Trade Tent for Cabin: Best Overnight Stop on the Northern CA BDR

A motorcyclist navigates a rugged trail on the Northern California BDR, surrounded by scenic wilderness.

For adventure motorcycle enthusiasts, the acronym BDR conjures images of remote landscapes, challenging terrain, and the unparalleled freedom of exploring off the beaten path. The Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR-CA) is no exception, offering riders an epic journey through some of the Golden State's most diverse and stunning environments, from arid high deserts to towering Sierra Nevada forests.

But even the most seasoned adventurers need a strategic pause — a place to unwind, recharge, and regroup before tackling the next section of trail. If your group is planning to ride the BDR-CA, especially the central sections, you absolutely need to know about Camp Layman. It's not just a place to sleep; it’s a perfectly positioned oasis for adventure motorcycle groups.

The Plumas County BDR Experience

The Northern California BDR is a roughly 900-mile, off-pavement route. The segments that pass through Plumas and the surrounding national forests offer some of the best high-country adventure riding on the entire track. Here's what makes this area a motorcyclist's dream:

• Blissful Forested Two-Tracks: The main BDR route through this area frequently utilizes blissful, fast-flowing forest service two-tracks. These dirt roads, often wide and well-maintained, offer a perfect mix of scenery and speed, allowing riders on both large and small ADV bikes to cover ground efficiently while enjoying the crisp mountain air.

• The Fire Lookout Ascents: The route is famous for its climbs to historic fire lookouts, offering stunning panoramic views that are worth the price of admission alone. Near Plumas, riders can target lookouts like Argentine Rock and Mount Hough, which demand skillful riding on winding, rocky mountain roads, often including steep, loose climbs that test throttle control and nerve.

• Historical and Geological Wonders: Riding through the area provides a rich backdrop of history. Riders pass through areas impacted by events like the 2021 Dixie Fire, offering a powerful, if stark, perspective on the region's wilderness. You also ride near historic mining towns and geologic formations that break up the long days in the saddle.

• Expert Options for Adrenaline Junkies: For the group members who live for technical challenges, the BDR offers optional Expert Tracks. While some of the most difficult expert sections are further south (like the infamous Mount Patterson climb), the Plumas region offers its own taste of steep, technical, and rocky terrain, particularly leading up to some of the higher mountain lookouts. It's crucial for riders to be prepared for the altitude and potentially limited visibility on these challenging spurs.

Camp Layman: Strategically Located for Riders

The Plumas County section of the BDR requires planning, as amenities can be scarce and the riding physically demanding. This is where Camp Layman shines, offering the perfect logistical and physical break for your group:

• Central Location: The camp is situated right on the Feather River Scenic Byway (Highway 70), centrally located between the challenging Sierra Buttes area (where BDR sections often pass near towns like Downieville and Graeagle) and the remote, high-desert tracks heading north toward Lassen and the Modoc Plateau.

• Comfort and Group Accommodation: After a long day of fighting rocks, dust, and elevation, sleeping on the ground isn't always appealing. Camp Layman features cozy cabins with full bathrooms and kitchens. This allows a group to securely store gear, cook a proper meal, recharge bodies (and batteries!), and review the next day's GPS tracks in comfort, rather than wrestling with tents and finding a suitable camp spot.

• River Access: The camp is nestled along the Feather River, offering an immediate and refreshing opportunity to soak tired muscles or simply relax by the water—a perfect sensory break from hours of engine vibration and trail focus.

• Easy Bailout/Resupply Access: Being close to the towns of Cromberg and Graeagle means easy access to fuel, minor supplies, and emergency pavement routes if a bike needs a quick repair or a rider needs a non-off-road break before re-joining the BDR trail loop.

  
  

By using Camp Layman as a base, your adventure motorcycle group can approach the Plumas BDR segments with refreshed riders and fully maintained machines, ready to tackle the amazing combination of fast forest trails and technical mountain climbs that await!