Chester is a Plumas County community near the north end of Lake Almanor on Highway 36. It is home to the Lassen National Forest's Almanor Ranger District office and a Plumas County branch library. Almanor Campground and the west-shore recreation sites are reached from Chester by Highways 36 and 89. Checked October 29, 2026 on the operator’s own pages.
From Chico: about 1 hr 35 min (typical, without traffic)
Plan It in Three Lines
- Get thereFrom Chico: about 1 hr 35 min, typical, without traffic.
- WhenAlmanor Ranger District office: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed federal holidays).
- CostNo fee is printed on this page; check the official page before you go.
Key Facts
- The Almanor Ranger District office is at 900 E. Hwy 36, Chester, CA 96020.[1]
- The ranger district office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on federal holidays; phone (530) 258-2141.[1]
- Almanor Campground is about 12 miles outside the town of Chester.[2]
- From Chester, the Forest Service route to Almanor Campground is Highway 36 west to Highway 89 south, then about 6 miles to Almanor Drive West.[2]
- The Chester Branch Library is at 210 First Avenue, Chester; phone (530) 258-2742.[3]
- Chester Rogers Field is one of three general aviation airports owned and run by Plumas County.[4]
- PG&E's Last Chance Creek Campground near Chester on Hwy 36 is closed indefinitely due to fire damage.[5]
- Plumas County's site lists Northwest Plumas County (Chester) in its wildfire recovery information.[6]
Areas Inside Chester
Almanor Ranger District office
Forest Service office at 900 E. Hwy 36, open weekdays 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.[1]
Chester Branch Library
Plumas County branch library at 210 First Avenue with seasonal hours.[3]
Chester Rogers Field
County-owned general aviation airport.[4]
Plan Your Visit
| What | As the operator states it |
|---|---|
| Run by | Plumas County (unincorporated community); USDA Forest Service Almanor Ranger District office |
| Drive from Chico | About 1 hr 35 min, typical, without traffic (Google Maps, plus 10 minutes, rounded) |
| Hours | Almanor Ranger District office: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed federal holidays).[1] |
| Phone | Almanor Ranger District (530) 258-2141; Chester Branch Library (530) 258-2742[1] |
| Official page | Plumas County (unincorporated community); USDA Forest Service Almanor Ranger District office |
Not confirmedThe official pages we read do not publish fees, dogs, restrooms, accessibility for this place.
Hours at a Glance
Bars are drawn from the hours printed in Plan Your Visit below; a faded or dashed bar means the page prints sunrise or sunset, not a clock time. Today is outlined.
Map of Chester
Around Chester
- Lake Almanor: 7.7 miles southeast
- Feather River Canyon on Highway 70: 20.2 miles south
- Paradise Lake: 35.5 miles southwest
The yellow dot is this place. Rings are spaced so close places do not pile up, and a numbered badge may sit slightly off its true spot (a thin line ends at the true spot). Distances are straight-line miles worked out from the map points each page prints; they are not drive times or walking routes.
What We Could Not Verify
These items were not on an official page we could open on October 29, 2026, or two official pages disagree. Check with the operator before you rely on them.
- Not confirmedChester population and elevation from an official page
- Not confirmedChester Museum and Collins Pine Museum hours (seen only on a tourism site)
- Not confirmedVisitor center in Chester (none found on an official page)
- Not confirmedTown services, lodging and dining (tourism sources only)
More in Lake Almanor & The Feather River
Coming Up in Lake Almanor & The Feather River
Nothing on our calendar for Lake Almanor & The Feather River from today on yet. We only list a date once we have read it on the organizer’s own page, so here is what comes next. See every upcoming event.
Country Pumpkins: October Farm Season
Runs Oct 1 to Oct 31, 2026
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Country Pumpkins, Orland
Price: Free admission; corn maze $5, haunted maze $15
Open daily in October with pumpkins, a petting zoo, hay pyramid and slide, and a daytime corn maze (last entry 5:30 PM). The Haunted Maze runs 7 to 10 PM on select nights, last night Friday, October 30; the farm is closed Halloween.
Checked Oct 30, 2026 · Source for Country Pumpkins: October Farm Season (opens in a new tab)October Movies in The Park: Hocus Pocus 2
5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
DeGarmo Park, Chico
Price: Free
Halloween movie night with a costume parade at 6:15 PM, food trucks and free popcorn; the film starts at dusk. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.
Checked Oct 29, 2026 · Source for October Movies in the Park: Hocus Pocus 2 (opens in a new tab)Costumed Dog Parade (Corning)
5:30 PM
Yaya's Tacos, Corning
Price: Free
Dog costume parade right after Trick or Treat Street.
Checked Oct 29, 2026 · Source for Costumed Dog Parade (Corning) (opens in a new tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Forest Service office in Chester?
The Almanor Ranger District office is at 900 E. Hwy 36, open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; phone (530) 258-2141.[1]
How far is Almanor Campground from Chester?
About 12 miles, via Highway 36 west and Highway 89 south.[2]
Does Chester have a public library?
Yes. The Plumas County Chester Branch Library is at 210 First Avenue; phone (530) 258-2742.[3]
Sources
- Lassen National Forest | Almanor Ranger District (office), USDA Forest Service, Lassen National Forest. Read October 29, 2026.
- Lassen National Forest | Almanor Campground | Forest Service, USDA Forest Service, Lassen National Forest. Read October 29, 2026.
- Locations | Plumas County Library, Plumas County. Read October 29, 2026.
- Airports | Plumas County, CA, Plumas County. Read October 29, 2026.
- PG&E Recreation – Camping, Pacific Gas and Electric. Read October 29, 2026.
- About Plumas County | Plumas County, CA, Plumas County. Read October 29, 2026.
Cite this page: “Chester.” It’s Chico, checked October 29, 2026. https://itschico.com/lake-almanor-feather-river/chester/
Coming Up Here
No dated event at Chester is on our calendar right now. We list a date only after reading it on the organizer’s own page, so an empty list means not listed yet, not that nothing is happening. See every upcoming event.