State Parks Near Grass Valley, California
18 state park units lie within 50 miles of Grass Valley. The closest is Empire Mine State Historic Park, about 1 mi south of town. 4 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Empire Mine State Historic Park1 mi south
- Within 25 miles
- 4of 18 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 7parks list campsites
- Dog-friendly
- 12pets allowed
State parks near Grass Valley, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Grass Valley; driving distance is usually longer.
Empire Mine State Historic Park
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, ranger programs, picnicking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Empire Mine State Historic Park →South Yuba River State Park
Things to do include historic sites, boating, swimming, fishing, and ranger programs. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for South Yuba River State Park →Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, boating, swimming, and fishing. The official site lists about 20 miles of trails. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites, tent sites, and group camping).
Hours, fees and rules for Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park →Auburn State Recreation Area
The park supports off-highway vehicle riding, horseback riding, historic sites, boating, and swimming. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Auburn State Recreation Area →Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Popular activities here are historic sites, boating, fishing, ranger programs, and picnicking. Water access includes a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park →Lake Oroville State Recreation Area
Things to do include snorkeling and diving, surfing, horseback riding, historic sites, and boating. Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Oroville State Recreation Area →Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area
Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area is a 220-acre recreation area in Butte County, about 3 miles west of Oroville.
Hours, fees and rules for Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area →Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are surfing, horseback riding, historic sites, boating, and swimming. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Folsom Lake State Recreation Area →Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park
Things to do include historic sites, fishing, ranger programs, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park →Sutter Buttes State Park
Visitors come for historic sites, ranger programs, wildlife watching, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Sutter Buttes State Park →Plumas-Eureka State Park
Popular activities here are historic sites, boating, fishing, ranger programs, and picnicking. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Plumas-Eureka State Park →Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area
In Sacramento County, about 4 miles northeast of Rancho Cordova, Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area covers about 1,277 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area →Donner Memorial State Park
Visitors come for surfing, historic sites, boating, swimming, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Donner Memorial State Park →Ward Creek Park Property
The park supports wildlife watching, geocaching, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Ward Creek Park Property →Tahoe State Recreation Area
Visitors come for biking and hiking. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Tahoe State Recreation Area →California Indian Heritage Center Park Property
Popular activities here are historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for California Indian Heritage Center Park Property →Burton Creek State Park
Visitors come for hiking. The official site lists about 6 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Burton Creek State Park →Governor's Mansion State Historic Park
Visitors come for historic sites and ranger programs.
Hours, fees and rules for Governor's Mansion State Historic Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Grass Valley
- Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park 13 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Auburn State Recreation Area 21 mi south · Campground listed
- Lake Oroville State Recreation Area 31 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Folsom Lake State Recreation Area 36 mi south · Campground listed
- Plumas-Eureka State Park 42 mi northeast · Campground listed
+ 2 more in the list above
Dog-friendly state parks near Grass Valley
- Empire Mine State Historic Park 1 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
- Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park 13 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Auburn State Recreation Area 21 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
- Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park 30 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
- Lake Oroville State Recreation Area 31 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 7 more in the list above
Swimming near Grass Valley
- South Yuba River State Park 9 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park 13 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Auburn State Recreation Area 21 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park 30 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lake Oroville State Recreation Area 31 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 2 more in the list above
Hiking near Grass Valley
- Empire Mine State Historic Park 1 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- South Yuba River State Park 9 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park 13 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Auburn State Recreation Area 21 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park 30 mi south · Hiking trails listed
+ 8 more in the list above
Fishing near Grass Valley
- South Yuba River State Park 9 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park 13 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Auburn State Recreation Area 21 mi south · Fishing listed
- Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park 30 mi south · Fishing listed
- Lake Oroville State Recreation Area 31 mi northwest · Fishing listed
+ 4 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Grass Valley
What is the closest state park to Grass Valley?
Empire Mine State Historic Park is the closest, about 1 miles south of Grass Valley in a straight line. Next are South Yuba River State Park and Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park.
How many state parks are near Grass Valley?
18 state park units are within 50 miles, and 4 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Grass Valley have camping?
7 parks list camping, the nearest being Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Auburn State Recreation Area and Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Grass Valley?
Yes, at 12 parks, including Empire Mine State Historic Park, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park and Auburn State Recreation Area. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Grass Valley?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Yuba City, CA32 mi west
- Near Folsom, CA39 mi south
- Near Sacramento, CA50 mi southwest
- Near Chico, CA55 mi northwest
- Near South Lake Tahoe, CA61 mi east
- Near Galt, CA67 mi south
- Near Reno, NV68 mi east
- Near Carson, NV70 mi east
Or see all California state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.