Lava Beds National Monument

Wild West History, Lakes, Mountains & Outstanding Wildlife Viewing

In the far northeast corner of California is Modoc County, where you can visit turn of-the-century towns, ranches and farmlands, often called the “place where the west still lives” and frequently compared to the beautiful expanses of Montana.

The warm, dry summers encourage camping, hiking, fishing, and water sports against the backdrop of the uniquely beautiful Warner Mountains, with their clear alpine streams and a high desert dotted with serene lakes. An ideal habitat for diverse wildlife, Modoc County and the National Wildlife Refuge are home to bald eagles, peregrine falcons, goshawks, golden eagles, Rocky Mountain mule deer and elk, wild horses, burros and pronghorn antelope.

Alturas, the commercial center for northeastern California, lies in the broad valley of the Pit River offering lodging at the historic Niles Hotel, modern and historic shops, and restaurants. Modoc County provides a variety of bed & breakfast inns featuring amenities such as hot springs, ranch living, fishing, or wilderness access.

Cedarville, centrally located in the cattle ranching hub of Surprise Valley, is home to an unusual exhibit of historically significant 1800s buildings relocated to Cedarville, now comprising the mythical town of “Louisville”.

Alturas  |  Cedarville

Modoc National Wildlife Refuge

The Modoc Wildlife Refuge is home to bald eagles, peregrine falcons, goshawks, golden eagles, and many other endangered species. Rocky mountain mule deer and elk, wild horses, burros, and pronghorn antelope are just a few of the other inhabitants.

Lava Beds National Monument

Over 700 lava tube caves - remnants of the arteries that transported lava from its source - are hidden within these flows. Crystal Ice Cave is open to park visitors on small ranger-guided tours during the winter months.

Modoc National Forest

Modoc National Forest offers visitors solitude, breathtaking vistas, lava caves, excellent fishing, lakes and streams for family splashing, and unsurpassed star filled dark night skies.

A Day in Modoc County
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5489
Modoc Wildlife Refuge
HCR3 Box 328
Alturas, CA 96101
Exploring open spaces and historical traces. Discover the Modoc Outback, your premier outdoor recreation destination area.
Modoc County
5406
CA 0
Dutch Flat Wildlife Area was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1994. It is 160 acres of riparian and stream habitat. Other vegetation types include grasslands and plant communities dominated by Jeffrey and ponderosa pines, juniper, and sagebrush.For more information, call the Northern Region Redding office at (530) 225-2300.
Modoc County
5552
Highgrade National Recreation Trai
CA 0
(530) 233-5811
Highgrade National Recreation Trail is 5.5 miles long. Elevations range from 7,100 to 7,800 ft in this high elevation forest setting.The Modoc National Forest segment of the Back Country Discovery Trails is about 200 miles long with another 42 miles of alternate (more challenging) trails. Most of the Modoc Back Country Discovery Trails system is single lane and unpaved.Twenty-two (22) Discovery Points will be designated along the route. When completed each will have an interpretative…
Modoc County
466
1 Indian Well Headquarters
Tulelake, CA 96134
530-667-8113
Cinder and spatter cones and miles of undulating, hardened flows. Over 20 developed caves including Mushpot Cave which is the only cave in the park in which lights have been installed. Site of the only Indian War in which a general was killed in U.S. history. Visitor Center, museum and seasonal guided tours.
Modoc County
174
600 S. Main Street
Alturas, CA 96101
530-233-2944
Some items on display date back 150 years and include Indian artifacts, an antique gun collection and domestic items used by the early day pioneer families of Modoc County. 
Modoc County
457
PO Box 1610
Alturas, CA 96101
530-233-3572
The 6,280 acre Modoc Wildlife Refuge was established in 1960 to manage and protect migratory waterfowl. Funds available under the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act helped purchase this refuge which lies at 4,300 feet elevation at the base of the Warner Mountains. Water is the key to attracting waterfowl in this high desert area. An extensive system of ponds, dikes and control structures allows for flooding and draining of meadow and marsh. Carefully controlled water…
Modoc County
2166
Hwy 299
Cedarville, CA 96104
530-365-7500
In the northeastern corner of California the Warner Mountains rise in a near solid wall to an elevation of almost 10,000 feet. Crossing over these mountains at Cedar Valley, you will enter a totally different world. Explorer John Freeman named it “the Great Basin”, the land where none of the rivers run to the sea. The Surprise Valley/Barrel Springs Back Country Byway is through this remote and rugged area. The byway provides an opportunity for those…
Modoc County
5387
1 Indian Well HQ
Tulelake, CA 96134
This trail follows a series of collapsed lava tube trenches as it meanders through a juniper and sagebrush wilderness area. You can easily turn this trail into a 10 mi (16 km) loop by connecting to the Missing Link and Bunchgrass trails. Trailhead can be accessed from the A-loop of the campground at Lava Beds National Monument. Distance: 8.7 miles. Difficulty: Moderate.
Modoc County
5382
Whitney-Butte trail at Lava Beds National Monument
1 Indian Well HQ
Tulelake, CA 96134
From the Merrill Cave parking area to the western boundary of Lava Beds National Monument, this trail crosses the wilderness in an east-west direction, curving around Whitney Butte. Enjoy an impressive view of Mount Shasta and the Callahan Lava Flow. Distance: 3.3 miles (one way).
Modoc County
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Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association
1699 HWY 273, Anderson, CA 96007 | (P) 530-365-7500
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