Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park

Specs
Type:	Parks, camping
Distance:	Local
Area:	Nevada City
Ages:	All Ages, but older children will benefit most
Cost:	$
Information:	www.parks.ca.gov

Malakoff Diggins is one of the parks that was on the list of state closures, but so far it has eluded budget-insipred execution. It's a pretty neat place for a picnic and a look-around, with a number of different attractions that should appeal to older children in particular.

Malakoff Diggins' most prominent feature is the huge canyon-style cliffs that were carved by hydraulic mining techniques. In hydraulic mining, enormous streams of water were used to literally wash away entire mountains.

Hiller Tunnel at Malakoff Diggins

Besides these amazing looking cliffs, there is also a bedrock tunnel that is over a mile long (it was once used as a drain and is still pretty wet in places, so if you plan to go into it make sure to bring waterproof shoes as well as a flashlight).

In the old mining town of North Bloomfield, there are buildings featuring artifacts from the Gold Rush Area and a picnic area. A little further up the road there is an old cemetery.