Discover Johnsville

Johnsville is a well-preserved “49er” town. This historic character is a point of interest for travelers interested in Gold Rush history. One specific site in Johnsville is the historic St. John's Church. Plumas-Eureka State Park offers its own highlights, including a historic mining area, museum, trails, and seasonal activities.

History in Johnsville

A dedicated group of volunteers organized to save St. John's Church and renovated it. This building thus brings together local history and the volunteers’ efforts to preserve it.

Mining History at Plumas-Eureka State Park

The park museum is located in a former miners’ residence and now serves as a visitor center. The exhibits cover the heritage of the Mountain Maidu, Gold Rush history, and early skiing. The park lies within the traditional homeland of the Yamaní, or Mountain Maidu. The exhibits therefore bring together Indigenous cultural history, the Gold Rush, and early skiing history.

The historic mining area includes the Mohawk Stamp Mill. The Moriarty House is a historic miner’s residence. In summer, docents and park staff lead tours of the historic buildings.

Trails and Scenery

Plumas-Eureka State Park lies at the foot of Eureka Peak, which is 7,447 feet high. Jamison Creek flows through the park. The trails vary in length, difficulty, and route: the Madora Lake Trail is an easy, 1.60-mile, ADA-accessible loop. The Eureka Peak Loop Trail is moderate to strenuous and has significant elevation changes. This offers a contrast between a route rated easy and a more challenging route with significant elevation changes.

The 1.2-mile Museum Trail leads from the park museum to the Upper Jamison Creek Campground. It crosses an old flume and a raised boardwalk through a wetland. The Jamison Mine Trail starts in the park and follows Jamison Creek uphill to high-elevation mountain lakes and additional trails in the Lakes Basin. The route options thus differ in scenery and destination: wetlands and a boardwalk versus a climb to mountain lakes and additional trails in the Lakes Basin.

Summer and Winter Activities

Kayaking and canoeing are possible at Eureka Lake, where swimming is also available in summer. Seasonal activities also include snow-based pursuits. The Plumas Eureka State Park Association maintains cross-country ski trails in Johnsville; grooming and conditions vary by season.

The Nordic route at Ski Hill leads to Eureka Lake. Its winter availability depends on snow and grooming. A backcountry skiing route to the false summit of Eureka Peak starts at the Ski Hill parking lot. Conditions and route safety vary by season. The Historic Longboard Revival Races take place every winter on the third Sunday in January, February, and March at the Historic Johnsville Ski Bowl.

Discover more destinations: Graeagle, Portola, Cromberg, Plumas Eureka, Lake Almanor Peninsula, Belden, Quincy, Chester.

For the main travel overview: Plumas.