Buttermilk Bend Trail is a 2.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Penn Valley, California that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Mostly flat with side trails down to the river. There is a $10 day use fee for this park.
Plenty of parking if you arrive early, but it was filled up when we left.
From Highway 49, take CA 20 West towards Marysville, right on Pleasant Valley Rd. The address for the visitor's center is 17660 Pleasant Valley Rd., Penn Valley, CA
January 19, 2021Easy, little tight when you run into people. I definitely want to go back when the flowers are in bloom.
January 9, 2021
December 16, 2020December 13, 2020Perfect short trail to take a 5 month old pup.
November 25, 2020Great views of the river. Easy out and back.
November 7, 2020Hiked this location again this past weekend. It was nice & relaxing. Went down to the river and sat on some rocks for a bit, enjoying the rushing water. Got to that abrupt end again and turned around. It was good this time as the person I was hiking with wasn't that experienced. This is a nice mellow hike that can easily be done at a brisk pace.
October 24, 2020It’s been a while since I’ve been...can anyone tell me if I can bring a jogging stroller?
September 28, 2020September 25, 2020September 25, 202009/25/20: parking area and trail are open.
September 7, 2020super pretty but ppl need to pick up there trash
August 10, 2020Just the perfect trail we needed to get away from heat n people during covid.
July 26, 2020The Alltrails app directions took me on Mooney Flat Road which is very narrow and winding. Use Pleasant Valley Road. Much nicer drive. This place was PACKED with people. I arrived at 10 am hoping to avoid the hoards but no such luck. I parked in the lot and paid the $10 fee. There are "No parking" signs on the main road but people were still parking there and walking to the river. Watch out for this. The trail is mostly sun with very little shade and quite narrow. Difficult for people to pass. Drop off on one side to the river and steep uphill on the other. Watch your children. When I left the CHP and rangers were ticketing the cars parked on the road. I also saw a tow truck headed to the site but not sure if any vehicles were actually towed. I'll try to go back another time during off season to walk and take photos.
July 26, 2020Great trail and capped off with fun in the river for the whole family! Huge crowd at the start of the trail near the parking lot. Follow the trail- the further you go before going to the river, the less people and more fun you will find! Great for our 4yo, 9yo and 35 lbs dog.
July 19, 2020The first part of the trail was pretty crowded due to a lot of people going down to the river, but once you get past all of the access points it’s pretty secluded. It was a nice easy hike, also access to the water at the end of the trail and there was no people in that part of the river. Fun for me and the pup!
July 14, 2020Great hike even with kids. Pretty narrow near the end but a few different spots to go down to the river along the way. Prob not good for unsteady walkers. Be aware of poison oak along the path.
June 13, 2020Fun place to take the family swimming
June 9, 2020My three kids (ages 10, 6 and 8 months) and I did this one today, I wore the baby in the carrier and the kids toted their own water. It was an easy 2.6 miles in and out from the parking lot to the trail ends sign. There wasn’t much shade but there was a handful of places with benches to stop and sit and enough shady spots that we could take a break here and there. The pictures I snapped don’t do justice to the views. I did pay $10 for parking but it was well spent, we had a good time.
June 3, 2020was a good trail to hike the hill walking down is kinda steep for older hikers but Overall was easy to get down. it was also kinda steep to go back up. there is a couple diff trails u can choose to take you. we took the one to the left after u walked down to the water where it splits. great weather bring sunscreen great area for picnic. good swimming spot for the kids.
May 27, 2020Loved it! There’s such easy access to the river before and after the hike. There is loose dirt so be mindful of that. There’s tons of shade making it a very nice to stop along the benches so you can sit down and take a break. Very easy trail with lots of pretty bridges and little water holes. You can see the beautiful river almost the whole time!!
May 26, 2020Beautiful hike with lots if sun and some shade. We did this hike on Memorial Day with our dog. There are couple of spots that might be difficulty for those who struggle with mobility, especially if you want to visit the water, but overall it was pretty easy. There were so many gorgeous views of wildflowers and rapids. I enjoyed the benches along the trail. They were great for water breaks. Everyone on the trail was super friendly and all dogs were leashed. The path is narrow, but I didn't feel unsafe or feel like it would be dangerous to bring children. There is a fee to park. The lot was not open when we arrived in the morning, but it was when we were leaving. Even if you park on the street, you will need to pay the $10 fee. The machine takes cards.
May 21, 2020I loved this trail! It might be because it wasn’t busy or because it’s my first time... but it’s a flat trail with a. Drop off to the river on one side... super awesome views and plenty of trails down to the river with little beaches to chill on, you could spend the whole day out there chilling on warm rocks and walking around
May 20, 2020Parking lots still closed! Argh! Had to park on the roadside just up from the trail head. Loved the easy trail with beautiful views of the rushing river. Steep drop off on most of the trail so hug the far left. I don’t believe it’s wide enough for a dog walking. I’d also be nervous with young kids. I’d recommend age 10 and up personally. A little muddy today in some spots due to the rain overnight. However, the fresh scent of a new rain was intoxicating! Get on the trail early in order to snag the very few parking spots off the road near the trail.
May 17, 2020Pretty little hike. I personally wouldn’t say the trial is wide. It’s very flat and sort of narrow, especially towards the end. People were nice to try to step aside and let others pass. River access is great. People with off leash dogs not so much. We have a dog and it’s terrifying every time an off leash dog come from around the corner. Yesterday park rangers were out making sure everyone had their dogs on a leash. The ranger informed us there had been a dog attack. Spring flowers are great! Please do not pick them! There are signs asking people to not partake in this type of behavior. Please leave wildflowers alone. Thank you.
May 16, 2020May 12, 2020Trail starts out wide enough but does narrow once you get going. I would not consider it wide. I would be nervous to bring my 5 year old daughter as an accidental spill and she's over the edge. Views of the river were fantastic and there are some access points along the trail that let you get down to it. Benches are also scattered along the way which provided some welcome relief from carrying my son on my back. Overall a great experience.
April 18, 2020What a beautiful hike, with views of white water rapids and bluish green water from the South Yuba River and purple and gold wild flowers all along the easy trail. We will definitely return.
April 10, 2020The trail is now open however the parking area is closed so you need to use off street parking. The trail has been worked on and is in great shape.
March 27, 2020Great views, easy for kids to do. Great times
