01
Best overall pick
Susanville Ranch Park
North Of Susanville • Rolling Foothill Trail Network • Local Favorite For All-Around Hiking
A well-signed maze of dirt paths and singletrack just outside Susanville, with loops for everyone from dog walkers to all-day wanderers.
Susanville Ranch Park is the go-to trail system when you want options: mellow valley-bottom strolls, punchier climbs into the oak and pine, and ridge routes with views toward the Diamond Mountains. Trails are non-motorized and shared with mountain bikes, but it rarely feels crowded. In spring and early summer, the meadows green up nicely, so it’s an easy place to sneak in a quick after-work hike or stack a few loops into a long outing.
02
Best long, easy trail
Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail
Along The Susan River West Of Susanville • Scenic Riverside Rail-Trail • Best For Mellow Mileage And Bikes
A converted railroad grade following the Susan River through canyons, tunnels, and old trestles, perfect for long but gentle walks or bike-and-hike days.
Starting from the Susanville trailhead, the Bizz Johnson Trail gives you as much distance as you want without serious climbing, thanks to its gentle railroad-grade profile. The route follows the Susan River through pine forest and volcanic cliffs, crossing multiple bridges with easy access points if you want to hike just a segment. It’s especially nice in fall when the cottonwoods turn yellow and the canyon cools off after the high-desert summer.
03
Closest wild escape
Honey Lake Wildlife Area
South Of Herlong Near Honey Lake • Open Wetland And Sagebrush Flats • Top Pick For Birdwatching Walks
Flat dike roads and two-tracks wrap around marshes and open water, offering easy walks with big-sky views and excellent birdlife when the lake has water.
For something close to Herlong that still feels wild, the Honey Lake Wildlife Area is hard to beat. You’re walking more on old roads and levees than formal trails, but the reward is open views, plenty of space, and a good chance of seeing raptors, shorebirds, and waterfowl in season. Go early or late in the day for cooler temperatures and bring binoculars; wind can be strong, so a light shell is worth tossing in the car even on clear days.
04
Best lake-and-forest combo
Antelope Lake Recreation Area
Northeast Plumas National Forest • Quiet Pine Forest Lake Shore • Great For Camping Weekends With Hikes
A tucked-away Sierra lake ringed by pine forest, with informal shoreline paths and nearby forest roads that make easy out-and-back hikes from camp.
Antelope Lake sits high enough to feel like a real mountain getaway but is still an easy drive from Herlong if you don’t mind some winding back roads. Around the campgrounds, you can wander the shore, explore small coves, and connect short stretches of trail with quiet dirt roads through tall pines. It’s an especially good choice if you want to combine a weekend of camping, paddling, and casual hiking without the crowds of bigger, better-known reservoirs.
05
Best summer getaway
Eagle Lake Recreation Area
Northwest Of Susanville In Lassen National Forest • High-Country Lakeside Trails • Best For Cool, Breezy Summer Hikes
A large, high-desert lake backed by forested hills, with overlooks, shoreline paths, and short hikes that give big water views and breezy summer walking.
Eagle Lake is far enough from Herlong to feel like a small road trip, but the cooler air and expansive lake views make it worth the drive when the valleys are hot. Short trails near the recreation areas lead to overlooks and rocky points where you can watch ospreys hunt and boats drift in the distance. Pair a morning hike with an afternoon swim or picnic, and you have a full day out that still gets you back to the Honey Lake Valley by evening.