# Dam, rock canyon and mountain lakes – by camper along the Feather River Scenic Byway into Plumas County > From Oroville through the Feather River Canyon to Quincy, on to Bucks Lake and Lake Almanor, into the Lakes Basin and via Portola to the Sierra Valley… Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-498-california-feather-river-plumas/ **At a glance:** 8-day road trip of about 495 km (308 mi) with 14 stops, from Sacramento to Sierraville. About 5 h 30 min of driving in total. Best time to go: April–May and September–October. No toll roads expected for a car. From Oroville through the Feather River Canyon to Quincy, on to Bucks Lake and Lake Almanor, into the Lakes Basin and via Portola to the Sierra Valley: around 750 kilometres of Northern California between railway history, fire scars and clear mountain lakes. | | | |---|---| | Distance | approx. 495 km (308 mi) | | Driving | 5 h 30 min | | Suggested days | 8 | | Stops | 14 | | Route | Sacramento → Sierraville | | States | CA | | Best time to go | April–May and September–October | | Tolls and vignettes | None expected | | Updated | October 1, 2026 | [Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-498-california-feather-river-plumas.gpx) Practical guides for this route: [Driving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-driving-rules-visitors/), [Fuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-fuel-tolls-distances/), [US national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-national-park-passes/) *From Oroville through the Feather River Canyon to Quincy, on to Bucks Lake and Lake Almanor, into the Lakes Basin and via Portola to the Sierra Valley: around 750 kilometres of Northern California between railway history, fire scars and clear mountain lakes.* ## The spirit of the route The Feather River is the river California tamed with concrete, and at the same time one of the wildest canyons of the northern Sierra Nevada. Beyond the tallest dam in the USA, Highway 70 winds alongside the North Fork through granite, beneath railway bridges and through short tunnels blasted out of the rock. Union Pacific freight trains roll along the opposite bank, and hydroelectric powerhouses stand in the valley like steps on a staircase. The slopes tell of the fires of recent years: grey trunks with fresh green beneath them. Higher up, the land opens into meadows, pine forest and lakes in which Lassen Peak and the Sierra Buttes are reflected. From the sliding door you see mule deer at the forest edge in the morning and ospreys over Bucks Lake in the evening, and at night you hear only the wind in the ponderosa pines and, now and then, the long whistle of a train. ## Stage-by-stage plan ### Stage 1: Sacramento to Oroville (approx. 115 km) - **The drive:** Sacramento is just the starting point: CA-99 and CA-70 take you north for around 1.5 hours through the flat Sacramento Valley, past rice fields and walnut and prune orchards. CA-70 between Marysville and Oroville is partly four-lane, partly still two-lane with no overtaking. In Oroville, leave the highway for the Olive Highway (CA-162) heading east towards the dam and Kelly Ridge. In summer the valley regularly sees temperatures above 38 °C – set off early. Petrol stations and supermarkets in Marysville, Yuba City and Oroville. - **Highlights & must-sees:** - Oroville Dam: at around 235 metres (770 ft) the tallest dam in the USA, an earthfill dam whose crest you can drive across. The spillway was completely rebuilt after it was damaged in February 2017, when around 188,000 people downstream had to be evacuated. - Lake Oroville Visitor Center on Kelly Ridge: an exhibition on the dam, the State Water Project and hydropower, plus a viewing tower overlooking the reservoir and dam. Check opening times beforehand. - Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville: in autumn, Chinook salmon climb the fish ladder, and you can watch them through an underwater window. Next to it are the footbridge over the river and the 19th-century Oroville Chinese Temple. - **Official campsite or RV park:** Lake Oroville State Recreation Area: Loafer Creek Campground in oak and pine woodland on the Olive Highway, sites without hookups, shower block. Bidwell Canyon Campground near the marina has sites with water, electric and sewer hookups, but is tighter and busier. Book both via ReserveCalifornia; check length limits when booking. Because of construction work on the dam, some facilities at the lake are closed at times – ask at the Visitor Center for the current situation. - **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** There is no public land for dispersed camping in the Sacramento Valley or around Oroville; car parks at the dam and the boat ramps are closed at night. Overnight stays on campgrounds only. - **Insider tip for campers:** The reservoir level fluctuates by dozens of metres: in late summer the boat ramps sit high and dry and the shores show bands of red earth. For your day at the dam, start early and take a midday break in the shade of the campground. Do your last big shop in Oroville – the choice in the canyon is minimal. ### Stage 2: Oroville to Feather Falls Trailhead (round trip) (approx. 95 km) - **The drive:** From Lake Oroville head east on the Olive Highway, then take Forbestown Road and Lumpkin Road into the foothills; the last few kilometres to the trailhead are a narrow, winding forest road. Driving time around an hour each way. Lumpkin Road is paved but narrow and patched in places where it crosses burn areas – long motorhomes and rigs should drive slowly, and trailers are best left at the campground. Return the same way. No petrol station en route. - **Highlights & must-sees:** - Feather Falls: Fall Creek plunges around 125 metres (410 ft) into a granite gorge – one of the highest waterfalls in California. After years of closure following the North Complex Fire (2020) and the Dixie Fire (2021), the trail has been open again since 2025, with new bridges, railings and viewing platforms; the round trip is around 13 kilometres (8.3 miles) with noticeable ups and downs. The waterfall is at its most powerful in spring. - Viewing platform above the falls: it hangs right over the edge with views into the Middle Fork Feather River Canyon. Hold children by the hand – the railing is the only safeguard. - Burned landscape: much of the trail runs through burned forest with little shade; it is a good place to see how oaks and shrubs return after fire. - **Official campsite or RV park:** Back to Loafer Creek or Bidwell Canyon Campground at Lake Oroville. If you want more peace and quiet at Lake Oroville, book Lime Saddle Campground on the West Branch, north of Oroville on CA-70, with some full-hookup sites and a dump station; also via ReserveCalifornia. - **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Dispersed camping is generally allowed in Plumas National Forest unless a closure is in force; in the Feather Falls area, however, overnight stays at the trailhead are not intended, and wildfire closure areas must be respected. Check current Forest Orders on the Plumas National Forest website. - **Insider tip for campers:** Take at least three litres of water per person and hike in the cool season or very early in the morning; the way back is uphill and into the sun. There is no drinking water at the trailhead; check with Plumas National Forest beforehand whether the toilets are open following the reconstruction work. Mobile coverage there is unreliable. ### Stage 3: Oroville to Belden (approx. 95 km) - **The drive:** Now the Feather River Scenic Byway begins: CA-70 climbs from Oroville over Jarbo Gap and then dives into the canyon of the North Fork, which it barely leaves until the Greenville Wye. The road opened in 1937 and is still a succession of tight bends, some with low advisory speeds, with steep rock walls on one side and the river on the other. Three short tunnels blasted out of the rock (Arch Rock, Grizzly Dome and Elephant Butte) each have one lane per direction and no shoulder; pay attention to height and width signs. Motorhomes and rigs get through, but the bends demand full concentration. Pure driving time around 1.5–2 hours; use turnouts to let traffic pass. No reliable petrol station between Oroville and Quincy. - **Highlights & must-sees:** - Railway and road: the former Western Pacific line (the “Feather River Route”), now Union Pacific, accompanies the highway through the entire canyon. At Pulga the road crosses the lower railway bridge on an arch bridge, and elsewhere track and roadway cross each other on stacked bridges – photo stops only in designated turnouts. - “Stairway of Power”: PG&E’s powerhouses and diversion dams (Poe, Cresta, Rock Creek, Bucks Creek, Belden) are staggered like steps down the valley; Cresta Dam lies near the spot where the Dixie Fire broke out in 2021. - Belden: a small settlement at a bridge over the North Fork; here the Pacific Crest Trail crosses the highway, and in summer you see thru-hikers with big backpacks by the road. - **Official campsite or RV park:** In the canyon there are small Forest Service campgrounds of Plumas National Forest by the river: North Fork Campground and Gansner Bar Campground on Caribou Road, a few kilometres north of CA-70 east of Belden, and Hallsted Campground on CA-70 near Twain; according to the Forest Service they have flush toilets, some have showers, North Fork and Hallsted have a few electric hookups, and North Fork also has a dump station. Drinking water is not available everywhere, and some sites are short. The campgrounds are open only in the summer half of the year; after fires and landslides some were closed at times – check status, facilities and booking options beforehand on recreation.gov or with Plumas National Forest (Mount Hough Ranger District). - **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Overnight stays in turnouts on CA-70 itself are not permitted and, because of rockfall, not advisable either. Away from the highway, on Plumas National Forest roads, dispersed camping is allowed for up to 14 days unless a closure or fire order is in force; many roads are closed or impassable after fires. - **Insider tip for campers:** The canyon is prone to landslides: after heavy rain, thunderstorms over burn areas and snowmelt, CA-70 between Jarbo Gap and the Greenville Wye is repeatedly closed for hours or even weeks. Check Caltrans QuickMap before setting off; there is no short detour – the alternatives are to drive via CA-32 and CA-36 to Chester or via the Oroville-Quincy Highway, which is not passable throughout in winter. Fill up with fuel and water before Oroville. ### Stage 4: Belden to Bucks Lake (via Quincy) (approx. 70 km) - **The drive:** Continue on CA-70 through the upper canyon to the Greenville Wye, where CA-89 branches off to the north, then via Keddie and through the Spanish Creek canyon up into the high valley of Quincy (around 1,050 metres). From there take Bucks Lake Road for around 27 kilometres west, via Meadow Valley, climbing steadily to about 1,570 metres. The road is paved and wide enough, with the last few kilometres winding. Total driving time around 1.5 hours. Petrol stations and supermarkets in Quincy. - **Highlights & must-sees:** - Keddie Wye: a railway wye whose legs stand on tall steel viaducts above Spanish Creek; visible from the road only from a distance – do not enter the private land or the tracks. - Quincy: the county seat of Plumas County, with a 1921 courthouse and wooden houses on Main Street. The Plumas County Museum behind the courthouse displays exhibits on the Maidu, the Gold Rush, the timber industry and the Western Pacific; check seasonal opening times. - Bucks Lake: a reservoir in a bowl of firs and pines below the Bucks Lake Wilderness, with swimming spots, canoeing waters and hiking trails; the Pacific Crest Trail runs along the ridge above the lake. - **Official campsite or RV park:** Bucks Lake has several campgrounds in the forest: Whitehorse Campground (Plumas National Forest) on the approach road, Haskins Valley Campground (PG&E) on the south shore with sites for larger vehicles, plus Lower Bucks, Mill Creek and Sundew on the north shore. Vault toilets or basic facilities, water at most campgrounds, no hookups; season roughly late May to early September, depending on snow. Check booking options in advance, which vary by operator (Forest Service or PG&E); many sites are first come, first served. Showers are available at the Sandy Point Day Use Area. Alternative in Quincy: the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds, which rent out RV sites with hookups outside of events – enquire in advance. - **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On the forest roads around Bucks Lake, dispersed camping is allowed in Plumas National Forest, at least 30 metres from water and outside closed areas. For stoves and fires outside designated sites you need a California Campfire Permit; when fire bans are in force, open flames are prohibited. - **Insider tip for campers:** The Plumas National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Quincy has maps (Motor Vehicle Use Map) and information on closures and fire restrictions. In winter, Bucks Lake Road is closed at Bucks Summit before the lake, and the connection to Oroville stays shut until it is cleared in early summer; snow can fall from autumn onwards. Deer often cross the road at dusk – drive slowly. ### Stage 5: Bucks Lake to Lake Almanor (Chester) (approx. 110 km) - **The drive:** Back to Quincy, on CA-70/89 to the Greenville Wye and then north on CA-89 through Indian Valley; today you only pass through Greenville and visit it tomorrow. Beyond Canyondam, CA-89 reaches the west shore of Lake Almanor and meets CA-36, which leads to Chester at the northern end. Two-lane roads with gentle bends, 45–55 mph. Driving time around 2 hours. Petrol stations in Quincy, Greenville and Chester. - **Highlights & must-sees:** - Lake Almanor: a large PG&E reservoir at around 1,370 metres, with Lassen Peak rising to the north-west. Along the west shore a paved cycling and walking path runs through pine forest with lake views. - Chester: a small town on the north shore with a timber-industry history, shops and a bakery; the gateway to Lassen Volcanic National Park, which the CampingSpirit guide to the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway from Lassen to Crater Lake covers in detail. - Evening light on the west shore: from the beaches of the Almanor campgrounds you see Lassen Peak glowing reddish above the water at sunset. - **Official campsite or RV park:** Almanor Campground of Lassen National Forest on the west shore, in several sections (Almanor North, Almanor South, Almanor Legacy) right by the lake, with water taps and vault toilets, no hookups, season roughly May to October; book via recreation.gov. PG&E runs further campgrounds on the lake, such as Rocky Point Campground. For electricity and a dump station there are private RV parks in Chester and on the east shore. - **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Lassen National Forest around the lake, dispersed camping on forest roads is allowed unless signed otherwise; not, however, directly on the shore, on PG&E land or near residential areas. Keep your distance from water and observe fire orders. - **Insider tip for campers:** In summer a strong wind often blows across the lake in the afternoon – retract awnings. Stock up on supplies and propane in Chester. If you are continuing to Lassen: visitors without US residency pay higher fees for the annual pass and at some national parks – check current amounts on nps.gov. ### Stage 6: Lake Almanor (Chester) to Graeagle (approx. 140 km) - **The drive:** Take CA-36 east and CA-147 south along the east shore of Lake Almanor to Canyondam, then CA-89 back through Indian Valley to Greenville. Continue via Crescent Mills to the Greenville Wye, to Quincy, and on CA-70/89 up the Middle Fork Feather River via Cromberg to Blairsden and Graeagle. Well-maintained two-lane roads, around 2.5 hours of pure driving time. Petrol stations in Chester, Greenville, Quincy and Graeagle/Blairsden. - **Highlights & must-sees:** - Greenville: on 4 August 2021 the Dixie Fire destroyed the historic town centre with its Gold Rush-era buildings, along with many homes. Rebuilding is under way, and new buildings and empty lots stand side by side. If you stop, shop in town, do not photograph private property and respect the fact that people who have lost a great deal live here. - Indian Valley: a wide meadow valley with cattle pastures and barns between wooded slopes; a detour to Taylorsville leads to a small settlement with a museum and a community campground. - Graeagle: a former lumber town with red-painted company buildings and a mill pond where people swim in summer; today a golf and holiday resort on the Middle Fork Feather River. - **Official campsite or RV park:** For the night near Graeagle, Upper Jamison Creek Campground in Plumas-Eureka State Park (see next stage) is a good choice, or, for hookups, one of the private RV parks in Graeagle and Blairsden. In Indian Valley, Taylorsville Community Campground is a simple alternative; check the season and hookups beforehand. - **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Around Greenville and Indian Valley there is a lot of private land; dispersed camping only on designated National Forest land, not on pastures, burned plots or town car parks. - **Insider tip for campers:** In Indian Valley and the Middle Fork valley, mule deer often stand on the road in the morning and evening; wildlife crossings are one of the most common causes of accidents here. At dusk, slow down considerably and watch out for low sun. Fill up and shop in Greenville – every bit of income helps the town. ### Stage 7: Graeagle to Plumas-Eureka State Park (via Lakes Basin) (approx. 55 km) - **The drive:** From CA-89 south of Graeagle turn onto the Gold Lake Highway, a narrow, paved mountain road that runs through the Lakes Basin Recreation Area to CA-49 at Bassetts; it is not ploughed in winter and, depending on snow, usually only opens in late spring. From Gold Lake it climbs to around 2,000 metres. Plan the day as an out-and-back from Graeagle, then take County Road A14 to Johnsville. Pure driving time around 1.5 hours, a full day with hikes. - **Highlights & must-sees:** - Frazier Falls: a waterfall around 54 metres high, reached via the narrow Frazier Falls Road (off the Gold Lake Highway, unsuitable for large motorhomes) and a short, largely step-free path to the viewpoint; at its most powerful in early summer. - Lakes Basin: Gold Lake, Long Lake, Grassy Lake and dozens of smaller cirque lakes between granite and red firs; from the car park at Lakes Basin Campground, trails lead to several lakes within an hour. At the southern end, the jagged Sierra Buttes are reflected in the Sardine Lakes. - Plumas-Eureka State Park and Johnsville: the mining site of the Plumas-Eureka Mine with a stamp mill, a museum in the former miners’ boarding house and ruins on the slope of Eureka Peak. As early as the 19th century, miners in the area raced on long wooden skis (longboards) – one of the earliest chapters of skiing history in North America. - **Official campsite or RV park:** Upper Jamison Creek Campground in Plumas-Eureka State Park: forest sites by Jamison Creek, water, shower block, no hookups, season roughly late May to autumn; book via ReserveCalifornia, mind the length limit. In the Lakes Basin there are Forest Service campgrounds such as Lakes Basin Campground, Gold Lake, Salmon Creek and Sardine Lake – some bookable via recreation.gov, sites often short and uneven. - **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Plumas and Tahoe National Forests, forest roads away from the Gold Lake Highway are permitted for dispersed camping unless closed; within the Lakes Basin Recreation Area and in the state park, overnight stays are allowed on campgrounds only. - **Insider tip for campers:** Black bears are active in the Lakes Basin: never leave food, cool boxes or rubbish outside, use bear boxes where available, and keep windows closed at night if there is food in the vehicle. Mosquitoes are plentiful in early summer. With a large vehicle, skip Frazier Falls Road and instead hike from the Gold Lake Highway up the trail via Gold Lake. ### Stage 8: Plumas-Eureka State Park to Sierraville (Sierra Valley) (approx. 75 km) - **The drive:** Take the A14 back to Graeagle, then CA-70 up the Middle Fork to Portola and on to Beckwourth. There, take County Road A23 south across the Sierra Valley to Sierraville. The valley lies at around 1,500 metres and is one of the largest high mountain valleys in the Sierra Nevada: flat and open, with pastures, wet meadows and barns. Driving time around 1.5 hours. Petrol stations in Graeagle, Portola and Loyalton. - **Highlights & must-sees:** - Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola: around 30 locomotives and many cars of the Western Pacific and other railways in the former 1953 Western Pacific diesel shop and on the outdoor grounds, run by volunteers of the Feather River Rail Society; one programme lets you drive a diesel locomotive yourself under supervision. Check the season and opening times beforehand. - Sierra Valley: wet meadows and ditches with sandhill cranes, white-faced ibises and birds of prey; the best viewing is from the roadsides of the A23 and A24. To the west stand the Sierra Buttes, to the east is the transition to the Great Basin at Beckwourth Pass. - Sierraville: a tiny settlement at the junction of CA-89 and CA-49. From here CA-49 leads over Yuba Pass to Sierra City and Downieville, where the CampingSpirit guide to Highway 49 through the Gold Country picks up; to the south, CA-89 heads towards Truckee and the guide to the Lake Tahoe area. - **Official campsite or RV park:** Cottonwood Creek Campground and Cold Creek Campground of Tahoe National Forest lie on CA-89 south of Sierraville in pine forest; basic facilities with water and vault toilets, no hookups. Higher up: Yuba Pass Campground on CA-49 at the top of the pass, often not free of snow until early summer. Some bookable via recreation.gov, otherwise first come, first served. - **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The Sierra Valley is almost entirely privately owned; parking overnight on farm tracks or pasture entrances is not allowed. Dispersed camping is possible in Tahoe National Forest west and south of Sierraville on open forest roads. - **Insider tip for campers:** There is hardly any shade in the Sierra Valley, and in the evening it gets very cold even in summer – you will need heating or a warm sleeping bag. Fill up with fuel and water in Portola. For the onward drive to Downieville: CA-49 west of Yuba Pass is winding and narrow; allow extra time with long vehicles. ## Camping practice & local rules ### Wild camping & overnight parking - There is no statewide ban on sleeping in your vehicle in California, but cities and counties can prohibit it on streets and in car parks. The only reliably legal place to stay overnight is a campground; at Caltrans rest areas the length of stay is limited and camping is not allowed. - Dispersed camping in Plumas, Lassen and Tahoe National Forests is generally allowed for up to 14 days in one place unless a closure is in force. After the fires of 2020 and 2021, some areas and forest roads remain closed; check the Motor Vehicle Use Maps and current Forest Orders beforehand. - Fire: outside designated campgrounds you need the free California Campfire Permit (online) for stoves and campfires. Fire bans apply during fire season, and during Red Flag Warnings open flames are prohibited even at some campgrounds. - Reservations: state park campgrounds (Lake Oroville, Plumas-Eureka) via ReserveCalifornia, Forest Service campgrounds via recreation.gov; for PG&E campgrounds, check the booking options for each one. Many small Forest Service campgrounds allocate some of their sites on a first-come, first-served basis. - Bears: black bears are found along the entire route, especially at Bucks Lake, in the Lakes Basin and at Lake Almanor. Store food, toiletries and rubbish in a hard-sided vehicle or in bear boxes, never in a tent or out on the table; the forests’ bear regulations are binding. - Apps: iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt and Recreation.gov; Park4Night is not widely used here. Save maps offline in the canyon and the mountains – there is no signal for long stretches. ### Waste disposal & supplies - Dump stations: Lime Saddle at Lake Oroville (ask locally about others at the lake), North Fork Campground in the canyon, Upper Jamison Creek in Plumas-Eureka State Park (check beforehand), and private RV parks in Oroville, Quincy, Chester, Graeagle and Portola. Most Forest Service campgrounds have none. - Drinking water: from taps at most campgrounds; some Forest Service campgrounds turn the water off in autumn or have no water after fires. In the canyon between Oroville and Quincy there is no reliable filling point. - Empty grey water and chemical toilets only at dump stations; draining on forest roads or near water is prohibited. - Propane: petrol stations, DIY stores and RV parks in Oroville, Quincy, Chester and Portola fill US cylinders; European cylinders are generally not filled. - Electricity: hookups at Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle, and a few sites at North Fork and Hallsted in the canyon; the other state and Forest Service campgrounds have no electricity. Generators only during the posted hours. - Fuel and shopping: Oroville, Quincy, Greenville, Chester, Graeagle/Blairsden, Portola and Loyalton. Between Oroville and Quincy, do not count on finding an open petrol station in the canyon. ### Vehicle size & traffic rules - Speed limits: mostly 55 mph (88 km/h) on rural roads, with considerably lower posted advisory speeds on the tight bends of the canyon. In California, vehicles towing a trailer may not exceed 55 mph on any road. - On two-lane roads, slow vehicles must pull into the next turnout as soon as five or more vehicles are queuing behind them – especially important on CA-70 in the canyon, on CA-89 and on the Gold Lake Highway. - Dimensions: single vehicles up to 40 ft (12.2 m), combinations up to 65 ft (19.8 m) overall length. The tunnels and bends of CA-70 in the canyon require concentration with large motorhomes. Frazier Falls Road, Lumpkin Road and many forest roads are unsuitable for large vehicles. - Snow and chains: from November to April there may be snow on CA-70 above the canyon, on CA-89 and in the Sierra Valley. Caltrans imposes chain controls in levels (R1 to R3); even four-wheel-drive vehicles with winter tyres must carry chains. Bucks Lake Road is closed before the lake in winter, and the Gold Lake Highway is not ploughed. - Wildfire season and closures: from early summer until the first autumn rain the fire risk is high; during fires, CA-70, CA-89 and forest roads are closed at short notice, evacuations are ordered and campgrounds are cleared. Smoke can severely degrade air quality for days. Check the situation daily via Caltrans QuickMap, Cal Fire, the Forest Service websites and Plumas County emergency alerts. - Rockfall and landslides: on the burn areas in the Feather River Canyon, thunderstorms and prolonged rain trigger debris flows; closures of CA-70 can last for days. Do not stay overnight in the canyon during heavy rain. - Wildlife: mule deer stand on the road, especially at dusk. There are no tolls or low-emission zones on the route; hands-free phone use only while driving. Emergency: 911. ## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist - Snow chains in the right size: in California they must be carried when chain controls are in force, and in spring as well as autumn snow can fall on CA-70, CA-89 and in the Sierra Valley. - Odour-proof bags and a lockable box for food: bears at Bucks Lake and in the Lakes Basin will find anything left outside or in open vehicles. - FFP2 masks and a small 12 V air purifier: during wildfires in the region, smoke drifts through the canyon and valleys for days. - Satellite communicator or emergency beacon: in the Feather River Canyon, on the Feather Falls Trail and in the Lakes Basin there is no mobile coverage for long stretches. - Water containers holding 20 litres or more: many Forest Service campgrounds have no water in autumn or after fires, and there is no filling point in the canyon. - Binoculars: for ospreys and bald eagles at the lakes, freight trains on the canyon bridges and the waterbirds in the Sierra Valley. _As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._ ## Sources - [USDA Forest Service, Plumas National Forest – North Fork Campground](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/plumas/recreation/north-fork-campground) - [USDA Forest Service, Plumas National Forest – Gansner Bar Campground](https://fs.usda.gov/r05/plumas/recreation/gansner-bar-campground) - [USDA Forest Service, Plumas National Forest – Hallsted Campground](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/plumas/recreation/hallsted-campground) - [USDA Forest Service, Plumas National Forest – Bucks Lake Recreation Area](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/plumas/recreation/bucks-lake-recreation-area) - [California Department of Water Resources – Lake Oroville Recreation](https://water.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Recreation/Lake-Oroville-Recreation) - [California State Parks – Accessible Features at Plumas-Eureka SP](https://www.parks.ca.gov/AccessibleFeatures/Details/507) - [CEQAnet – Feather Falls Campground Construction of Replacement Facilities After North Complex Fire](https://ceqanet.lci.ca.gov/2026061101) - [Active NorCal – Feather Falls Is Back on the Map for Northern California Hikers](https://www.activenorcal.com/feather-falls-is-back-on-the-map-for-northern-california-hikers/) - [Wikipedia – California State Route 70](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_70) - [Wikipedia – Western Pacific Railroad Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Pacific_Railroad_Museum) - [Living New Deal – Feather River Canyon (Tunnel)](https://livingnewdeal.org/us/ca/feather-river-canyon) ## Which stops are on the route from Sacramento to Sierraville? 1. **Sacramento** (CA) 2. **Oroville** (CA) 3. **Feather Falls** (CA) 4. **Belden** (CA) 5. **Quincy** (CA) 6. **Bucks Lake** (CA) 7. **Lake Almanor** (CA) 8. **Chester** (CA) 9. **Greenville** (CA) 10. **Graeagle** (CA) 11. **Lakes Basin Recreation Area** (CA) 12. **Plumas-Eureka State Park** (CA) 13. **Portola** (CA) 14. **Sierraville** (CA) ## When is the best time for the route from Sacramento to Sierraville? The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. Hot in July. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons) ## FAQs **How long is Dam, rock canyon and mountain lakes – by camper along the Feather River Scenic Byway into Plumas County?** 8-day road trip of about 495 km (308 mi) with 14 stops, from Sacramento to Sierraville. About 5 h 30 min of driving in total. **How many days do you need for Dam, rock canyon and mountain lakes – by camper along the Feather River Scenic Byway into Plumas County?** We suggest 8 days: about 5 h 30 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops. **Where does Dam, rock canyon and mountain lakes – by camper along the Feather River Scenic Byway into Plumas County start and end?** It starts in Sacramento and ends in Sierraville. **Which states does Dam, rock canyon and mountain lakes – by camper along the Feather River Scenic Byway into Plumas County pass through?** California. **Where can you camp along Dam, rock canyon and mountain lakes – by camper along the Feather River Scenic Byway into Plumas County?** OpenStreetMap lists 145 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Sierra Skies RV Park, Domingo Springs Campground and Gurnsey Creek Campground.