The beauty and solitude of nature is what Plumas County is all about. There is plenty of quiet, open space and fresh air. You won’t find it crowded with tourists. More than three-quarters of Plumas County’s 2,618 square miles is national forest land. The Plumas National Forest encompasses the majority of that, while the Lassen National Forest takes in part of the northern end of the county, and the Tahoe National Forest touches into the south and east. The Plumas National Forest occupies 1.2 million acres of scenic mountain Silver, Gold, Rock and Mud lakes are just a sampling of the many alpine lakes in the 1.2 millands in the northern edge lion acre Plumas National Forest occupying the northern edge of the Sierra Nevada. Over 300 of the Sierra Nevada, just miles of maintained trails give visitors ample space to roam freely. south of the Cascade range. Known for its high alpine lakes and thousands of miles of There are hundreds of maintained campsites and numerclear-running streams, the forest sits at the top of the waterous picnic spots to choose from. shed that supplies water to many California citizens. Recreational opportunities are available in every season. Trees within the forest are mostly grand conifers, which Some 300 miles of trails are maintained throughout the forreach high into the sky and are beautifully latticed with snow est, including the Pacific Crest Trail. during winter, and various hardwoods that turn brilliant colors The forest and the sparsely populated rural communities in the fall. that surround it provide a feeling of seclusion and tranquillity. Outdoor enthusiasts are attracted year-round to the naIf you’re needing to rest, reflect and get away from it all, this is tional forest and its waterways, beautiful deep canyons, rich the place. mountain valleys and lofty peaks. Mark Kidder
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Crystal Lake, below Mt. Hough lookout
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Maggie Hennessy
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Sport utility vehicle owners take note! Plumas County has plenty of well-maintained, unpaved forest service roads that lead to lakes, fishing spots, lookouts and picnic sites. The roads access some 1.2 million acres of public land that can keep intrepid explorers happy for days on end. Brochures have been developed featuring four popular backcountry road adventures, designed with SUVs in mind. If you’re looking for more rugged off-highway adventure, head for one of the 4x4 routes, staging areas or campgrounds developed specifically for off-highway vehicles. The Plumas National Forest visitor map is available for sale to help guide off-highway users. To avoid fines, stay on designated roads and trails. High Sierra ATV Tours, (800) 596-8840, and Explore! Sierra Touring Company (530) 832-5450, offer guided rides to scenic destinations in the Sierra Valley east of Portola. High Sierra also offers ATV and Snow Tracks rentals. Contact visitor centers to request maps, brochures or more information. Or contact the various forest service offices listed on page 10 of this guide.
2014 - 2015 PLUMAS COUNTY VISITORS GUIDE