The 100-page Fall 2026 edition of Sierra Rec Magazine is built around one of the best seasons to explore the Sierra Nevada. This issue takes readers from the granite high country of Yosemite and Mammoth Lakes to the forests, lakes and small communities of Plumas and Siskiyou counties. Inside, we wander backroads and discover Northern Sierra base camps, hike into the alpine landscapes of Duck Pass and Cathedral Lakes, explore the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, test new fall gear, and share the people, places and unexpected discoveries that make a Sierra road trip worth taking. More than a collection of destinations, this issue is an invitation to slow down, wander a little farther and find your own way through the Sierra this fall.
By Charlie Pankey Behind the construction dust of an old Northern Sierra hotel, one man’s vision is quietly creating something unexpected in Indian Valley. When Tom and I arrived at Crescent Mills Hotel & Store during our fall 2026 visit to Plumas County, the transformation wasn’t immediately obvious from the highway. You’d see an old … Read more
By Charlie Pankey At Bucks Lake Marina in Plumas County, a collection of historic logging cabins puts you close enough to the water to watch the lake wake up. And sometimes, that’s what makes a mountain stay memorable. I had driven this corner of Bucks Lake before, which is probably why I was confused when … Read more
Waterfalls brought me back to this corner of Northern California. A night in Dunsmuir, beside the young Upper Sacramento, gave me a reason to return. By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine I left Lassen Volcanic National Park with a long drive still ahead of me and a fairly simple idea for my final night … Read more
The out-and-back hike to Duck Pass and Duck Lake is a classic Sierra Nevada adventure, winding through towering pine forests, open mountain meadows, rugged alpine terrain and stunning alpine lakes. The proximity of this hike to Mammoth Lakes makes it especially appealing and convenient. The trailhead is located inside the Coldwater Campground, about a 15-20 … Read more
From canvas tent cabins inside national parks to a Conestoga wagon near Yosemite and a mountain cabin overlooking California’s Central Valley, one family discovered that you don’t need an RV—or even your own tent—to keep a national park road trip connected to the outdoors. By Natalie Vereen-Davis | Contributing Guest Writer The first morning of … Read more
Here’s the short version: if you only swim in the Sierra in July, you’re missing the best part of the year. By September the snowmelt is long gone, the rivers drop and slow down, the granite has been soaking up sun all summer, and the crowds have gone back to school and work. The foothill … Read more
Before you reserve a campsite or commit to a trail, local ranger guidance can help you choose an option that fits current Sierra access and rules.
Longer camping trips can reveal every flaw in your setup. See how thoughtful planning makes your Sierra campsite more comfortable and easier to manage.