Portola: Railroad History and Landscapes

Portola lies on the Middle Fork of the Feather River, just west of the expansive Sierra Valley. This gives you a first impression of the area’s geographic setting; museums and recreational offerings provide further concrete points of interest.

Railroad History and the Town’s Early History

The Western Pacific Railroad Museum offers a broad look at the scale of a railroad facility. Its grounds cover 37 acres, with an additional 2.5 miles of tracks and a workshop building measuring 16,000 square feet in area and 220 feet in length. Visitors can climb into locomotive cabs, take the engineer’s seat, and explore the cabooses and passenger cars on display. This puts both the facility as a whole and individual railcars in the spotlight.

Another connection to Portola’s early history is the Williams House Museum: an old log cabin associated with the town’s early history, displaying photographs and artifacts. It was home to the Williams family for many years. While the Western Pacific Railroad Museum focuses on tracks, the workshop, and railcars, this museum centers on a house and its family history.

Trails and Outdoor Recreation

The Portola Riverwalk is a paved multi-use trail that leads from downtown to a National Forest picnic area east of town. The Portola Disc Golf Course runs alongside the scenic Feather River. It was the first disc golf course in California designed by John Houck.

The Beckwourth Peak Trail is a 13-mile lollipop-shaped loop that starts in downtown Portola. It is also a bike-friendly climb with 1,540 feet of elevation gain. The Riverwalk is defined by its paved, multi-use character and its destination at the picnic area; the Beckwourth Peak Trail is notable for its loop shape, length, and elevation gain. These features make it possible to compare the trails by their different route characteristics without assuming a hiking time or difficulty level.

Baldwin Park also offers something for a variety of interests: it has a well-maintained bike path and a new play structure for children. Portola also has a volleyball court, horseshoe pits, and a skate park. The Portola Pool is open seasonally; its offerings include swimming lessons, party rentals, lap swimming, and water aerobics classes. The pool is currently closed for the season.

River, Mountain, and Valley

Beckwourth Peak is a volcanic formation above Portola. From the upper areas of the mountain, you can enjoy views of the valley below and the distant, rugged Sierras. Lake Davis and the Sierra Valley Preserve & Nature Center are also important landmarks in the landscape around town: Lake Davis is nearby, seven miles north of Portola, and has a 32-mile shoreline. The Sierra Valley Preserve & Nature Center is about five miles away. Its focus is the protection and preservation of the Sierra Valley’s wetland and meadow ecosystems.

These different features can help you get your bearings in Portola as you plan your trip: from railroad history and an old log cabin to trails, community recreation, and river and valley landscapes. Discover more destinations: Graeagle, Lake Almanor Peninsula, Quincy, Belden, Spring Garden, Johnsville, Chester, Cromberg.

For the main travel overview: Plumas.