Explore Natural Beauty in UpState CA

Plumas County Fall Colors

Plumas County foliage explodes with color in the autumn season. There are two approaches for the best viewing: 1) drive to Truckee on I-80, then north on CA-89/CA-70 to Quincy. There will be spots of color along the road. Greenhorn Creek parallels the road. As you approach East Quincy, the La Porte Road is often cited as a location where good color is found. Follow the La Porte Road south to Nelson Creek where good…

Shasta Dam/Shasta Lake Scenic Byway

This byway is just seven miles north of Redding off of Interstate 5. It runs through the City of Shasta Lake which has all services. The byway begins at Shasta Dam Blvd. and Lake Blvd, and continues west to a vista point that affords the traveler a stunning view of the three Shastas, Shasta Dam, (tallest center overflow dam in the world), Shasta Lake, (California’s largest lake), and Mt. Shasta (14,179 feet). Many activities are available…

Smith River Scenic Byway

This scenic byway follows the Smith River, which is considered one of the crown jewels of the National Wild & Scenic River System. As the byway climbs away from the coast, it enters the Smith River Canyon. In a surprisingly small space, the National Recreation Area has seven distinctive plant communities. You’ll pass from a coastal redwood forest to old growth stands of Douglas fir to dense chaparral. The river has more than 175 miles…

State of Jefferson Scenic Byway

The State of Jefferson Scenic Byway derives its name from an early 1940’s movement to create the 49th state. The original purpose of this movement was to draw attention to the need for good roads in far Northern California and Southern Oregon. In 1941, locals blockaded Highway 96 and declared Jefferson to be its own state. Many believed that Jefferson would have become the 49th state in the Union had the bombing in Pearl Harbor…

Surprise Valley/Barrel Springs Back Country Byway

In the northeastern corner of California the Warner Mountains rise in a near solid wall to an elevation of almost 10,000 feet. Crossing over these mountains at Cedar Valley, you will enter a totally different world. Explorer John Freeman named it “the Great Basin”, the land where none of the rivers run to the sea. The Surprise Valley/Barrel Springs Back Country Byway is through this remote and rugged area. The byway provides an opportunity for those…

Susanville Ranch Park

27 miles of trails in Susanville's backyard! 1,100 acre property owned and managed by Lassen County Public Works and BLM as a shared-use recreation area. Hiking, running, cycling, horseback riding, picnicking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. 

Trinity Alps Wilderness

The second largest wilderness area in California, the Trinity Alps Wilderness nearly doubled in size by the 1984 California Wilderness Act.  In that same year, it was added to the National Wilderness Preservation System.  It currently has over 600 miles of trails and embraces over 500,000 acres of land.Chiseled granite peaks and alpine lakes dot the Trinity Alps Wilderness, with elevations from 2,000 feet in creek drainages to 9,000 feet at summits. This wilderness offers…

Trinity Heritage Scenic Byway

Water is never far away from the Trinity Heritage Scenic Byway. The route includes Lewiston Lake, Trinity Lake, the Trinity River, and numerous sparkling streams in far Northern California. You will be driving through some of the most beautiful and rugged portions of Trinity and Siskiyou County. Much of the route follows the path of 19th century gold miners and settlers, and offers scenic views of mountainsides, jagged cliffs, and dramatic vistas. The natural place…

Trinity River Scenic Byway

This scenic byway may offer some of the most diverse scenery, botanical variety, wildlife and climatic zones of any drive in far Northern California. The route encompasses from the dryer, warmer Sacramento River Valley to the cool, often foggy Redwood Coast. It features a variety of cultural and historical glimpses of the gold mining, timber, and Native American history along the byway. Starting in Redding, Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Museum provides a great way…

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Tule Lake Refuge is located in the fertile and intensely farmed Tule Lake Basin of northeastern California. It was established in 1928 by President Calvin Coolidge as a, “preserve and breeding ground for wild birds and animals.”  The endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers live in or use this refuge. The refuge is a significant staging area for migrating waterfowl during spring and fall migrations. It is used primarily by whitefronted, snow, ross, and cackling…