01
Best overall pick
Susanville Ranch Park
North Of Susanville • Rolling Foothill Trail Network • Closest All-Round Hiking Spot
A well-signed web of singletrack and dirt roads that turn the oak-dotted hills above Susanville into an easy-to-customize hiking playground.
Just under an hour north of Patton Village, Susanville Ranch Park is where locals go when they want dirt under their boots without committing to an all-day mission. Short loops near the lower meadow work well for relaxed strolls, while longer climbs into the upper park reward you with wide valley views and spring wildflowers. Trails are shared with bikers and riders, but it rarely feels crowded outside of peak weekend hours.
02
Best for a half-day
Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail
Downtown Susanville Trailhead • River-Side Rail Trail • Best Easy Mileage Day
A gently graded former rail line that follows the Susan River through canyon walls, old trestles, and shady stretches perfect for relaxed walking.
Starting right on the edge of Susanville, the Bizz Johnson Trail is ideal when you want distance without steep climbing. You can hike out-and-back from town as far as your legs feel good, turning around at one of the bridges, tunnels, or picnic spots along the river. Fall colors here can be spectacular, and the wide tread makes it friendly for newer hikers and families.
03
Best lakeside camping hikes
Antelope Lake Recreation Area
Plumas National Forest Backcountry • Pine Forest And Shoreline Paths • Quiet Weekend Escape
Remote forest roads lead to a cold blue reservoir ringed by informal shoreline paths, short climbs, and mellow campground-to-cove rambles.
Antelope Lake sits deep in the pines of Plumas National Forest, far enough from towns that it stays pleasantly low-key. The hiking is more about exploring the shoreline, peninsulas, and nearby hills than following a single marquee trail, so it suits hikers who like to wander and link their own routes. Pair a day of exploring with a night in one of the lakeside campgrounds for a full weekend away from Highway 395 traffic.
04
Iconic volcano country
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Southwest Of Susanville • High-Elevation Volcanic Park • Bucket-List Day Trip
Steaming vents, alpine lakes, and big summit climbs make Lassen one of Northern California’s most memorable high-country hiking destinations.
From Patton Village it is a longer but fully worthwhile drive into Lassen Volcanic, where even short trails feel dramatic. You can choose a mellow loop like Manzanita Lake, step up to a moderate hike out to Bumpass Hell’s bubbling mudpots, or commit to the steep switchbacks up Lassen Peak itself when conditions allow. Snow lingers late most years, so always check seasonal closures and bring layers for rapidly changing mountain weather.
05
Most dramatic scenery
Lakes Basin Recreation Area
Near Graeagle And Gold Lake • Granite Peaks And Alpine Lakes • Scenic Summer Loop Option
A compact maze of trails links dozens of small alpine lakes, rocky ridges, and old mining relics in the heart of the northern Sierra.
The drive to Lakes Basin is on the longer side, but it delivers some of the best bang-for-your-buck scenery within reach of Patton Village. From the Gold Lake or Packer Lake trailheads you can stitch together loop hikes that visit multiple lakes in a single outing, with granite outcrops and views toward the Sierra Buttes. Most trails are best once the snow melts out, making this a prime mid- to late-summer destination.