Plumas National Forest is a 1,146,000-acre United States National Forest located at the northern terminus of the Sierra Nevada, in northern California. The Forest was named after its primary watershed, the Rio de las Plumas, or Feather River.
This Northern California gem is a tad off-the-beaten-path, but it’s well worth a short detour. From Quincy follow Highway 89 south to Graeagle. Turn right on Gold Lake Highway, then left on Frazier Falls Road. The parking lot for the trailhead is just four miles up this paved one-lane steep road. And you’ll notice the elevation change as you climb – from 4,300 feet in Graeagle to 6,200 feet at the trailhead.
Accessible parking and an accessible vault toilet are located near a half-mile paved trail to the falls overlook. There are a few short steeper sections on this undulating trail, so manual wheelchair-users may require some assistance. That said this smooth wide trail is great for folks with scooters or power wheelchairs. There are also several benches along the way to sit and rest. There is level access to two of the viewing platforms at the end of the line that offer a panoramic view of the falls crashing down into the Frazier River. There’s also a nice picnic area with accessible tables, in a shaded grove near the trailhead. This is another snowpack-fed waterfall and it’s usually at its peak in May and wanes in the late summer. Be forewarned though, although Frazier Falls Road is plowed, it’s not unusual to find snow obstructing the trail in late April.
The Plumas National Forest free personal woodcutting program has been extended until further notice. Permits and tags are not required, however, customers must have a copy of woodcutting regulations and woodcutting map in their possession and follow those regulations when cutting. Personal use firewood may not be sold or exchanged; up to 12 cords may be cut per calendar year. Commercial firewood cutters (buy/sell/trade wood) require commercial (not personal use) permits. Green trees may not be cut for personal or commercial use.
Known nationally as a treasure trove of fall splendor, the Plumas National Forest offers up glorious views to those hiking, taking a walk or a scenic drive through the forest.
Extensive fire damage to the trail, campground, overlook, and surrounding area from the 2020 North Complex will take time to fix.
Frazier Falls Trail
This paved mile long accessible trail passes through glacially carved granite terraces to a spectacular viewpoint across the canyon from Frazier Falls. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers at the Lions Club for trail maintenance, repair and clean-up.
This is an accessible trail for foot traffic and accessible vehicles such as wheelchairs and scooter only. Bicycles and all motorized vehicles are not allowed.
