Eldorado National Forest - California

Escape to a mecca of natural serenity with an abundance of fishing and hiking trails, to enjoy a rugged outdoor adventure at Eldorado National Forest.

Visitors to Eldorado National Forest can still pan for gold, which was discovered on the American River here in the mid 1800s and triggered the California Gold Rush. But the true treasure of Eldorado National Forest is the abundant trout in the 620 miles of rivers and streams. The forest also contains 12 reservoirs, including the Hell Hole, where kokanee salmon and mackinaw are a sure thing during the spring and fall. If visiting in the winter, try cross-country skiing in Loon Lake Winter Recreation Area or take advantage of the backcountry ski trails. If you prefer hiking, try the most southern part of the Eldorado National forest, the 105,165 acre Mokelumne Wilderness, which is filled with volcanic ridges and peaks and is home to the rugged Mokelumne River Canyon.

One of the most popular and heavily used spots in the Eldorado National Forest is Desolation Wilderness, where there are no buildings or roads, just chaparral, conifer, fir and subalpine trees.

Remember: Eldorado National Forest is restricted to hikers, horses and llamas, so once you get there, be prepared to get rugged! The forest is less than an hour's drive from Sacramento and the San Joaquin Valley.