Spanning 1.7 million acres across California’s remote northeastern corner, Modoc National Forest offers a landscape shaped by volcanic forces over the past 500,000 years. Ancient lava flows have created a terrain unlike anywhere else in the state—rugged, otherworldly, and remarkably uncrowded.
The Warner Mountains dominate the forest’s eastern section near Alturas, providing dramatic scenery and excellent hiking opportunities. These peaks offer expansive views across the high desert plateau, with trails that wind through mixed conifer forests and alpine meadows. The volcanic geology means you’ll encounter lava tubes, cinder cones, and obsidian deposits throughout the forest.
Four campgrounds serve as base camps for exploration. Medicine Lake Recreation Area sits in a collapsed volcano caldera and provides access to some of the forest’s most striking volcanic features. Blue Lake Campground offers group camping options, while Lassen Creek Campground and Patterson Guard Station provide more secluded experiences for those seeking solitude.
Fishing draws anglers to the forest’s lakes and streams, where trout populations thrive in cold, clear waters. The area’s low visitor numbers mean you’re likely to have trails and fishing spots largely to yourself.
The best visiting season runs from late May through October, when roads are clear and campgrounds are accessible. Winter brings heavy snow to higher elevations, closing many forest roads. Alturas, the nearest city, provides supplies, lodging, and services about 30 miles from most recreation areas.
Bring a detailed map—cell service is limited throughout this wild, undeveloped landscape.
Explore Nearby
- Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in California
- Timbered Crater Wilderness Study Area — Public Land in California
- Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park — State Park in California
- McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park — State Park in California
- North Barber Creek Trail — Public Land in California