This charming High Sierra town is a great base for exploring mountains, forests, and lakes.
Nestled in the High Sierras of Northern California and the county seat of Plumas County, Quincy is a charming mountain town full of artsy vibes, a historic Main Street, and easy access to all sorts of outdoor recreation, with several national forests and dozens of lakes within easy reach Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, and paddling are all popular activities, along with snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling in the winter. Plenty of camping options can be found in and around Quincy, from RV parks and rustic cabins to developed and dispersed lakeside and forest service campgrounds.
Quincy Area
Private campgrounds and RV parks offer the closest camping options to Quincy, though just outside of town several Plumas National Forest campgrounds can be found, including Spanish Creek Campground, Hallstead Campground, and Snake Lake Campground. Head to Bucks Lake for excellent trout fishing, water sports (including sailboarding), and several developed and primitive campgrounds around the lake and along Bucks Creek.
Plumas and Tahoe National Forests
The Plumas National Forest offers plenty of recreation and camping options, including near lakes. Options include Lake Davis, Frenchman’s Lake, and the Lakes Basin Recreation Area near Graeagle. Further south, the Tahoe National Forest offer numerous campgrounds, many of which are situated alongside creeks, rivers, and lakes. The north and western shores of Lake Tahoe are also within two hours of Quincy.
Lake Almanor and Lassen
Northwest of Quincy is Lake Almanor, a water recreation paradise and one of the largest man-made lakes in California. Numerous camping options can be found around the 52 square mile lake, including private campgrounds, RV parks, forest service campgrounds run by the Lassen National Forest, and PG&E-run campgrounds. Further northwest is the Lassen Volcanic National Park, where you can find every type of volcanic dome, and eight developed and primitive campgrounds.
Summer is the most popular time for camping and outdoor recreation, especially water related activities, around Quincy. The popular High Sierra Music Festival is held in Quincy in July while the Plumas-Sierra County Fair is held in August. Spring and fall also offer ideal weather to be outside, while leaf peeping is a popular fall activity. Fishing is usually permitted in area lakes year-round and in the streams from April to November. Most campgrounds are open seasonally.