Chester/Lake Almanor area
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The Chester/Lake Almanor Basin is best known as a recreation paradise and the gateway to Lassen Volcanic National Park.
It's also the place where the Sierra Nevada range and the Cascade range meet, and is the southern terminus of the newly-designated Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, a 500-mile All American Road featuring volcanic and other scenic attractions.
Best Bets in Chester-Lake Almanor area
Drive around Lake Almanor and take in a picnic and views at the rest stop on the lake's north end.
Put your address in the "From" box and your favorite Chester/Lake Almanor area destination in the "To" box below for directions...
Bike or hike along the Lake Almanor Recreation Trail along the lake's west shore.
Rent a patio boat to tour the lake; look for grebes and osprey.
Take a dip at the beach on the west shore.
Treat yourself at an old-fashioned soda fountain inside Lassen Gift Store.
Take a trip to Drakesbad; hike or soak in the hydrothermal-heated pool.
Saddle up for a lakeshore horseback ride.
Tour the Dinky and the Chester Museum, with a rest stop at Chester Park.
Golf three scenic and challenging courses along the lake.
Information
At 4,500 feet elevation and with 52 miles of shoreline, Almanor is the county's largest lake, offering year-round fishing and spectacular views of majestic Lassen Peak.
Mt. Lassen as seen from Lake Almanor, California - Photo by Nan Aki
The lake is one of the most popular attractions in Northern California, drawing visitors year-round.
Summer lake surface temperatures of about 75 degrees make it ideal for water sports, including waterskiing, sailing, sailboarding and jet skiing.
Golfers can enjoy three courses in the Almanor Basin, including 18-hole championship Bailey Creek and two nine-hole courses.
A large network of trails offer a myriad of opportunities for hiking and biking and exploring, both around the lake and in the surrounding forest.
The North Fork Feather River, which flows into Almanor, and nearby Yellow Creek are favorites with catch and release fly-fishermen.
Nearby Butt Valley Reservoir is widely known as a great fishery for trout. This area also is an undiscovered jewel for winter recreation, including snowmobiling, cross country skiing and downhill skiing at Stover Mountain.
The highlight of this wintry season is Winterfest, held in February, featuring snowmobile drag races, a poker run and sled dog races. Winter visitors can also take in the excitement of observing nearby snowmobile snow-cross racing.
The charming town of Chester, located at the northern end of the lake, offers a full range of amenities.
Services for visitors also are available in small communities along the lake, including Prattville, Almanor, Lake Almanor West, the Lake Almanor Peninsula, Hamilton Branch and Canyon Dam.
Canyon Dam, California - Photo by Nan Aki
Overnight visitors to Chester/Lake Almanor can choose from a wide range of motels, resorts, vacation rentals, bed and breakfast inns and campgrounds.
Annual art shows, a July 4th fireworks display, parade and run, and an annual Street Rod Extravaganza in September are among the special events that are featured each year.
The surrounding Lassen National Forest maintains two nearby wilderness areas, the Caribou and the Ishi, which are easy to explore.
History buffs and adventurers can enjoy a half-day trip to Seneca. A few inhabitants and a unique bar are all that remain of this once thriving gold mining town.
The Warner Valley, which leads into Lassen Volcanic National Park, offers another scenic side trip.
There is a new development undergoing construction at Dyer Mountain east of Chester, which will bring a new ski resort, more golf, and vacation rentals to the area in the near future.
If you are interested in real estate in the area, please visit our local real estate offices.
For more information about the area, contact the Chester-Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce at (800) 350-4838.
Come and see us...
Put your address in the "From" box and your favorite Chester/Lake Almanor area destination in the "To" box below for directions...
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