Welcome to the ultimate guide for stargazing enthusiasts in Plumas County! Nestled in the heart of Northern California’s Sierra Nevada, Plumas County draws travelers from far and wide, captivated by our breathtaking night skies.
In 2025, Plumas County becomes an even more extraordinary destination for stargazers, as scientists predict the best northern lights displays in over a decade due to the sun’s solar maximum. With our Bortle Class 2 skies, you might catch vibrant auroras—green, purple, and pink swirls—visible farther south than usual, making this a bucket-list year for celestial adventures.
With minimal light pollution, high elevations, and vast open spaces, our region offers some of the darkest skies in the state, revealing the Milky Way, shooting stars, and constellations in stunning clarity. Whether you’re a novice stargazer or a seasoned astronomer, our remote locations promise unforgettable celestial experiences. Remember to check weather conditions, bring warm layers, and use red flashlights to preserve your night vision.
Click here to see the night skies for yourself!
Why Plumas County is Perfect for Stargazing
Plumas County’s rural landscape and protected natural areas create ideal conditions for dark sky viewing. The county features national forests, state parks, and lakes with Bortle Class 2 skies in many spots—meaning you can see thousands of stars on a clear night. Low population density keeps ambient light at bay, allowing for vivid views of celestial events like meteor showers and the aurora borealis on rare occasions. Summer months offer the best visibility, but winter nights can be crisp and rewarding too.
In 2025, the aurora borealis is expected to be more frequent and vibrant due to the sun’s peak activity in its 11-year solar cycle, known as the solar maximum. This rare event expands the auroral oval southward, potentially making northern lights visible in Plumas County, especially at high-elevation spots like Mount Hough Lookout or Lake Almanor Basin. The best viewing windows are late September through mid-October, with September 22, 2025, during the autumn equinox, offering a prime chance due to the Russell-McPherron effect, which boosts aurora displays.
Top Stargazing Locations
Explore these handpicked spots across Plumas County, from easily accessible lookouts to remote wilderness areas. We’ve included driving tips, accessibility notes, and why each location shines for stargazing. Locations are grouped by region for easier planning.
Quincy and Eastern Plumas
Quincy, the county seat, serves as a great base with nearby spots offering quick escapes from town lights.
- Mount Hough Lookout: Perched at over 7,000 feet, this historic fire lookout provides panoramic views with zero ambient light. Easily accessible by car via a well-maintained forest road (about 10 miles from Quincy). Park at the turnout and set up for unobstructed skies—perfect for Milky Way photography.
- Spanish Ranch Road in Meadow Valley: Just a short drive from Quincy, this quiet rural road offers open fields and minimal traffic. It’s usually in good condition for standard vehicles and provides fairly dark skies close to home.
- Bucks Lake: Secluded in the wilderness, this lake’s high elevation (over 5,000 feet) and forested surroundings offer dark, quiet spots. Boat-in camping enhances the adventure.
- Sierra Valley Preserve (near Beckwourth): Host to star parties, this nature center offers guided events with telescopes. The open valley provides 360-degree views; check for upcoming dates like the annual Star Party in September.
- Lake Davis: Popular for fishing by day and stargazing by night, with open shores and picnic areas. Drive-up access makes it convenient.
- Frenchman Lake: At 5,500 feet, this reservoir has campgrounds with minimal light interference. The surrounding hills block distant glows for pristine viewing.
Indian Valley Region
Indian Valley, encompassing towns like Greenville, Taylorsville, Crescent Mills, and Genesee, offers serene valleys and lakes with excellent dark sky access.
- Coppercreek Camp (near Greenville): A mountain escape with fresh air and exceptionally dark night skies perfect for stargazing. Pitch a tent or stay in a cabin for an immersive experience.
- Mount Hough Lookout (easy drive from Indian Valley): A quick trip from Taylorsville or Crescent Mills gets you to this 7,000-foot lookout with jaw-dropping night skies. The forest road up is solid for most cars, and once you’re there, it’s just you and a blanket of stars—no city lights to ruin the view. Perfect for spotting meteors or just soaking in the Milky Way with friends.
- Antelope Lake: Located in the northern part of Indian Valley, this high-elevation reservoir (around 5,000 feet) has low light pollution and wide-open views over the water. Boat ramps and campgrounds make it family-friendly; arrive early for the best spots, but be sure to plan accordingly, as these sites are not year round.
- Genesee Valley Open Areas: The expansive meadows here provide unobstructed horizons. Drive to pullouts along county roads for impromptu viewing—ideal for groups seeking solitude.
Mount Hough, Jake Edwards 
Crystal Lake Near Taylorsville, Jake Edwards 
Indian Valley, Jake Edwards Lake Almanor Basin
This area is renowned for its basin geography, which amplifies dark sky conditions.
- Lake Almanor Basin: Far from urban light pollution, the basin around Lake Almanor lets you see more stars than you imagined. Popular spots include lakeside pullouts and resorts like Plumas Pines, where the night sky dazzles over the water.
- Olsen Barn (in Chester): This historic barn and surrounding meadows offer a serene, open setting for stargazing with minimal light pollution. Easily accessible via Highway 36, it’s a local favorite for unobstructed views of the Milky Way and meteor showers—perfect for families or photographers seeking a rustic backdrop.
Night at Lake Almanor, Jake Edwards 
Olsen Barn starry sky Jake Edwards_Scenescapery 
Lake Almanor Auroras, Jake Edwards Lassen Volcanic National Park and Nearby
Bordering Plumas County, Lassen adds volcanic drama to your stargazing.
- Lassen Volcanic National Park: Abundant dark skies with ranger-led events. Best spots include lakeshores like Manzanita Lake (end of Loop D campground) or open meadows. Join celestial viewing sessions for guided tours of the stars. High-elevation spots like Manzanita Lake or Hat Creek Rim Overlook are ideal for catching potential aurora displays, visible farther south this year. Check out some of the darkest skies in Lassen National park: Lassen Dark Sky Festival 2014
- Bumpass Hell: While the geothermal boardwalk is day-focused, nearby pullouts in the park offer night views—combine with a hike for a full adventure.
- Hat Creek Rim Overlook: On the edge of Lassen, this overlook provides sweeping vistas of the Hat Creek Valley. Accessible via Highway 89/44, it’s ideal for meteor watching with low horizon light.
Mount Lassen, photo by Jake Edwards 
Lassen Volcanic Park, Jake Edwards 
Road to Mount Lassen, Jake Edwards Plumas National Forest and State Parks
Vast forests and parks dominate the county, offering dispersed camping for the darkest skies.
- Plumas National Forest: A recognized dark sky location allowing boondocking for ultimate seclusion. Find pullouts or trails like Big Bald Rock for elevated views of the Milky Way. Permits may be needed for overnight stays.
- Plumas Eureka State Park: With Bortle Class 2 skies, this park near Blairsden is great for camping and astronomy. Electric bike options make it accessible; enjoy forested edges with clear overhead views.
- Frazier Falls (near Graeagle): The top of Frazier Creek offers stunning night skies, with the North Star prominently visible. A short hike from the parking area leads to open viewpoints—great for time-lapse photography.
- Black Mountain Lookout: Rent this historic tower for overnight stays with 360-degree panoramas. Dark skies and elevation make it a top pick for serious stargazers.
Plumas County’s night skies are a treasure—help preserve them by supporting dark sky initiatives. To see many more photos of Plumas County stars, check out a local photographer, Jake Edwards @scenescapery on Instagram. For more adventures, explore our other activities pages.
