Bullpen Lake
Campground
Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
California · Hiking · Near Nevada City
Bullpen
- 3.4 mi
- round trip
- 415 ft
- climb
- 6,423 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Apr–Oct
- best months
Is Bullpen 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.
Bullpen is a moderate hike of about 3.4 miles in the Yuba River Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The nearest town is Marsh Mill, about 4 miles away. The trail is an out-and-back with a one-way climb of about 415 feet, from a low point of roughly 6,000 feet to a high of about 6,400 feet. It is a natural-surface route, and both horses and bikes are allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Bowman Dam weather station, which sits about 1,000 feet lower, show July highs around 82°F with lows near 54°F. Winter is cold, with January highs around 46°F and lows near 30°F. Bowman Mountain is less than a mile away, and the Crooked Lake Trail (horse trail) is about 0.9 miles off. Lindsey Lake campground is about a mile away, and Carr Lake campground is about 1.7 miles away.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after The Rustic Table
Restaurant
On your way back · 8 mi · Open after 6If it rains Firehouse Number 1 Museum
Museum
In town
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in Nevada CityLocal outfitters
- Alpenglow Expeditions26 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Apr–Oct
Best time to visit Bullpen
Best months: April–October. 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.
Jan
46° / 29°
Feb
47° / 28°
Mar
49° / 30°
Apr
55° / 33°
May
64° / 40°
Jun
73° / 47°
Jul
82° / 54°
Aug
81° / 54°
Sep
77° / 51°
Oct
66° / 42°
Nov
54° / 34°
Dec
45° / 29°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bowman Dam, CA, 2.5 mi away at 5,385 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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