State Historic Site · California

Empire Mine State Historic Park

Location: Nevada County, California
Nearest town: 1.4 miles southeast of Grass Valley
Type: State Historic Site

About Empire Mine State Historic Park

Underground passages stretching 367 miles once yielded 5.8 million ounces of gold from this Sierra Nevada mine, worked continuously from 1850 until it closed in 1956. The site sits within the Grass Valley Mining District and holds recognition as a National Register property, a federal Historic District, and a California Historical Landmark. California State Parks has managed the grounds as a historic site since 1975.

Hours, fees, camping, reservations and closures are set by the park and change often. Check the official park site before you go.

Getting there

Empire Mine State Historic Park is in Nevada County, California, 1.4 miles southeast of Grass Valley. The Directions button takes you to the park's mapped location; the entrance may be elsewhere, so check the official site for the address to use.

State parks near Empire Mine State Historic Park

Within 60 miles, closest first, straight-line. All 213 in California →

Towns near Empire Mine State Historic Park

State parks near Grass Valley, State parks near Auburn, State parks near Yuba City, State parks near Roseville, State parks near Oroville, State parks near Cameron Park

Facts from Wikidata, checked September 25, 2026. Distances are straight-line.