01
Best lake loop close to camp
Lakeshore Trail – Little Grass Valley Reservoir
Little Grass Valley Reservoir Shoreline • Forest-And-Lakeside Loop Trail • Best Full-Day Circuit
A classic 13-mile circuit that traces almost the entire shoreline of Little Grass Valley Reservoir with constant water and forest views.
Starting from any of the lakeside campgrounds, the Lakeshore Trail lets you settle into a steady rhythm on mostly gentle singletrack and old roads. Expect long stretches of shady pine forest broken up by open bays where you can step right down to the water for a break or a quick swim. It’s long enough to feel like an adventure but mellow enough for fit walkers who don’t want anything too technical.
02
Best taste of the Pacific Crest Trail
Pacific Crest Trail at Bucks Summit
Bucks Summit Above Bucks Lake • High-Country Thru-Hiking Section • Best For Backpack-Curious Hikers
Walk a scenic out-and-back on the Pacific Crest Trail from Bucks Summit, with big forest views and a feel for long-distance hiking without the commitment.
From Bucks Summit on Quincy–La Porte Road, you can hop on the PCT and head either direction along a well-graded ridge. The tread is smooth, the grade is steady, and the scenery quickly opens to long looks toward Bucks Lake and the surrounding Plumas peaks. Pick a turnaround point that matches your time window, and you get a customizable day that still feels like a slice of a major long-distance route.
03
Most versatile lakeside hike
Bucks Lake Lakeshore Trail
Bucks Lake • Scenic Shoreline And Mixed-Use Path • Best For Mixed Groups
A flexible lakeside route around portions of Bucks Lake, with options to piece together easy strolls or a longer day on varied shoreline terrain.
The lakeshore path at Bucks Lake links coves, campgrounds, and small beaches, giving you plenty of natural stopping points. Some sections are wide and easy for kids or less experienced hikers, while other stretches roll a bit more and feel pleasantly remote. It’s an ideal choice when your group has different energy levels but still wants to share the same destination and post-hike swim spot.
04
Iconic waterfall trek
Feather Falls National Recreation Trail
Canyon Above Lake Oroville • Waterfall Canyon Day Hike • Best For Strong Day Hikers
A stout loop through mixed forest and canyon country to a dramatic overlook of Feather Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the state.
Though it’s a bit of a drive from Little Grass Valley, this trail rewards the effort with a big, memorable payoff. The route rolls through oak and pine forest before dropping toward the canyon, where you’ll hear the roar of the falls before you see them from a guardrailed cliffside viewpoint. The mileage and elevation gain add up, so bring plenty of water and plan to make a full outing of it.
05
Best summit-and-view hike
Mount Hough Trail
Above Quincy • Summit And Ridge Trail • Best For Wide-Open Vistas
A steady climb to the summit of Mount Hough, delivering broad views over the American Valley, surrounding ridges, and the northern Sierra.
Mount Hough is better known to some mountain bikers, but hikers get the same payoff—an airy high point with a true sense of the region’s scale. The trail climbs through mixed conifer forest and pockets of granite before breaking out onto open slopes near the top. On clear days, you can trace ridgelines back toward Little Grass Valley and spot familiar landmarks from a completely different angle.