01
Closest quick escape
Shallow Grave Trail
Sagebrush Foothills South Of Milford • High-Desert Out-And-Back Trail • Closest Go-To Hike From Milford
A short but steady climb to a ridge with big views over Honey Lake and the Diamond Mountains.
Starting just off the highway south of town, this trail wastes no time gaining a low ridge above the valley floor. The grade keeps your heart rate up without feeling punishing, and the payoff is wide-open views across Honey Lake and the surrounding high desert. Expect little shade and bring plenty of water, especially on warm afternoons.
02
Big summit day
Thompson Peak via Shallow Grave Trail
High Ridge Of The Diamond Mountains • Long, Strenuous Summit Route • Best Challenge For Strong Hikers
A demanding climb from the desert floor to one of the Diamond Mountains’ prominent high points.
From the same general area as Shallow Grave, strong hikers can push much higher toward Thompson Peak, trading rolling sagebrush slopes for rocky, windswept ridges. The route is long and exposed, with big elevation gain and often a stiff breeze near the top. It rewards the effort with commanding views over Honey Lake Valley, the northern Sierra, and distant Nevada ranges.
03
Most versatile trail network
Susanville Ranch Park Trails
Foothills Just North Of Susanville • Rolling Multi-Use Trail System • Best Pick For Varied Distances
A web of singletrack and dirt roads where you can tailor a mellow stroll or a longer loop.
About a half-hour north of Milford, Susanville Ranch Park offers a mix of meadow paths, creekside singletrack, and hillier loops that feel surprisingly remote for being so close to town. You can keep it easy on the lower trails with gentle grades and scattered shade or climb higher for broader views and a more workout-style hike. It is a reliable choice when you have a mixed group or are not sure how far you will feel like going.
04
Scenic river canyon walk
Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail
Susanville Trailhead Along The Susan River • Gently Graded River Canyon Rail-Trail • Best For Relaxed Hiking And Biking
An easygoing path along the Susan River with old trestle bridges, tunnels, and standout fall color.
Starting from the Susanville trailhead, you can follow this converted rail corridor upstream along the Susan River as far as your time allows, then simply turn around. The grade is very gentle, making it ideal for families, casual walkers, or anyone easing into the local elevation. Bridges, rock cuts, and seasonal color in the canyon walls keep the scenery changing even on shorter out-and-back sections.
05
Wide-open lookout views
Black Mountain in the Diamond Mountains
Ridge West Of Honey Lake • Steep Road And Trail Climb To A Lookout Site • Best For Panoramic Vistas
A stout ascent to a former lookout site with sweeping views over Honey Lake Valley and beyond.
Reaching Black Mountain typically involves driving a rougher forest road and then hiking a steep combination of old road and trail up to the summit area. The effort is quickly forgotten once you are looking out over Honey Lake, the length of the Diamond Mountains, and the surrounding basins. Go in cooler months or early in the day, as this route is exposed and can feel brutally hot in midsummer.