The farther you get from big cities, the more relaxed the rules. You'll never run out of room to roam in scenic Plumas and Sierra counties, where the Plumas National Forest alone offers more than a million acres where dogs are allowed to accompany their uprights either on- or off-leash. Countless access points to public lands are situated along the Volcanic Legacy and Feather River Scenic Byways, which are ranked among the nation's most scenic drives.
Hikers with dogs have many paths to explore, among them scenic sections of the Pacific Crest Trail and paths within the sublime Lakes Basin Recreation Area, whose sawtooth peaks and turquoise lakes remind many visitors of Switzerland.
The luxury Gray Eagle Lodge is just one of numerous area lodgings that welcomes four-legged visitors and offers quick access to fishing, golf, boating, hiking and other recreational pursuits.
Other Plumas County highlights include Bucks Lake, a low-key resort area surrounded by wilderness, and Lake Almanor, a larger body of water near the town of Chester and Lassen Volcanic National Park. A pet-friendly vacation rental on either lake will open a personalized window to this relaxed slice of Northern California. Or, check out pet-friendly Bucks Lake Lodge at Bucks Lake or Knotty Pine Resort at Almanor.
Photo: "Dogs at Bucks Lake" – Jeff DeVries (CC)
