Plumas: Nature, History and Vacation Rentals

Plumas combines impressive landscapes with railroad and mining history. Anyone looking for a mixture of lakes, trails, historic sites and special experiences for their vacation will find many different sources of inspiration for planning their own trip here. One particularly exciting consideration is whether your days should be shaped more by culture and technology, by water and forests, or by longer excursions.

Railroad History and Historic Discoveries

For families interested in technology and railroads, the Run-A-Locomotive program offers an extraordinary experience: visitors can rent a historic diesel locomotive and operate it on the museum grounds under the close supervision of a personal instructor. The Western Pacific Railroad Museum's collection includes more than 30 locomotives and 128 pieces of rolling stock. Visitors are also invited to step into locomotive cabs.

The Plumas County Museum is also dedicated to the region's history. Its permanent exhibitions include an outstanding collection of baskets woven by members of the Mountain Maidu. The section on industrial history covers the railroads of Plumas County, gold mining along the Feather River and the timber industry. Further highlights on the exhibition grounds include a working blacksmith shop, a stamp mill and a restored miner's cabin.

At Plumas-Eureka State Park, visitors can explore a historic mining-era village. The trails in the park provide access to the Pacific Crest Trail. The Backcountry Discovery Trail is a 150-mile route for exploring Plumas County and can therefore be included in trip planning as a longer route.

Lakes, Forests and Different Trails

Bucks Lake represents another side of Plumas. The high-altitude mountain lake lies at an elevation of 5,200 feet and has a 17-mile shoreline. Kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards can be rented there. The Mill Creek Trail at Bucks Lake leads through pine forests and aspen groves. Anyone who wants to combine water and forest can take these options into account when choosing their daily destinations.

For a comparatively level route, the Round Valley Lake Loop, which runs around the lake, is suitable. More than 100 bird species have been observed at or near Round Valley Reservoir. This creates different options for planning the day: you can choose a route where walking is the main focus, or combine the landscape with an interest in birds and nature observation.

The Antelope Lake Recreation Area has an 11-mile paved loop. The Boulder Creek Campground offers 68 shaded campsites amid pine and fir trees. The main road through Lassen Volcanic National Park is also a notable excursion option: it runs for 30 miles through the western part of the park and connects two visitor centers.

Choosing the Right Vacation Rental Based on Your Travel Interests

When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Plumas, it is worth deciding on your preferred pace first. If you prefer railroads, mining and museum experiences, your daily ideas will differ from those on a trip focused on lakes, forest trails and longer drives. Families who want to combine different interests can include culture, a route and time by the water in their personal plans without making every vacation day the same.

For further location options, see the pages for Spring Garden, Chester, Quincy, Portola, Graeagle, Cromberg, Belden, Plumas Eureka, Lake Almanor Country Club, Johnsville and Lake Almanor Peninsula. This allows you to compare different starting points and then choose accommodation based on your own travel plans.

For the higher-level travel overview: California.