An encounter with railroads in Plumas can go beyond simply looking at them. The Western Pacific Railroad Museum’s collection includes more than 30 locomotives and 128 pieces of rolling stock; visitors are invited to climb into locomotive cabs. This brings into focus not only the vehicles but also the place from which a locomotive is operated. The Run-A-Locomotive program offers a hands-on way to engage with historic machines: visitors can rent a historic diesel locomotive and operate it on the museum grounds under the close supervision of a personal instructor.
History Between Museum and Park
The Backcountry Discovery Trail offers a different scale: the 150-mile route is designed for exploring Plumas County. While a museum visit focuses on individual collections and experiences, here the focus is on a route through the county.
There is more than one way to explore the area’s mining history, too. Plumas-Eureka State Park includes a historic mining-era village. Its trails provide access to the Pacific Crest Trail. The Plumas County Museum’s permanent exhibits include an outstanding collection of baskets woven by members of the Mountain Maidu.
The Plumas County Museum’s section on industrial history covers the railroads of Plumas County, gold mining on the Feather River, and the timber industry. These subjects are brought together in one exhibit, spanning transportation and resource extraction to the use of forests. This offers a way to explore the region’s history through more than just one industry.
Lakes, Trails, and Nature
Bucks Lake is a high-altitude mountain lake at 5,200 feet, with a 17-mile shoreline. Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent at the lake. The Mill Creek Trail at Bucks Lake offers a different perspective on the landscape, passing through pine forests and aspen groves. Watercraft and a trail through different types of woodland provide two distinct ways to experience the area around the lake.
The Round Valley Lake Loop is a relatively flat trail around the lake. For nature watching, there is a specific note about Round Valley Reservoir: more than 100 bird species have been observed at or near the reservoir.
At the Antelope Lake Recreation Area, Boulder Creek Campground offers 68 shaded sites among pine and fir trees. The recreation area also has an 11-mile paved loop route. This provides another planning reference: a campground with specific details and a stated route length.
Discover more destinations: Spring Garden, Chester, Quincy, Portola, Graeagle, Cromberg, Belden, Plumas Eureka, Lake Almanor Country Club, Johnsville, Lake Almanor Peninsula.
For the broader travel overview: California.
