California · Hiking · Near Nevada City

American Eagle

1.6 mi
round trip
183 ft
climb
2,212 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jan–Jun, Oct–Nov
best months

Is American Eagle open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Tahoe National Forest.

  • Camping and Campfire Restrictions-Truckee and Sierraville Districts

    Agency alert covering Tahoe National Forest · Order 17-25-05 · USFS · Tahoe National Forest

As of · Source: USFS · Tahoe National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

American Eagle is a short, easy out-and-back hike in California's Tahoe National Forest, within the American River Ranger District and along the North Fork American, California Wild and Scenic River. The trail is 1.6 miles long, with a low point of 2,048 feet and a high of 2,212 feet, and it gains about 180 feet of elevation. The Forest Service manages the land. The route is natural-surfaced and allows bikes, so it works for hikers and riders alike. It stays open year-round, and the most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from late spring into early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Colfax show May highs around 74°F and October highs around 75°F, with only a few wet days in each month. July and August are the hottest, with highs in the low 90s. Nearby, Euchre Bar and Italian Bar are both hikes about 2.5 miles away. Foresthill Divide Road offers lake fishing at about 3.3 miles, and Shirttail Campground sits roughly 4 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Elliot Ranch

    Campground

    Campground · 1.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Dutch Flat Trading Post

    Pub

    On your way back · 6 mi
  • If it rains

    Golden Drift Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 6 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Nevada City

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jan–Jun, Oct–Nov

    Best time to visit American Eagle

    Best months: January–June and October–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      55° / 37°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      57° / 37°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      60° / 40°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      66° / 43°

      8 wet

    5. May

      74° / 49°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 56°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      92° / 63°

      0 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 61°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      86° / 57°

      1 wet

    10. Oct

      75° / 49°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 41°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      54° / 36°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Colfax, CA, 13.3 mi away at 2,380 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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