Hike down to the Wild & Scenic section of American River
Name of area/general location:
Stevens Trail on BLM land, near Colfax, California.
Land acknowledgment:
This recreation opportunity is located on the unceded territories and homelands of the Nisesan and other likely unrecognized tribal communities. To learn more about the original residents and stewards of the lands, visit: native-land.ca
Trail/river/climb/ etc. rating and why (easy, moderate, hard):
- Moderate to Difficult
Trail/river/ etc. mileage (different options if available):
- Approximately 7.6 miles round trip
Permissible trail uses (dogs, horses, mountain bikes, others):
Hiking trail; river swimming; dogs allowed but only on leash at all times–highly not recommended to join during warm temperatures due to roughness of terrain on their paws
Description of area, sights, wildlife and any key markers on the trail/river/climb etc.
Nestled just outside of the history-rich town of Colfax, California, the Stevens Trail hike will take you down to a Wild & Scenic River (WSR) section of the North Fork American River. The trail and this portion of the WSR are managed by the Bureau of Land Management-Mother Lode Field Office. Before venturing out for this hike, it is important to note that much of the trail is very exposed and not recommended during the high summer temperatures.
Photo: A. Sanchez
Upon arriving at the parking lot for the Stevens Trail, it is highly recommended that before departing the lot for the hike, any visitors use the pit toilet that is available as there are no other facilities along the trail, and most of the terrain along the hike is not conducive to finding privacy for any personal needs. As of this writing (July of 2025), the pit-toilet bathroom was open and maintained, though given the current ongoing cuts to the federal agency, that may unfortunately not remain the case. Per the sign posted by the BLM, “This site remains open but with limited services and amenities”.
Upon starting the hike, you will find several interpretive and general information signs. Some of the interpretive signs include information about the history-rich component of the trail, with one important note being that the Stevens Trail is officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once on the hike, you are likely to encounter several minor creek crossings, though many may be dry or barely a trickle depending on the time of year the trail is being visited. At the time of this writing, there were approximately 8 streambeds (that includes the dry and trickling streams) you may come across, with some of them likely being more challenging during the higher flow periods but should remain passable if the conditions are deemed safe enough (please evaluate the situation carefully for your own safety and comfort level). As you hike along the trail, there are several mile marker signs to help give you information about your progress along the way.
During approximately the first 1.6 miles of the hike, you will find yourself surrounded by many native and non-native plants. This includes California buckeye, fiddlenecks, Himalayan blackberry, yellow star-thistle (the latter two being non-native species). The densest amount of vegetation is within this earlier stretch, with the most apparent transition from the amount of canopy cover overhead occurring after the largest stream crossing. After you cross and pop out from what is the majority of the canopy cover, the North Fork American River should come into the horizon at the bottom of the canyon.
Photo: Stevens Trail, A. Sanchez
You will continue along the trail, keeping the river in your view until you eventually make your way down to be rewarded with the waters of the North Fork American.
Photo: A. Sanchez
How to get there:
From Sacramento, follow the signs for I-80 East towards the town of Colfax and exit at North Canyon Way. Travel along North Canyon Way for about a mile. Go past the Colfax cemetery to the Stevens Trailhead. Parking will be on your left.
More information (AllTrails link, etc.):
BLM-Mother Lode Field Office information
Mailing address: 5152 Hillsdale Circle, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Phone: (916) 941-3101
Photo Credit for Trail Sign: André Sanchez
