The Best Places for a Family Vacation in Plumas County

Written by someone who knows there’s no place quite like home. 

In Plumas County, the air is a little crisper, the nights a lot darker except for the twinkling stars, and the pace delightfully slower. You won’t find yourself stuck in traffic, fast food restaurants, and there’s no honking horns. Just the sound of wind in the pines, the sighting of deer in the underbrush, and the kind of quiet where you can hear children’s laughter as it echos back at them. 

If you’re looking for a family getaway that feels like stepping into the pages of a forgotten storybook—Plumas County is the place. Below are four of our most special towns to visit with kids in tow, each offering unique activities, unforgettable scenery, and a chance to truly connect.

Chester: Mountain Town Meets Lakeside Magic

Chester greets you with wide streets and a sense of stillness that settles in as soon as you arrive. Framed by Lassen Volcanic National Park to the west and Lake Almanor to the south, it feels like a small-town summer dream—log cabins, fishing docks, breezes off the lake, and the kind of dusk that begs for roasted marshmallows and ghost stories.

Downtown is welcoming, with an eclectic mix of restaurants, two hardware stores with everything one could need, a bookstore, home decor, outdoor furniture, and several gift shops, where kids can pick out a toy or field guide, mom can find a gift for the dog-walker and teen sister can add a Plumas County sticker to her collection. But it’s what surrounds the town that makes it shine: forests, trails, wildflowers, and water.

What to Do With Your Family in Chester

Spend the Day on the Almanor Recreation Trail and Lake Almanor

This paved lakeside trail is perfect for all ages—bike it, walk it, push a stroller, or stop every ten feet to skip rocks and collect pinecones. It hugs the shoreline, offering uninterrupted views of Mt. Lassen and the shimmering lake.

If you need rentals, try Major’s Outpost and Knotty Pine Marina for motorboats and jet skis. For bikes, kayaks, and paddle boards, try Higher Elevation Kayak Rentals.Want to introduce your kids to fishing? Book a trip with one of our local fishing guides.  Visit the Lake Almanor Lake page for more information on Lake Almanor.

Explore the Collins Pine Nature Trail

This is a great little loop for families, especially with younger kids. It winds through tall pine trees, with views of the Feather River along the way, and you’ll often see deer or hear woodpeckers if you go early or late in the day. In spring and fall, the colors really pop and the air smells like fresh pine and wildflowers. There are spots to stop for a snack or picnic by the water, and sometimes there’s something going on at Chester Community Park, which is right at the trailhead. You can also swing by the nearby Rec Building—there’s usually a game of ping pong or cornhole set up, which makes it a fun little outing for everyone.

Visit the Olsen Barn Meadow at Sunset
At the eastern edge of Chester, where the forest gives way to open sky, you’ll find a wide meadow brushed with wild grasses and the silhouette of the Olsen Barn—a towering wooden structure that feels frozen in time.

Built sometime between 1860 and 1880 by Norwegian barn builder Peter Olsen, this structure wasn’t just made for function—it was made to last. Olsen established a dairy here in what was then called Big Meadows, and needed a barn large enough to shelter cattle through Sierra winters and store massive amounts of hay. Over a century later, that same barn still stands—making it one of the oldest surviving barns in all of Northern California.

Thanks to a passionate local movement and the efforts of the Feather River Land Trust, the barn and surrounding meadow were saved from private development in 2015. Today, the land trust manages the 107-acre property, which includes parking, walking trails, and educational signage. The barn’s foundation has been restored, and the structure continues to be a symbol of community pride and rural heritage.

For families, it’s a must-visit—especially at golden hour, when the light hits the wood just right and the meadow glows with peace. Kids can run through the grass, look for owls nesting in the rafters, or just lay on a blanket and stare up at the endless sky. In winter, it becomes a snow-draped wonderland perfect for snowshoeing.

Whether you come for the history, the views, or the quiet—it’s a place that stays with you.

For families interested in birding this is a special area that offers many species, one being the indigenous Grebes.

Hit the Museums
Chester has a surprising mix of history and community events—from the Collins Pine Museum (focused on forestry and sustainability) and the Chester Library Museum to the craft fairs, fish fry and taco night at the Elks Lodge, live music at the Elegant Farmer and Lassen Club, the Timber House brewery – there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy and love about Chester.

 Where to Stay in Chester

Indian Valley: Off-the Beaten Path, Quiet Roads, and Big-Hearted Community

Driving into Indian Valley feels like entering a living postcard. Green pastures stretch beneath the rugged slopes of the mountains, and red barns dot the countryside like freckles on a wide smile. Indian Valley isn’t just one town; it’s a patchwork of places: Greenville, Taylorsville, Crescent Mills, and Genesee Valley, each with their own charm, stitched together by quiet country roads and a community that feels like one big family.

Greenville is still healing after the Dixie Fire, but the spirit here is stronger than ever. There’s a deep sense of place, a rhythm tied to the land, and when you’re here, you’re part of it. No such thing as a stranger.

What to Do With Your Family in Indian Valley

Step Back in Time at the Indian Valley Museum (Taylorsville)
Housed in a quaint, whitewashed schoolhouse, this museum is packed with hands-on exhibits about Maidu heritage, pioneer life, and Gold Rush tales. Kids can touch old farming tools, see logging equipment, and imagine life in the valley 100 years ago.

Cruise the Barn Quilt Tour and Scenic Loop
Grab a map and take a slow drive around the valley. Along the way, you’ll spot vibrant, hand-painted barn quilts on barns, sheds, and fences. It’s like a treasure hunt of local folk art—and you’ll pass horses, hayfields, and happy cows along the way.

Celebrate Small-Town Spirit at the Silver Buckle Rodeo
Held each July in Taylorsville, this event is pure Americana—parades, fair food, horses, and kids cheering on mutton-bustin’. Bring the family and you’ll leave feeling like you belong.

Take a Picnic to Genesee Valley
This corner of the valley is less developed and more serene. Set up a picnic by the creek, dip your toes in the water, and listen to the wind in the cottonwoods. It’s unplugged bliss.

Round Valley Reservoir
Tucked just outside Greenville, Round Valley Reservoir is a peaceful spot that feels like a secret. The calm, tree-lined shoreline is perfect for families—great for teaching kids to fish or just laying out a picnic and skipping rocks. You’ll usually find a few kayaks or float tubes gliding by, but the vibe stays quiet and relaxed. There’s a small boat launch, basic picnic areas, and plenty of space to just breathe and take in the view.

Antelope Lake
A bit farther out, but totally worth the drive, Antelope Lake offers wide-open views, cool mountain air, and a sense of total escape. Surrounded by forested hills, it’s a favorite for camping, paddling, and swimming on hot summer days. The shoreline is scattered with quiet coves and inlets, which are perfect for families who want their own little slice of lake to explore. It feels remote—in the best way—and the night sky here is unreal once the sun goes down.

Where to Stay Near Indian Valley

Quincy: Culture, Trails, and That Storybook Main Street Feel

Quincy feels like it was plucked from a small-town novel. Brick buildings, old-fashioned lamp posts, vibrant murals, and music spilling out of cafés—it’s part arts hub, part nature basecamp. You’ll find creativity here, but also quiet trails, clean rivers, and meadows full of wildflowers just minutes from town.

For families, Quincy is that rare combo of convenient and captivating. 

What to Do With Your Family in Quincy

Tour Downtown’s Murals, Museums, and Market Days
Start at the Plumas County Museum, then pick up a walking tour map and stroll past turn-of-the-century buildings, public art, and quirky shops. During summer, don’t miss the Farmers Market every other Wednesday with produce and kid-friendly treats. 

Play and Picnic Along the Feather River
Just a few blocks from Quincy’s historic downtown, Gansner Park feels like a tucked-away family oasis. Shaded by tall trees and nestled along a gentle bend of the Feather River, it’s a go-to spot for locals and a hidden gem for visitors.

Kids can climb, swing, and run on the playground while parents relax on shaded benches nearby. The park has picnic tables, wide grassy areas perfect for tossing a Frisbee, and direct access to the river—ideal for dipping toes in on hot summer afternoons. Families often set up picnic blankets along the bank and spend hours just watching the current roll by.

On warm days, you might see teens jumping into the water, toddlers stacking river rocks, and grandparents reading a book beneath the cottonwoods. It’s the kind of timeless scene that reminds you why simpler is often better.

Bring a picnic, pack a swimsuit, and plan to stay longer than you expected—it’s just that peaceful.

Walk the Leonhardt Ranch Trail
Tucked on the edge of Quincy’s American Valley, the Leonhardt Ranch Nature Trail is a gentle loop that feels more like a nature lesson wrapped in a walk. It winds through wide-open meadows, native grasslands, and along seasonal wetlands—all part of a working conservation ranch protected by the Feather River Land Trust.

Kids will love spotting birds, butterflies, and wildflowers as they walk, and the interpretive signs along the way turn the experience into a scavenger hunt of sorts: Why do meadowlarks nest here? What’s that plant with the yellow blooms? Why does the soil smell so sweet after rain?

The trail is short—just under a mile—but the views are expansive. With big skies overhead and the ridges of the Sierra Valley in the distance, you’ll feel both grounded and free.

It’s stroller-friendly, quiet, and perfect for families who want a low-key, high-reward way to connect with nature.

Day Trip to Bucks Lake
A 30-minute drive west from Quincy winds you up into the mountains, through stands of evergreens and into the cool air above 5,000 feet—where you’ll find Bucks Lake, one of Plumas County’s most beloved summer escapes. 

This high-elevation lake is framed by dense forests and dotted with quiet coves, perfect for swimming, fishing, paddleboarding, or just floating the day away. It’s one of those rare places where you can pull your car right up to the shore, unpack your picnic, and enjoy it for hours. 

Families love the Mill Creek and Sandy Point day use areas, which are free, and offer calm water for littles, shade for resting, and picnic tables with unbeatable views. Adventurous kids can rent kayaks or paddleboards at the marina, while others may just want to build driftwood forts and dig their toes into the sand.

Surrounding the lake are trails, hidden meadows, and campgrounds, so whether you come for a few hours or a full weekend, there’s always more to explore.Catch a Show at the Town Hall Theatre
Check the schedule for family films or live performances. This lovingly restored local theater brings small-town cinema charm to life.

Where To Stay in Quincy

Belden: Where the River Sings and the Stars Feel Close Enough to Touch

Hidden in the dramatic folds of the Feather River Canyon, Belden is a place people find when they want to disappear into nature—but not too far. The canyon walls rise steeply on both sides, wrapping you in granite and green. The river rushes through like a constant lullaby, and trains snake through the cliffs overhead in a slow, magical rhythm.

Belden has no cell service and no distractions. For families, it’s a rare chance to truly be together.

What to Do With Your Family in Belden

Hike Part of the Pacific Crest Trail
Even just a mile or two on this legendary trail offers incredible views of the river, bridges, and cliffs. It’s well-maintained and close to Belden Town.

Rich Bar
Just down the canyon from Belden, Rich Bar is a quiet, blink-and-you-miss-it spot along Highway 70, but it’s packed with history. Once a bustling Gold Rush mining town, today it’s a peaceful stretch of river and forest where families can stop to explore the beauty of the Feather River Canyon. There’s no official “town” anymore, but the area offers great access for fishing, picnicking, or simply pulling over to take in the view. The river runs clear here, and in the summer months it’s not uncommon to see folks wading, swimming, or panning for gold just like they did in the 1850s—only with a lot more sunscreen.

Swim and Wade in the Feather River
The shallow banks near Belden are ideal for supervised water play—safe wading for kids, deeper pools for teens, and plenty of rock-skipping opportunities.

Stargaze Like You’ve Never Seen Before
With no light pollution, Belden’s skies are astonishing. Lay on a blanket and watch the Milky Way stretch across the canyon sky. It’s a memory you’ll talk about forever.

Watch the Trains from the Bridge
The bridge at Belden offers a perfect vantage point for watching freight trains roll through the canyon—a huge hit with kids and parents alike.

Don’t Miss July Events

Fourth of July Fireworks over Lake Almanor (July 4, 2025)

Every July 4th at 9 pm, Lake Almanor lights up with a breathtaking fireworks show—a local tradition now over 25 years old . The explosion of color reflects on the water, best seen from a boat near the Peninsula or from the shore. Bring blankets, gather family, and celebrate under the stars—kids floating nearby, oohs and ahhs echoing across the lake. Donations by locals, through the Almanor Foundation, help keep this yearly spectacle blazing. 

High Sierra Music Festival (July 3–6, 2025)

At the Plumas‑Sierra County Fairgrounds in Quincy, the beloved High Sierra Music Festival returns for a soulful weekend of music and connection. Kid zones keep the little ones entertained while you groove, late-night sets carry on under the stars, and pop-up yoga classes, colorful parades, and handmade art booths make every corner of the fairgrounds buzz with life. Whether you’re tent camping, rolling in with an RV, or staying in a themed glamping tent from “Happy Glamper,” it’s part music festival, part mountain getaway—and all magic.

Fun, free-spirited, and wildly welcoming, High Sierra is like NorCal’s own version of Coachella—only cooler, greener, and with a river nearby to jump in when it gets hot. If you only come to Plumas County once this summer… this is the weekend to do it.

Plumas‑Sierra County Fair (July 24–27, 2025)

Summer slides into late July with the County Fair in Quincy—a beloved hometown tradition featuring carnival rides, livestock shows, 4‑H activities, live music, and deep-fried everything. It’s a slice of local life and flavors, perfect for families wanting to sample the best community spirit Plumas County has to offer.

Junior Rodeo in Taylorsville (July 18–19, 2025)

Rooted in ranch-country tradition, the Taylorsville Junior Rodeo brings a dose of country-clad energy mid-July. Pee-Wee barrel races, flag-bearing calf runs, and learned riding push local kids to greatness while visitors cheer. It’s an intimate, joyful celebration of ranch life in the beautiful Indian Valley. Your family will remember this event forever if you are lucky enough to get the chance to join. 

Visit https://plumascounty.org/things-to-do/events/ for all of the must see events this summer. 

The Joy Is in the Simplicity: Visit Plumas County This Summer

In Plumas County, the joy doesn’t come from big-ticket attractions—it comes from simple pleasures: roasting marshmallows under the stars, hiking to a quiet overlook, watching your child discover a pinecone or spotting a hawk in flight. 

This is a place where you trade screen time for stargazing. Where mornings start with birdsong, not alarm clocks. And where family feels more like family again.

Come experience it for yourself. Your escape is waiting.