Things to do near Portola, in the Lost Sierra

High Camp is an amazing hub for outdoor adventure, history, and culinary delights. You can mountain bike nearby trails, hike to waterfalls or fire lookouts, play a round of disc golf, or just unwind at a local eatery, while enjoying live music. Go make some memories in this beautiful corner of California!

Mountain Biking
Gravel Biking

Hiking
Water
Disc Golf & Golf

History
Eat & Drink
And More

Mountain Biking

Beckwourth Peak Trail

An amazing, intermediate, cross-county trail. Ride around the mountain and enjoy the views on this new trail.
Trail map
Start from High Camp

Mills Peak Trail

A fun, long downhill trail. Consider organizing or paying for a shuttle to the top.
Trail map
23 mins to trailhead

Mount Hough Trail System

Network of great trails (consider a shuttle service)
Trail map
54 mins to trailhead

Gravel Biking (coming soon)

Lost & Found Gravel Route

Lake Davis Loop

Smith Peak Fire Lookout

Calpine Fire Lookout

Brewery Loop

Hiking

Portola Riverwalk Trail

Flat, paved trail that follows the river in town. There is also a disc golf course along the trail.
7 mins to trailhead

Little Jamison Falls

A 2 mile out-and-back to a hidden waterfall, which runs year-round. If you continue a short distance up the trail, you’ll reach Grass Lake.
32 mins to trailhead

Calpine Fire Lookout

Depending on weather, you can likely drive a lot of the way to this picturesque lookout. Follow Calpine Road to the end or park at the turnout if the road is closed for the winter.
33 mins to the lookout

Mills Peak Trail

This seven mile trail takes off from the Mills Peak Lookout and heads downhill through a predominately conifer forest, offering some beautiful views
24 mins to trailhead

Beckwourth Peak Trail

A new trail, created by the Sierra Buttes Stewardship. The trail is accessible from the edge of Beckwourth Peak High Camp.
Trailhead: start at High Camp

Water

Portola Public Pool

The Portola Pool season usually begins Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day weekend. Just down the road from High Camp on Gulling St, the pool is open Tuesday-Saturday Noon-5pm (day use fee).
5 mins to the pool

Sierra Valley Hot Springs

Natural Hot Springs in Portola. Day Use Passes are available through advance reservation only: Thursday through Sunday from 10:30am to 5:30pm. Evening Soak Passes are available through advance reservation only Wednesday through Sunday from 4:00pm to 11:00pm.
36 mins to the hot springs

Lake Davis

Lake Davis Recreation Area offers a wide variety of summer outdoor experiences including: camping , picnicking, fishing, hunting, boating, mountain biking, swimming, and wildlife viewing
18 mins to the day use area

Frazier Point Falls

An accessible trail to waterfalls that run typically in May in June. Good for kids and those with limited ability to hike.
36 mins to the trailhead

Lakes Basin Recreation Area

With over 20 small lakes, impressive peaks, 30+ miles of trails, waterfalls, and picturesque campgrounds and historic lodges, the Lakes Basin Recreation Area is a crown jewel in the Plumas National Forest. Check out the area for mountain biking, hiking, birding and picnicking.
34 mins to the Gold Lake