Area Recreational Offerings

There is no better way to enjoy the beauty of Plumas County than by exploring it first-hand and on foot. Whether you take a leisurely stroll or a strenuous hike, you'll experience the magnificence of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges along an extensive system of hiking trails. Here's a look at some of the most accessible ones:

Dogs are welcome (leash preferred) on all National Forest hiking trails. Within Plumas-Eureka State Park, dogs are only allowed on the Grass Lake trail, and dogs are not allowed on hiking trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park, although they are welcome in the parking lots, roads and road shoulders, campgrounds and picnic areas.

About 80 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) stretch across Plumas County, with elevations ranging from 2,400 to 7,000 feet. This famous west coast trail, open to foot and horseback traffic only, encompasses a total of 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada. The Plumas County section can be accessed six miles west of Chester, at Belden in the Feather River Canyon, at Bucks Summit on Bucks Lake Road, off Big Creek Road near Bucks Lake, along the Quincy/La Porte Road, and in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. The communities of Chester and Quincy both welcome PCT hikers. Due to changes in the trail each year, the exact half-way point varies slightly, but is near Highway 36 just west of Chester.

The Almanor Basin offers a myriad of hiking opportunities, including the paved Lake Almanor Recreation Trail that follows the west shore of the lake. The Almanor area also is close to some magnificent hikes within Lassen Volcanic National Park and the nearby Caribou Wilderness Area. Collins Pines Lumber Company has a short walk off the PCT on the north side of Highway 36 called Park 40 which offers a self-guided interpretive trail.

The Feather River Canyon affords hikers the opportunity to hike near one of the most beautiful waterways in the state, as well as to marvel at many of man's engineering feats.

In the Bucks Lake Wilderness Area, one trail follows the lake while another takes hikers to remote mountain lakes higher up.

The Indian Valley area has self-guided nature walks pleasant for families and seniors, including the Round Valley Lake Nature Walk near Greenville and the short hike to spectacular Indian Falls. Indian Falls is about nine miles south of Greenville on Highway 89. It is worth a quick stop to walk to the fall. See why this was a special place for the Maidu Indians. Intermediate hiking trails are located off the road to Antelope Lake, including a trail between Antelope and Taylor Lakes. And be sure to check out the trails around the beautiful Heart K Ranch in Genesee Valley.

Lake Almanor, at 4,500 feet elevation and with 52 miles of forested shoreline, is the county's largest lake, offering year-round fishing and spectacular views of majestic Lassen Peak.

Butt Valley Reservoir, near Lake Almanor, is widely known for camping and as a great fishery for trout.

Round Valley Reservoir, located three miles above Greenville, is a warm water fishery containing bass and bluegill, and is a popular place to bring children because they're sure to make a catch. Antelope Lake, located 30 miles NE of the small town of Taylorsville in the Genesee Valley, is a popular camping and fishing spot. It sits at 5,000 feet in elevation and has 15 miles of shoreline. Bucks Lake, 17 miles southwest of Quincy, and at 5,200 feet in elevation, boasts 17 miles of shoreline, sandy beaches and tall pines.Bucks Lake attracts fishermen, campers, hikers and water sports enthusiasts in summer. Winter bring snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Little Grass Valley Reservoir, 3 miles south of the community of La Porte, sits at just over 5,000 feet in elevation. It is hugely popular with campers and fishing enthusiasts in the summer, and snowmobile enthusiasts in the winter.

Lake Davis,seven miles north of the City of Portola, sits at 5,800 feet in elevation and offers year-round activities. Camping, fishing (including an annual fishing derby) and hiking during the summer months, and a popular ice fishing tournament, sled-dog races and snowmobile poker runs in the winter. Nearby J&J’s Grizzly Store has just about anything you might need.

Frenchman Lake is in the eastern end of the beautiful Sierra Valley. A high desert lake at 5,800 feet, it's nestled in the pines. Just out of Chilcoot, Frenchman is home to campingand fishing.

offers hiking, camping and fishing in the summer and draws snow sports enthusiasts in the winter. 6,400 feet in elevation.

Nakoma Golf Resort is a scenic wonder that will help golfers realize what's so special about Reno and the High Sierras as a golf destination. Challenging play team with unbelievable scenery, giving players a day on the links they won't soon forget.Playing to more than 7,000 yards from the back tees, Nakoma will challenge even scratch golfers with an imposing slope rating of 147. With five tee settings, however, Nakoma Golf Resort has proven to be a golf course that will delight all levels of golfers.

Set in the scenic Mohawk Valley, Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club was designed by Dick Bailey and has been ranked as one of the 20 best golf courses in California by Golf Digest. Just a short drive from the golf destinations of Reno and Tahoe, Whitehawk has gained a well-earned reputation as one of the must plays of the High Sierra region.

Nestled between the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade ranges, Grizzly Ranch Golf Club is surrounded by over a million acres of national and state forest. The landscape consists of rolling hills, native wetlands, and wildflower fields with ponderosas and Jeffrey pines sprinkled throughout. Grizzly Ranch Golf Club's terrain is mountainous with dramatic elevation changes and numerous valleys lined with trees. Grizzly Ranch terrain is forgiving enough for beginning and intermediate players.