The Colby Mountain Recreation Project is a collaborative effort that envisions 36 miles of new singletrack traversing a spectacular alpine landscape, welcoming a new generation of residents and visitors to seek adventure or a retreat from the world in this undiscovered corner of the Sierras.

What started as a concept for rebuilding rural economies that had been devastated by the 2018 Camp Fire through recreational tourism, the Colby Mountain Recreation Area has grown into a multi-faceted vision developed over months of stakeholder engagement. The project incorporates forest health demonstration sites, environmental education facilities, day-use and emergency response amenities, and an extensive network of multi-use trails. With the support of the U.S. Forest Service, the project will effectively open up an underappreciated corner of the Lassen National Forest to outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.

In 2025, 15 miles of trail were constructed with support from Butte County and the Lupine Legacy Foundation. The Butte County Board of Supervisors allocated $1 million in funding to support trail construction through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)  to address COVID-19 impacts. 

To learn more about the Colby Mountain Recreation Project or donate, check out the Chico Velo webpage by using this link.