The Olsen Barn is a Plumas County Historic Landmark and one of the most photographed places in Plumas County, for good reason. The impressively-large old barn sits in a beautiful meadow near the North Fork of the Feather River with views of Lassen Peak. This protected preserve is a local favorite for walking, birding, picnicking, fishing, and cross country skiing. The public is welcome to enjoy a stroll to the barn and beyond all year round.
Photo by Jake Edwards/Scenescapery
Photo by Jake Edwards/Scenescapery
Photo by Feather River Land Trust
Photo by Feather River Land Trust
The Big Barn in Chester
The exact age of the Olsen Barn is not known, but it was likely built between 1860 and 1880 when a Norwegian barn builder, Peter Olsen, settled in “Big Meadows” (Chester) and established a dairy. The barn was built big for its time to over-winter cattle and store large amounts of hay.
Today, the Olsen Barn is one of the oldest standing barns in Northern California and is a testament to Peter Olsen’s barn building skills.
In 2015, in response to local concern about the sale of the Olsen Barn property, the Feather River Land Trust organized a campaign to “Save the Olsen Barn” and purchase it for permanent protection. The land trust now owns and manages the property and has built a parking area and completed several phases of barn restoration including a new foundation. The Olsen Barn is an important part of community life in Chester.
Photo by Feather River Land Trust
Photo by Jake Edwards/Scenescapery
Public Access
Public access to the Olsen Barn and surrounding preserve is open year-round, sunrise to sunset. The property is located just east of downtown Chester on the corner of Melissa Street and Highway 36. Look for a large “ranch-style” sign and gravel parking area. In the winter, when there is snow, the lot is plowed for ski and snowshoe access. The park-preserve has minimal infrastructure so bring water, binoculars, and a backpack. There are no bathrooms at this time.
Photo by Vanessa Vasquez
Photo by Vanessa Vasquez
The Olsen Barn Meadow property offers access to the Feather RiverA “Picnic-Perfect” Day Trip
A visit to the Olsen Barn makes for a lovely day trip when exploring Lake Almanor, Lassen Volcanic National Park, downtown Chester, and other places in Northwestern Plumas. A stroll to the barn from the parking area is about ¼ mile with longer walks available on the rail-trail along the Feather River.
There are a few benches on the property to enjoy a snack, or bring a blanket for a leisurely picnic. Fall color is especially nice at the property as there are large cottonwoods and willows on the banks of the Feather River and the meadow turns golden-brown.
If you want to dive deeper into the history of the Olsen Barn era, the Chester-Lake Almanor Museum and the Collins Pine Museums are nearby and are open spring through fall.
