The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Euchre Bar Trailhead and trail is located within the Tahoe National Forest in California. Euchre Bar Trail is known for being a highly difficult hiking trail that has some of the best views of the North Fork of the American River. The trail has two sections, one that follows along the edge of the American River and one that follows Old Dorer Ranch Road. A highlight of the trail is a footbridge over the river that leads trail users to Iron Point at the top of a steep mountain climb.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) owns and manages the Euchre Bar Trailhead and ensures that the trail remains safe and clean for visitors and wildlife. Aside from hiking and biking the trail, when you visit the Euchre Bar Trailhead, you can also fish, swim, picnic, and camp in the California wilderness.
The Euchre Bar Trail follows along the banks of the American River for 5.3 miles before climbing up to the Iron Point Trailhead.
Length: 5.3 miles
Intensity: Difficult
The Sugar Pine Reservoir Trail is a loop trail that includes plenty of benches along its route. The path also circles the Sugar Pine Reservoir within the Tahoe National Forest.
Length: 4 miles
Intensity: Easy
Once the path that connected Iowa City with Colfax, Stevens Trail is a challenging hiking trail that now includes interpretive signs and artifacts about local gold rush history. This trail also follows along the American River.
Length: 7.7 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Fishing, boating, and swimming in the American River by the Euchre Bar Trailhead are popular activities. Anglers can take advantage of the Wild Trout River designation of the North Fork at this location, and rainbow trout with lengths between eight to 15 inches are the most commonly caught. Brown trout are also sometimes found between nine and 12 inches in the area. Fishing is permitted in this river year-round, but April to November is the peak fishing season. Anyone who wishes to fish in the American River should obtain a valid fishing license from the state of California before heading out on a trip.
Boating in the North Fork of the American River is also popular because the North Fork is classified as a US Wild and Scenic River. This river has a mix of slow and quick rapids, giving boaters and floaters a unique experience. Motorized boating in the river is allowed, but motorized boats may have trouble reaching the river from Euchre Bar Trailhead without a high-clearance vehicle. Canoeing and kayaking, especially for anglers, are more common from the trailhead. Swimmers may also like using the section of the river right near the trailhead since it is generally shallow and slow-moving.
The Wildlife of Tahoe National Forest can be seen on the Euchre Bar Trail easily, and the wildlife includes species like black bears, mountain lions, mule deer, raccoons, western gray squirrels, striped skunks, coyotes, Sierra Nevada red foxes, American beavers, porcupines, mountain cottontail rabbits, whitetail jackrabbits, harvest mice, deer mice, voles, pikas, and yellow-bellied marmots. Vegetation you may see along the trail includes mountain chaparral, mixed conifers, red firs, and eastside sage pines.
While there are no picnic tables or benches set up at the Euchre Bar Trailhead, picnicking is still allowed. Consider bringing a towel, blanket, or folding chair to sit on during your picnic, and have bags and containers on hand for leftover food and trash. There are usually no trash bins at the trailhead for you to use, so be sure to dispose of your trash properly after you leave the area.
If you are looking for BLM camping but don't want to deal with a primitive experience, try staying at a non-BLM-owned campground near Euchre Bar Trailhead. You can go RV camping at a place like Dutch Flat RV Resort to get hookups and access to a pool, or you can check out Greenhorn Campground with hookups and access to Rollins Lake.
If you don't mind primitive camping, consider parking your RV near the Euchre Bar Trailhead, which is a dispersed Bureau of Land Management campgrounds. Though there are no marked campsites here, you are permitted to pick your own spot at least 100 feet from the American River to camp for up to 14 days at a time. This is a Bureau of Land Management free camping option, too, although it includes no water or electric hookups.
If you are planning on hiking Euchre Bar Trail, be sure to bring plenty of drinking water and sunscreen since the trail is not fully shaded. If you are camping near the Euchre Bar Trailhead, be sure to pack everything you need for an overnight stay, including blankets and bug repellent. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
All visitors to the Euchre Bar Trailhead are asked by the BLM to follow the Leave No Trace guidelines. These guidelines include tasks like picking up after yourself, being considerate of the wildlife and other visitors, and burying human and pet waste properly. By following these simple rules, visitors can help the BLM's efforts of keeping the Euchre Bar Trailhead and trail clean and safe for future generations.
To reach Euchre Bar Trailhead, you have two access options. The first option, for high clearance vehicles, begins on I-80 to the Forestville exit. From there, take Forestville Road for 27.5 miles onto Elliot Ranch Road, then turn left. Continue for 2.5 miles, and the trailhead will be on the direct right.
For low clearance vehicles, take I-80 to the Alta exit. From there, take Casa Loma Road until you cross a railroad track, then bear left. The dirt road will begin to climb a hill, and then you will find a restroom and parking area to access Iron Point, the end of the Euchre Trail.
Address: Casa Loma Rd, Alta, CA 95701
Ready to visit Euchre Bar Trailhead? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
