Explore the best rated trails in Susanville, CA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Modoc Line Rail Trail and Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail. With more than 5 trails covering 140 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The Lake Almanor Recreation Trail offers scenic views of the lake and mountains, including Lassen Volcano in nearby Lassen Volcanic National Park. The trail follows 11 miles of the southwest shore of...
This 13 mile, non-motorized, multi-use trail is currently being improved to create a smoother tread surface for equestrians, hikers and bikers. It extends from downtown Chester where it crosses Main...
The Eagle Lake Trail provides a pleasant ride through pine and sage trees along the south shore of the second largest natural lake in California. The trail is located in Lassen National Forest and...
The Lake Almanor Recreation Trail offers scenic views of the lake and mountains, including Lassen Volcano in nearby Lassen Volcanic National Park. The trail follows 11 miles of the southwest shore of...
The spectacular Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail runs between Westwood and Susanville in Lassen County. It cuts through the thick woodlands of the high country into the awesome Susan River...
This 13 mile, non-motorized, multi-use trail is currently being improved to create a smoother tread surface for equestrians, hikers and bikers. It extends from downtown Chester where it crosses Main...
The Eagle Lake Trail provides a pleasant ride through pine and sage trees along the south shore of the second largest natural lake in California. The trail is located in Lassen National Forest and...
The Modoc Line runs 86 miles between Wendel in the south and McArthur Siding in the north (just south of Alturas). The most scenic sections are between Likely and Madeline and Snowstorm Canyon. The...
This 13 mile, non-motorized, multi-use trail is currently being improved to create a smoother tread surface for equestrians, hikers and bikers. It extends from downtown Chester where it crosses Main...
The Lake Almanor Recreation Trail offers scenic views of the lake and mountains, including Lassen Volcano in nearby Lassen Volcanic National Park. The trail follows 11 miles of the southwest shore of...
The spectacular Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail runs between Westwood and Susanville in Lassen County. It cuts through the thick woodlands of the high country into the awesome Susan River...
The Modoc Line runs 86 miles between Wendel in the south and McArthur Siding in the north (just south of Alturas). The most scenic sections are between Likely and Madeline and Snowstorm Canyon. The...
The Eagle Lake Trail provides a pleasant ride through pine and sage trees along the south shore of the second largest natural lake in California. The trail is located in Lassen National Forest and...
We rode from Mason station to Susanville. The west- east direction is the way to ride! It is nearly all gently downhill. Definitely recommend leaving in the morning. We left at 9 AM and arrived in Susanville at 12:10. I would allow more time if you want to picnic and take a lot of photos. The entire trail was open and there was only one time where we had to dismount our bikes. The gravel on the trail is not deep. (The reviews from four or five years ago said the deep gravel was a problem but that issue has resolved itself.) We used the bus but call before as route changing Burnt out sectionbsedestroyed by fire last year. We did not mind it
We started on the trail at Olsens Barn I. Chester. Beautiful pasture. Flat. Worn down grass path to the river. And then...had to make our way on our town until we caught a very lightly worn path out to the lake. However, don’t go that far. The land is very wet and mossy. Turn onto the gravel path and take that as far as you can. Lovely 3.3mi walk this morning with the dogs.
Great, meandering, mostly-shaded, shoreline trail with multiple mild climbs and coasts. All paved, although a bit rough in spots. Really 12.x miles because it extends to canyon dam launch ramp. Can be made into a loop of sorts using west shore drive. Plenty of needles and sticks before Memorial Day cleanup. A bit rough for skinny-tire road bikes and a bit tame for full-suspension mountain bikes, but perfect for touring bikes or my 3 speed cruiser! Start and end at Plumas Pines tavern and finish with a smile, a beer, and a great view of Lake Almanor. It really doesn't get any better for the young or old, beginner or intermdiate, casual or serious cyclist. Serious mountain bikers can extend their loops into the dirt on either side of 89 where hidden single tracks will stimulate endorphin production and deplete calories. Enjoy!
Rode this track at the end of May, starting at the Canyon Dam Boat ramp parking lot. Although it had been cleared of all fallen trees and branches, the trail still had thick patches of pine needles throughout. With constant change between sunshine and shade, lots of abrupt turns, bumps from roots under the pavement, pine needle patches, this ride needs one's full attention in places, particularly with heavier traffic under normal campground occupancy. Some great views, lots of benches and tables for stops, but no water, and no restrooms open at the campgrounds alonf the way. Decided to go back on Almanor Dr. to see that part of the lake front as the trail goes inland away from the water heading north west. Had a great lunch at Plumas Pines resort, and explored historic Prattville. The old cemetery was relocated there when the canyon dam was built.
Had a lovely trip on the Bizz Johnson trail, twice. First was the Fall Colors trip in October - contact the local BLM office as they arrange transportation to the trailhead from Susanville. Lots of bright yellow leaves. The second time we camped at Goumaz Campground which is right on the trail. You can ride to Susanville, then catch the twice-daily bus to Westwood and bicycle about 4-5 miles to the trailhead. Total trip length about 30 miles. Pleasant, uncrowded country a long way from anywhere, but this area is dry and hot in the summer.
A weekday, nearly empty after first few miles out of Susanville. Cycled on mt bike to 10 mile mark and back; then drove to Westwood, van camped, and walked four miles at this end. Will be back to do the remaining Westwood end. Not technical; not difficult. In fact so easy, it was mesmerizingly beautiful. Diverse landscape, cool temperatures (mid May), wild flowers - just perfect!
i know covid-19 is still out there and the forest service probably doesn't have any thing to do with this trail, but. does anyone love a trail that's paved and is covered with a few fallen trees, branches to many to remember and the soft quiet riding pine needles that can make the trail a bit "slick" in the corners? we should have packed a chain saw and broom! oh well we rode the whole thing anyway!
In June 2019 my 12-year old daughter and I took a wonderful two-day bikepacking trip on the Bizz Johnson trail. We went from Susanville to Westwood and back again. I was riding a mountain bike and my daughter a hybrid. The trail is very well maintained. There was just one section we needed to walk--an underpass under the highway that had been freshly graveled. The scenery was stunning, especially at the eastern end where the bridges and tunnels are. The nights were very peaceful. We camped both nights at the primate Cheney Creek campground, which is just west of the last railroad tunnel. We had intended to stay the second night at Goumaz Campground, but it was full with RV-type campers. We were told spots are typically available, but not this particular Saturday night. However, we were very happy to return to Cheney Creek. Goumaz has running water, which meant we didn't need to pump or carry a crazy quantity with us. Local historians put up historical information about old logging camps at the western end of the trail--something I appreciated. I highly recommend riding the Bizz Johnson trail, either as a bikepacking trip, or as a long one-day trip there-and-back.
Wow, what a special trail (rail trail) experience this is, I don’t know if you could find a more perfect setting, from the river run views to the trestles and tunnels it is spectacular! I rode it on my gravel bike and loved every minute, even the second time was just as special, can’t wait to go back and fish! If I could make one suggestion; work on updating the pass through gates, the more you can make them passable without dismounting would be appreciated.
Done. 32.5 miles total although the downhill part wasn’t that hard, just bumpy. Overall rating: not that impressed. Now, it is fantastic that they’ve preserved it for bikes/pedestrians/equestrians, but the scenery and two tunnels and one big trestle (rebuilt after a fire) and the trail itself pale in comparison to the Trail of the CdA’s. After crossing the big trestle over the river, you still have to ride/walk your bike down a steep section and then back up to cross under a highway. Yuk. And - while I was only supposed to do 18-20 miles, the bus couldn’t drop me off where they said they could. So instead of just the downhill part I did the whole thing. But I survived. Wouldn’t do it again by myself. My bike performed well too which was another of my big concerns. Check this one off my list. I’m so blessed to live so close to the Trail of the CdA’s!
After all of the hoopla about this trail being named to the Rail Trail Hall of Fame, we made a point of riding it on our way back to SoCal after a trip to Oregon in June of 2016.
Perfect weather, beautiful river views, stately pines, and a gentle incline from Susanville made the ride a joy. The tunnels and bridge crossings add to the fun, and the forest and mountains provided enough shade to keep us cool on our morning ride.
Even though the grade is gentle, it was steep enough and gravelly enough that my fifty-eight year old wife said she was done by the time we reached Devil's Corral, so we semi-coasted back down to Susanville with new pleasant memories of yet another commendable Rail Trail experience.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Map Search
