Scenic Byways

Virtually every roadway in Plumas County offers beautiful scenery, which changes with the seasons.

No matter what direction you come from, you'll also be treated to some outstanding natural beauty on the drive up and back.


There are two routes through Plumas County that have been designated as part of the National Forest Scenic Byway program.

These routes link cultural, historic, scenic and natural resources with communities and services found along the way.

The byways have reflective signs along the route illustrated with a colorful purple, green and blue logo showing a highway, mountains and trees.

Lassen National Scenic Byway. This route actually begins north of Plumas County and encompasses Lassen Volcanic National Park on Highway 89. The route enters Plumas County just past the south entrance of the park where it joins Highway 36 west of Chester.

The loop around Lake Almanor can be taken in either direction, and you can start on the south end of the lake as well, leaving from Canyon Dam.

The views of Lake Almanor and Lassen Peak are the highlight of this trip, which takes in about 38 miles and a couple of hours with stops.

There are many opportunities to stop for lunch, to shop, take a walk, and enjoy a swim or boat trip on the lake.

The Scenic Byway Link. This equally scenic route joins the two National Scenic Byways, taking you through stunning pastoral mountain meadows of the Indian Valley.

Follow Highway 89 through the towns of Canyon Dam, Greenville and Crescent Mills. This route also takes in the Maidu Auto Tour (see page 95). At its southern end, it follows Indian Creek and joins the Feather River Scenic Byway, Highway 70, at the confluence of Indian and Spanish Creeks in a spot known as the Greenville "Y" 10 miles northwest of Quincy. The route between the "Y" and Canyon Dam is roughly 18 miles and takes about a half hour or longer with stops.

Feather River National Scenic Byway. This 130-mile route travels east-west across Butte, Plumas and Lassen counties on State Highway 70, following the north and middle forks of the Feather River. Total estimated driving time is about 3.5 hours, one way. Few California highways feature such natural beauty and diversity in terrain, landscape, wildlife and elevation as this one. It also highlights mankind's feats of hydroelectric power, railroad and highway construction along the steep, rugged canyon walls.

The drive is particularly stunning in the spring, when vibrant green surrounds nearly 100 waterfalls, and in the fall the steep mountainsides are ablaze with orange and red oak trees. The route can be taken in either direction.

From the west, it starts eight miles north of Oroville on Highway 70, winds through the magnificent Feather River Canyon, connects with Highway 89 on through Quincy to Blairsden-Graeagle, resumes as Highway 70 through Portola, drops down onto the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada and cuts through the fantastic expanse of the Sierra Valley, the western edge of the Great Basin.

A self-guided driving tour brochure and map of the Feather River National Scenic Byway is available by calling the Plumas County Visitors Bureau, (800) 326-2247. The tour highlights 17 natural, historic and manmade features along the route.

A more detailed regional map of the Feather River Scenic Byway also is available for sale at the Visitors Bureau.