Plumas National Forest

Situated in the Sierra Nevada, and occupying 1,146,00 acres of scenic mountain lands, just south of the Cascade Range, the Plumas is versatile in its land features, uncrowded, and enhanced by a pleasant climate. Outdoor enthusiasts are attracted year round to its many streams and lakes, beautiful deep canyons, rich mountain valleys, meadows, and lofty peaks.

Areas of Interest:

• Feather River Country

• The land we know as the Plumas National Forest has been used by humans for at least 8,000 years. It was the homeland of the Mountain and Konkow Maidu Indians. Washo and Paiute also lived along the forest's current eastern boundaries. The ruggedness of the area discouraged exploration until the Gold Rush. Spanish exploration in the early 1800's was limited to the Sacramento Valley. The Hudson Bay Fur Company, however, had entered the Plumas Region by the early 1830's.

• Gold miners spread into the area by 1850. Although Indians had known about the Sierra's lowest pass for centuries, James Beckwourth, an African American mountain man, did not formally "discover" it until 1851. Immigrants and miners soon began moving through the pass and into the area. Gold camps and towns sprang up almost overnight as miners searched for that elusive metal.

• A favorite winter activity of miners was competitive skiing on 12 to 14 foot "longboards" or "snowshoes", the name first given to skis. Beginning around the gold towns of Johnsville, La Porte and Onion Valley, these activities are now documented as the first competitive skiing events in the world.

• While mining brought the people into the area, supporting industries allowed them to remain. As the gold fields began to play out, timber and agriculture became the mainstay of the economy. Realizing the importance of the area's forests as a national resource, President Theodore Roosevelt established the Plumas National Forest in March 1905. Its boundaries roughly encompass areas surrounding the branches of the Feather River. Managing this land to provide diverse products such as sustainable timber supplies, wildlife habitat and amenities such as recreation remains central to the Forest Service's multiple use mission.

• The Feather River

• The Middle Fork of the Feather River was one of the first nationally designated wild and scenic rivers. The river runs from its headwaters near Beckwourth to Lake Oroville, and has three zones: recreation, scenic, and wild. Any part of the river in this canyon may be rugged and difficult to access. In the wild zone, precipitous cliffs, waterfalls, and huge boulders discourage most people trying to float or hike. While the scenic zones are less rugged, they still require great preparation and caution.

• Feather River National Scenic Byway

• The Feather River Scenic Byway is a treasure awaiting discovery. Start at the west end and you'll find Lake Oroville, a jewel set in golden hills. Follow Highway 70 up the Feather River Canyon and make discoveries at each curve of the highway. The canyon is an awesome gorge carved by the river through granite, into conifer trees, and high mountain meadows. The human additions of highway, railroad and powerhouses are beautiful feats of engineering in their own right. At the east end of the Byway, the route winds through the Sierra Valley, the western edge of the Great Basin.

• This 130-mile route features incomparable natural beauty and diversity in terrain, landscape, wildlife habitat, and human usefulness. It is known as an all-weather route because of its relatively low elevation, allowing it to be used all year round. Each season provides a unique view of the route.

• Spring

• Nearly 100 waterfalls

• Brilliant wildflowers

• Brightly colored boats of kayakers riding the whitewater.

• Summer

• Sun sparkled river

• Swimmers

• Fishing enthusiasts

• Gold miners enjoying the cool water.

• Autumn

• Beautiful fall colors along the steep mountain slopes

• Spectacular views

• Winter

• The river rushes and the snow-capped mountains contrast sharply with the granite and slate at river level.

Come enjoy this incredible forest with an America Outdoors outfitter, who offer tours and treks, whitewater rafting and kayaking, educational programs and winter sports in the Plumas National Forest!