic sites, boat ramps, and trails.

Activities such as camping and hiking are listed below for this corridor.
Bullards Trail
Eight Ball Trail
Rebel Ridge Trail
Seven Ball Trail
Mosquito Ridge Road
The recreation information for the Tahoe National Forest is primarily provided by travel corridor. The main travel corridors are: Interstate 80, Highway 49, Highway 20, Highway 89 (North and South), Foresthill Divide Road, Mosquito Ridge Road, Bowman Road, Marysville Road, and Gold Lakes Road.

Mosquito Ridge Road
Mosquito Ridge Road heads east from the town of Foresthill to French Meadows Reservoir. It is a twisty, curvy mountain road and provides access to the Middle Fork American River as well as the Big Trees, the most northerly grove of Giant Sequoias, and the recreation facilities at French Meadows Reservoir. It also provides access to the Granite Chief Wilderness.

Activities such as camping and hiking are listed below for this corridor
North Fork of the Middle Fork American River Trail

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Select an Activity

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/tahoe/recreation/bicycling/?recid=55444&actid=24