Dust off the tents, ice down the coolers, load up the car and head to eastern Plumas County for a camping trip in the beautiful Plumas National Forest.

At Lake Davis, the Grasshopper Flat and Grizzly campgrounds have brand new water systems and roads and spurs in Grasshopper Flat have been widened and repaved. A long grubby day boating with the kids is not an issue, as shower facilities were added recently at the Honker Cove boat launch site. And last year’s thinning project removed damaged and diseased trees, leaving the forest in a healthier, safer condition.

Nearby Frenchman Lake has also been revamped with new bathroom buildings that include showers at Cottonwood and Big Cove campgrounds. The parking lot at the kiosk area has been paved and later this year the accessibility trail will be extended to provide fishing access.

In the Lakes Basin area, a composting toilet has been added at Grass Lake, a welcome facility near the Jamison Creek trail.

Those who prefer a totally different type of stay might be interested in a night or two in a fire lookout. The Black Mountain Lookout has been phenomenally successful in its first year of operation and it’s not hard to see why when experiencing the breathtaking view! Be sure to book well in advance.

More information about each site can be found at fs.usda.gov/plumas or by calling the Beckwourth Ranger District weekdays at 836-2575.