California · Hiking · Near Nevada City

Willow Creek

2.0 mi
round trip
191 ft
climb
2,181 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Oct–May
best months

Is Willow Creek 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.

Willow Creek is a 2-mile out-and-back hike in the Yuba River Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is rated easy, with a one-way climb of about 190 feet from a low point of 1,938 feet to a high of 2,181 feet. The route is natural-surfaced and accessible, and bikes are allowed. That makes it a practical choice for a short outing on foot or on a bike. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 76°F and October highs around 78°F, while July and August average about 94°F. Rebel Ridge Trail and Eight Ball are both within a mile. Dark Day campground is about 2 miles away, and Oregon Creek offers canoeing about 5 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Willow Creek

    Campground

    Campground · 1.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Lost Nugget

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Firehouse Number 1 Museum

    Museum

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Nevada City

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Oct–May

    Best time to visit Willow Creek

    Best months: October–May. 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

      57° / 34°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      59° / 35°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      64° / 38°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 40°

      8 wet

    5. May

      76° / 47°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 52°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      94° / 57°

      0 wet

    8. Aug

      94° / 55°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      89° / 51°

      1 wet

    10. Oct

      78° / 44°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      64° / 38°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      56° / 34°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dobbins 1 S, CA, 9.1 mi away at 1,640 ft. The station sits about 500 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.