Communities

Chester and Lake Almanor

Pontoon Boat fun at Lake Almanor, Plumas County, Northeastern California

The Chester and Lake Almanor Basin is best known as a recreation paradise and the gateway to Lassen Volcanic National Park.

It's also the place where the Sierra Nevada range and the Cascade range meet, and is the southern terminus of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, a 360 mile All American Road featuring volcanic and other scenic attractions.

At 4,500 feet elevation and with 52 miles of forested shoreline, Lake Almanor is the county's largest lake, offering year-round fishing and spectacular views of majestic Lassen Peak.

The lake is one of the most popular attractions in Northern California, drawing visitors year-round. Summer lake surface temperatures of about 75 degrees make it ideal for water sports, including water-skiing, sailing, sail boarding, paddleboarding and jet skiing.

Golfers can enjoy three courses in the Almanor Basin, including 18-hole championship Bailey Creek and two nine-hole courses.

A large network of trails offer a myriad of opportunities for hiking and biking and exploring, both around the lake and in the surrounding forest.

The North Fork Feather River, which flows into Almanor, and nearby Yellow Creek, are favorites with catch and release fly-fishermen. Nearby Butt Valley Reservoir is widely known as a great fishery for trout.
Snowmobiling near Chester

The Almanor Basin also is an undiscovered jewel for winter recreation. The highlight of this wintry season is Winterfest, held in February, featuring a chili cook off, snowmobile drag races, a poker run and sled dog races. Winter visitors can also take in the excitement of observing nearby snowmobile snow-cross racing.

Services for visitors also are available in small communities along the lake, including Prattville, Almanor, Lake Almanor West, the Lake Almanor Peninsula, Hamilton Branch and Canyon Dam.

The charming town of Chester, located at the northern end of the lake, offers a full range of amenities. Shoppers can browse Main Street with its unique gift shops, galleries and eateries. Overnight visitors to Chester/Lake Almanor can choose from a wide range of motels, resorts, vacation rentals, bed and breakfast inns and campgrounds. Annual arts shows, a July 4th fireworks display, parade, fun run, and music festival and an annual Street Rod Extravaganza in September are among the special events that are featured each year in Chester. The town also hosts wine walks and outdoor concerts during the summer.

The surrounding Lassen National Forest maintains two nearby wilderness areas, the Caribou and the Ishi, which are easy to explore.

History buffs and adventurers can enjoy a half-day trip to Seneca. A few inhabitants and a unique bar are all that remain of this once thriving gold mining town.
The Warner Valley, which leads into Lassen Volcanic National Park, offers another scenic side trip. A short drive to Westwood, east of Chester, allows a look at the giant redwood statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, and exhibits at a visitors center that is a replica of Westwood's original train depot. Other attractions include a museum, the historic Walker mansion, and the area's only winery, which produces mead, a wine-style beverage made by fermenting honey and water.

For more information on the Chester/Lake Almanor area, visit Chester/Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce or call (530) 258-2426 or (800) 350-4838.