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Take in the Views of the Sutter Buttes in Butte County
Sutter County, CA
Did you know the North State is home to the “world’s smallest mountain range?” Indeed, the Sutter Buttes—a small, circular complex of eroded volcanic lava domes that sits just over an hour away from Chico—claim that (somewhat debatable) title.
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The North State is home to the Sutter Buttes, "the world's smallest mountain range," which is neither a mountain range nor in Butte County.
Sutter County, CA
The Sutter Buttes are steeped in indigenous history, having been featured prominently in stories and traditions of the Nisenan, Maidu and Wintun tribes. Each of these tribes visited the Buttes regularly to forage for food and hunt. Additionally, in the Maidu and Nisenan religions, the Sutter Buttes was the location where dying tribe members traveled to ascend to the afterlife.
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Despite technically being located in neighboring Sutter County, the Sutter Buttes are a prominent view along Butte County's skyline.
Sutter County, CA
If you're willing to work with a slight suspension of disbelief and are open to exploring (just outside) Butte County, then the Sutter Buttes are a can’t-miss spectacle.
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The Buttes are 10 miles wide and cover 75 square miles, having been formed by volcanic up-thrust more than a million years ago.
Sutter County, CA
The tallest of the Sutter Buttes’ three peaks stands at 2,132 feet above sea level. That may not be much compared to other well-known mountain ranges in the state, but that’s still plenty tall enough to be easily viewable from many points in Butte County.
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The Sutter Buttes reside on mostly private property, but you can enjoy spring and fall guided tours with Middle Mountain Interpretive Hikes.
Sutter County, CA
Plus, you can take a scenic 40-mile driving or cycling tour that circles around the entirety of the Sutter Buttes in a day. Are the Sutter Buttes technically a Butte County feature? Well, no. But don’t let technicalities ruin a good time.
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Paradise, California, United States
There are plenty of locations across Butte County where you can catch views of this Northern California hidden gem. Gridley, Oroville, and Paradise have particularly good viewing opportunities.