Traveling already has the possibility of being unpredictable and when heading to a small town in the middle of the mountains you want to know what to expect and have a plan for gas, food and lodging.

Downieville has not had a gas station in 8 years so it is highly recommended to stop and get gas before you arrive. Depending on which way you are coming from there are some choices. When coming from the west the Lost Nugget in Camptonville is the closest gas station to us in the winter. The Sierraville Service and Country Store in Sierraville is closest when coming from the East. During the summer there is gas available at Bassets near Sierra City but it is seasonal and closes early during the day. Don’t find yourself stranded in Downieville without gas-be sure to fill up before you arrive.

When it comes to food options, the town has a limited amount of dining, especially during the winter with only 1 place currently open 7 days a week. During the summer there are a handful of places to have drinks, meals and light snacks. Some lodgings have kitchen rooms making meal prep a lot easier, but we do recommend folks bringing microwave friendly foods as most rooms in town are equipped with one. 

Downieville has 3 hotels in town: Carriage House Inn, Riverside Mountain Lodge, and the Downieville River Inn (the one with the pool). All lodgings boast their own amenities so be sure to do your research before booking! We always recommend calling the front desk of any hotel to make sure you’re getting the best room for your buck. The innkeepers at Riverside Mountain Lodge are also full of information regarding awesome adventures in the Sierra- feel free to pick their brains, plus if your stay is longer than 3 nights midweek your 4th night is free!

Being prepared for Downieville doesn’t take much, but it is important to understand what this little town can offer midweek. Hopefully this helps you feel more comfortable adventuring into the mountains for your first time. 

Adventures Downieville and the Sierra are known for: hiking, mountain biking, swimming, fishing, hunting, mining, backpacking, snowshoeing, skiing, snow machining AND MORE. Come back soon for example adventure itineraries.