01
Best overall pick
Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail
Susanville Trailhead • Scenic Riverside Rail-Trail • All-Day Classic
A gently graded former railroad line that follows the Susan River through tunnels, trestle bridges, and shady canyon views.
Starting from Susanville, this long, mostly dirt path lets you hike as far as you feel like, from short family strolls to all-day point-to-point adventures. The trail tracks the Susan River, slipping in and out of a narrow canyon with rock walls, small rapids, and a surprising amount of fall color. Expect easy navigation, big views around every bend, and a layout that makes it simple to turn around whenever you are ready.
02
Most flexible trail network
Susanville Ranch Park
North Of Susanville • Rolling Foothill Trail System • Best For Mixed Groups
A web of singletrack and old ranch roads winding through oak-dotted hillsides, meadows, and small creeks just outside town.
Susanville Ranch Park is where locals go when they want options, from mellow valley-floor loops to steeper climbs up the surrounding ridges. Trails are well signed, so it is easy to link a shorter family walk with a more ambitious ridge circuit in the same outing. In spring the meadows green up and fill with wildflowers, while fall brings quieter trails and long, soft light over the hills.
03
Best lakeside walk
Eagle Lake Recreation Trail
Eagle Lake Shoreline • Lakeside Multi-Use Path • Relaxed Scenic Outing
A mostly level shoreline trail with big views over Eagle Lake, pockets of pine forest, and easy access from campgrounds and picnic spots.
On the west side of Eagle Lake, this path traces the edge of one of the region's signature high desert lakes. You get a mix of open water vistas, shaded stretches beneath big pines, and side paths down to quiet coves where you can sit and watch the birds. It is a great choice for a low-key wander at sunset or a longer, steady walk that still feels laid-back.
04
Most dramatic landscape
Cinder Cone and Butte Lake
Northeast Lassen Volcanic National Park • Volcanic Summit And Lake Loop • Best For Strong Hikers
A steep, short grind up a black cinder cone overlooking lava beds, painted dunes, and the quiet shores of Butte Lake.
From the Butte Lake area, a sandy trail leads through dark lava rock before tackling the loose, calf-burning slope of the cinder cone itself. The climb is demanding but short, and the payoff is a full 360-degree panorama over lava flows, red and orange pumice hills, and the forested rim of the park. Pair the summit with a calmer stroll along Butte Lake's edge to cool down before the drive back toward Madeline.
05
Best for quiet and wildlife
Ash Creek Wildlife Area
Between Madeline And Adin • Wetland And Sagebrush Walking Area • Laid-Back Nature Escape
Open dike roads and two-tracks that thread through marshes, meadows, and sage flats rich in birds and big-sky views.
Ash Creek is a sprawling wildlife area where hiking is less about a single defined trail and more about leisurely exploring the network of levee tops and ranch roads. In spring and fall, migrating waterfowl, raptors, and sandhill cranes add constant interest to even the flattest walk. It is an ideal spot when you want solitude, easy footing, and wide horizons rather than a demanding climb.