Alturas to Surprise Valley Scenic Road Trip: A 2026 Planning Guide
The drive from Alturas to Surprise Valley is short enough to fit into a day but varied enough to feel like a much larger journey. State Route 299 climbs from the Modoc County seat through the Warner Mountains, crosses Cedar Pass, and drops into a broad Great Basin valley framed by mountains, ranchland, alkaline lakes, […]
Best Stargazing Locations in Modoc County: 2026 Dark Sky Guide
Modoc County is one of California’s strongest regions for travelers who want wide horizons, limited artificial light, and long nights under the Milky Way. The county’s sparse population, remote public lands, volcanic plateaus, mountain lakes, and high-desert valleys create excellent conditions for viewing stars, planets, satellites, and meteor showers when skies are clear. Good stargazing […]
South Warner Wilderness Hiking and Camping Guide 2026
The South Warner Wilderness rises above the high-desert valleys of eastern Modoc County with alpine basins, forested slopes, rocky ridges, mountain lakes, and long views across northeastern California. It is quieter than many California wilderness areas, but that solitude comes with a trade-off: trailheads are remote, services are limited, and help may be hours away. […]
Modoc National Wildlife Refuge Sandhill Crane Migration Guide 2026
Sandhill cranes are among the most memorable seasonal visitors to Modoc County. Their rolling calls can carry across open wetlands before the birds come into view, and their tall gray shapes are easy to recognize as they forage in shallow water, cross wet meadows, or circle above the refuge. For travelers planning a late-summer or […]
Sáttítla Highlands and Medicine Lake Travel Guide 2026
Sáttítla Highlands National Monument protects one of Northern California’s most remarkable volcanic landscapes. Centered on the upper elevations of Medicine Lake Volcano, this remote region contains deep forests, young lava flows, obsidian formations, cinder cones, clear mountain lakes, lava tubes, campgrounds, scenic roads, and exceptionally dark night skies. The national monument was designated in January […]
Lava Beds National Monument Cave Guide 2026: Best Caves, Closures, and Safety Tips
Lava Beds National Monument cave guide is one of northeastern California’s most unusual outdoor destinations. Beneath its open sagebrush landscape is a network of lava-tube caves formed by repeated eruptions of Medicine Lake Volcano. The result is a place where travelers can spend the morning walking across black volcanic terrain and the afternoon exploring underground […]