Plumas has more than 100 lakes, many of which are cool water high mountain lakes offering excellent year-round fishing. Lake Almanor is Plumas County's largest lake where fishing is outstanding in the fall and winter and generally good year-round. Bucks Lake is noted for trophy size Mackinaw trout. Fall fly fishing for rainbow trout is often spectacular in middle to late afternoon. May flies, caddis flies and stone flies are the most common natural insects found in more than 1,000 miles of excellent fly fishing streams throughout Plumas County. The Middle Fork of the Feather River is designated as a Wild and Scenic River and is noted for its wild trout. Yellow Creek in Northern Plumas County is renowned for catch and release trophy fly fishing.

The 130 mile route through Plumas County combines natural beauty and diversity in terrain, landscape, wildlife and elevation. It also showcases the manmade marvels of hydroelectric power, unique railroad bridges and tunnels and beautiful highway bridges spanning the Feather River. Along its route, sightseers can enjoy the natural beauty and see timber, grazing, mining and recreational operations which are part of the economic heritage of the region. A detailed map and guide of the entire length of the byway is available through the Plumas County Visitors Bureau, and some local businesses.

Eureka! was the shout heard around the world 150 years ago at the discovery of gold in California. Plumas County is proud to be part of this heritage, and the three year celebration honoring gold discovery, Gold Rush diversity and statehood The Plumas Eureka State Park Museum in Johnsville offers visitors a chance to learn about stamp mill gold mining and the miners' lifestyle. During Living History Days held the last Saturday of each month during the summer, costumed docents greet visitors and retell the stories of gold miners who came to the area 150 years ago. Visitors are able to ask questions about the lives of these "pioneers," sample foods from the period and try their hand at some of the chores that were part of the everyday life of these early residents.

Rich railroad history and unique engineering wonders attract railroad enthusiasts to Plumas County. The Portola Railroad Museum is a unique outdoor museum which displays a collection of vintage diesel-electric locomotives. Visitors can climb about on the cars, hop on a caboose or drive a locomotive. West of Quincy stands the only railroad wye in the world with two legs on bridges and the closing track in a tunnel. See the Williams Loop east of Quincy. The track makes a continuous one mile loop on a one percent grade to gain altitude. Long trains can be seen crossing over themselves. Near Graeagle, the Union Pacific Railroad crosses Willow Creek on a tremendous viaduct of steel standing 178 feet high and spanning a distance of 1,005 feet. Under this bridge are the last remnants of Plumas County's first railroad, the narrow gauge Sierra Valley & Mohawk Railroad.

Spring is the best time to view some 300 different species of birds that live in Plumas County. Whether you are a novice or an experienced birdwatcher, you will find many opportunities for spotting birds in the meadows, marshes, streams and trees. You can birdwatch from a vehicle, or walk along developed hiking trails. Migratory waterfowl, songbirds and raptors flock to the wetlands and riparian areas in the Sierra Valley east of Portola. Other great locations include Indian Valley, Lake Almanor, Plumas Eureka State Park, Antelope, Frenchman and Davis Lakes. By late spring, wildflowers are in full bloom along hiking trails, throughout the mountain meadows and hillsides.

First rate golf, natural beauty and a plethora of other recreational opportunities makes Plumas County a rare golfing destination. Graeagle has three championship golf courses including the new environmental award winning Whitehawk Ranch, Graeagle Meadows, Plumas Pines and Grizzly at Gold Mountain. Three 9-hole courses are also in the Graeagle area. Lake Almanor area has two 9-hole golf courses with Bailey Creek. For a great half-hour side trip, head for the Lakes Basin Recreation Area just south of Graeagle. It offers numerous small mountain fishing lakes, hiking and biking trails surrounded by wildflowers and stunning mountain views.

History comes alive with the Longboard Ski Revival Series Races held annually January through March on the slopes of the Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl in Johnsville. These races commemorate the first recorded ski racing in the western hemisphere held in Plumas County in 1860. Racers compete on 13 foot-long wooden skis, longboards, with leather bindings, using homemade wax and a single wooden pole for stopping. Period costumes and other 1800's traditions, music and food are all part of the fun.

Snow sculpture competitions, dogsledding, snowshoeing and snowmobile racing are all part of the small town winter fun that will bring big time thrills. A vacation planned around the time of Winterfest in Chester, or Winter Holiday in Portola is sure to be a success for the entire family. The Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl in Johnsville, and the Stover Mountain Ski Area near Chester are open weekends throughout the season for downhill, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. These small, volunteer-run areas with poma lifts and rope tows offer a cheaper alternative to Tahoe, and provide a great place to teach kids to ski. Nordic skiers will find a wide variety of cross-country options ranging from beginner level flat groomed track, to challenging peaks and back country waiting for the most advanced telemark skiers.

Each year from October through November Mother Nature puts on a dazzling display of color. Plumas County, at the northern end of the Sierra-Nevada, is one of the best places in the State of California to view fall foliage. Masses of gold, yellow, orange and red set against the majestic dark green pines and royal blue sky make Plumas a must see destination for nature lovers and camera buffs. Best spots to view fall color include the Feather River Canyon and Scenic Byway, Lake Almanor, Indian Valley, Lakes Basin Area and Bucks Lake. "Fall Colors of Plumas County," an in-depth guide and driving tour brochure, is available through the Plumas County Visitors Bureau. Each year, the peak period varies with weather and elevation. Fall is a great time to visit Plumas County. Summer crowds are gone, and the fall weather is wonderful, with bracing mornings and long golden afternoons.

Experienced kayakers & rafters will find plenty of excitement on the world-class whitewater found along the North Forks and Middle Forks of the Feather River from January to April or May. The Wild and Scenic Zone of the Middle Fork past the La Porte Road bridge is for teams of expert rafters and kayakers only. The renowned 32 mile three day trip to Milsap Bar is an extremely difficult wilderness adventure past deep canyon walls, numerous boulders and waterfalls. Experts regard this remote and scenic stretch as the most spectacular multi day kayaking trip in all of California.

Seething sulphur springs, belching mud pots, and hissing steam vents are among the wondrous sights awaiting visitors to beautiful Lassen Volcanic National Park. Hiking trails take visitors through the geothermal area called Bumpass Hell, through the devastation area, which exhibits remarkable recovery since Lassen's last eruption in 1914 and to the summit of Lassen Peak. The 100 year old Drakesbad Guest Ranch is the only accommodation within the park. It offers rustic cabins and rooms without electricity, great meals, horseback riding, hiking, fishing and hot springs. The Lassen National Scenic Byway joins Hwy 36 at the south entrance near Chester, and continues around Lake Almanor through Indian Valley where it joins the Feather River Scenic Byway.

Snowmobiling is popular throughout the Plumas, Lassen and Tahoe National Forests with hundreds of miles of groomed trails plus staging areas and warming huts. Bucks Lake is a well known destination. After a day of snowmobiling, visitors can hibernate in cozy accommodations in front of a toasty fire at year round lakeside resorts. Other good areas include the Lake Almanor Basin, La Porte and Lakes Basin Recreation Area.