Unwinding in Plumas County
I always thought of Wisconsin as the Land of Lakes, but maybe that’s because a town called Land O’ Lakes is located there. And let’s not forget Minnesota, which calls itself “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
California’s Plumas County, in the northeastern corner of the state, doesn’t make such claims. But thousands of summer visitors think of it as their land of lakes. From Lake Almanor, one of the largest artificial lakes in the state, to dozens of small mountaintop lakes and ponds in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area, Plumas County offers bountiful summer recreation.
I spent a few days getting acquainted with this happy little slice of California during a recent trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park, which borders the county. Plumas offers the park’s clos- est accommodations, but it’s well worth a visit on its own.
More than 75% of the county’s 2,058 square miles is national forest. There are plenty of trails to hike, lakes to swim or fish in, and campgrounds where you can pitch a tent. The Sierra Buttes, jagged peaks that have been compared to the Swiss Alps, rise impressively over the Lakes Basin, adding drama to the panorama.
Some of the county’s towns, such as Quincy, have preserved their older areas, turning historic buildings into museums and hotels. Others, such as Graeagle, have boutiques and other small shops that make shopping interesting.
With only three stoplights and a low-key lifestyle, Plumas County might make you forget the big city.