Snowmobiling Adventures in Plumas County
It’s your lucky day: you’ve just discovered some of the best snowmobiling in the Western United States! Play in the Lake Almanor Basin to the North, then on to the Bucks Lake/ La Porte areas further south, and then head east to the Lake Davis/Frenchmen Lake Recreation Areas. Put the finish on your ultimate snowmobile adventure with a trip to the Lakes Basin Recreation Area near Graeagle. You will be blown away by the incredible scenery and diverse terrain. There’s something for everyone!
Fresh Snow
Open Spaces
Final Plans for snowmobile adventure
Chester Snowmobile Park
Break time Seasons
Snow season usually runs from January through March, although we are sometimes blessed with a nice storm in December. Do your snow dance!
Best Snowmobile Areas in Plumas County
Bucks Lake Snowmobiling
Located 17 miles southwest of Quincy on Bucks Lake Road (Quincy-Oroville Road), Bucks Lake has long been considered one of the finest snowmobile destinations in the West. Up to 100 miles of groomed snowmobile routes are maintained during winter, and there are hundreds of ungroomed routes marked for snowmobiling throughout the forest. Snowmobiling is not allowed, however, in the Bucks Lake Wilderness Area.
Two staging areas are in the vicinity – Bucks Summit and Big Creek. Traveling into the Bucks Lake resorts is via snowmobile, snowcat, or cross-country skiing, as the Bucks Lake Road is not plowed past the summit. Visit the Bucks Lake Snow Drifters page for the latest trail and grooming reports. Bucks Lake Snowmobile Maps.
Lake Almanor Basin Snowmobiling
The Almanor Basin offers an abundance of scenic snowmobiling areas. Near Chester, there are five staging areas–Chester-Lake Almanor Snowmobile Park, Swain Mountain, Morgan Summit, Jonesville, and Fredonyer– leading to many miles of groomed and ungroomed trails.
A lesser maintained trailhead begins at the boat launch just north of Canyon Dam and continues across to the west side of Highway 89. Another popular area off Highway 89 is Humboldt Road, which offers access to a trail leading to restaurants and lodges along Highway 36 west of Chester.
For more information on the Jonesville area west of Chester, visit the Butte Meadows Hillsiders Snowmobile Club. You’ll find grooming information, maps, and more.
Indian Valley Snowmobiling
Indian Valley offers stunning scenery on marked ungroomed routes. Popular rides include the unplowed road from Genesee to Antelope Lake, the Lights Creek trail north of Taylorsville, and Old Haun Road north of Greenville.
South Eastern Plumas County Snowmobiling
Gold Lake Highway, which winds through the Lakes Basin Recreation Area south of Graeagle, has spectacular beauty and diverse terrain that has made it a primary snowmobiling destination for many years. The road is unplowed, groomed, and marked from the staging area. Snowmobilers can choose from many trails that branch off the road, including a groomed trail to Mills Peak Lookout, or continue south to the staging area at Bassett’s Station.
Historic La Porte is also renowned for its excellent snowmobiling opportunities, with more than 80 miles of marked, groomed trails, a staging area with a warming hut and restrooms, and four trailside warming huts.
The best access is from the southern route (from Marysville/Oroville, via Highway 20 and County Road E-21).
Lake Davis and Frenchman Lake Snowmobiling
Farther east, the trout fisheries of Lake Davis and Frenchman Lake near Portola become excellent locations for snowmobiling during the winter. Ungroomed trails run around both lakes, and there’s a parking area at Davis Lake off Grizzly Road.
For more detailed maps of the trails, staging areas, and warming huts, contact the Plumas National Forest (530) 283-2050 or the Lassen National Forest (530) 258-2141.
Winter Lodging
Not all lodging providers are open year round. Available lodging during the winter months, best to reserve in advance of visiting.
Group Break
Lake Almanor Snowmobile Club Poker Run Check Point
