Bitney Springs, Nevada City, CA

## Overview Bitney Springs is a beloved public drinking spring located along Bitney Springs Road in the Nevada City area of Nevada County, California. The spring features a protected cement base with three flowing spouts fed by multiple pipes — a setup that has made it a popular stop for locals and visitors looking to fill up containers with fresh spring water. The spring is open 24 hours a day, year-round, and is freely accessible to the public. Situated in the western Sierra Nevada foothills, Bitney Springs draws from the region's rich groundwater resources. Nevada County has a long history of natural springs, many of which were used by Gold Rush-era settlers and, before them, by the Nisenan (Southern Maidu) people who inhabited these foothills for thousands of years. The road itself — Bitney Springs Road — takes its name from this very spring, a testament to its longstanding importance to the local community. Visitors have historically reported the water to be clean and refreshing, and the spring has long been used as a drinking water source by area residents. ## Directions 1. From **Interstate 80 East** (toward Reno), take **Exit 119C** for **Elm Avenue**. 2. Turn **right** onto **Elm Avenue**. 3. Turn **right** onto **CA-49 / Grass Valley Highway**. 4. Follow CA-49 and take the exit toward **CA-174 / Grass Valley / Colfax**. 5. Turn **left** onto **S Auburn Street**. 6. Turn **left** onto **W Main Street**. 7. Follow **Rough and Ready Highway** for approximately **3 miles**. 8. Turn **right** onto **Bitney Springs Road**. 9. The spring will be on your **right** side shortly after the turn. Look for a canopy structure near the road — the nearest address is around **10289 Bitney Springs Road**. **GPS Coordinates:** 39.234417, -121.107437 ## What to Expect Bitney Springs is a roadside spring, making it easy to access by car with no hiking required. As you turn from Rough and Ready Highway onto Bitney Springs Road, watch for a canopy structure on the right side of the road — this shelters the spring's three flowing spouts. The protected cement base keeps the area tidy and makes it convenient to fill jugs, bottles, or other containers. The spring flows continuously, and the multiple spouts allow several people to collect water at the same time. The surrounding area is characteristic of the Sierra Nevada foothills — oak woodlands, pines, and the rolling terrain of Nevada County's rural landscape. The spring is accessible year-round and at all hours, so you can stop by whenever it's convenient. Because this is an unregulated natural spring, water quality may vary and is not officially monitored. While the spring has been used as a drinking water source by locals for many years and visitors have reported the water tastes clean, those with health concerns may wish to treat or filter the water before consumption.