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 given official national scenic byway designation. 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 colorful logos.
Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway All American Road
Chester-Lake Almanor is the southern terminus of this byway, considered one of the top 20 scenic drives in the nation. This 500-mile byway begins at the southern end of Lake Almanor, and proceeds north on both sides of the lake (via Hwys. 89 and 147) to Chester, located on Hwy. 36. It continues through Lassen Volcanic National Park and Hwy. 44, linking volcanoes, small towns and other attractions stretching to Crater Lake, Oregon. Travelers intending to drive the entire All American Road can begin or end their journey at Chester-Lake Almanor, which offers year-round amenities. Details on the entire route are available here. Drivers can take in just the loop around Lake Almanor, going in either direction, starting from Chester on the north end or from Canyon Dam on the south end. 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 Plumas County’s the two 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. 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 at many Visitor Centers throughout the county. The tour highlights 17 natural, historic and man-made features along the route.
