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About the Area
Come Visit Us!
The Modoc National Forest is perfect for campers, hikers, hunters, fishermen, mountain bikers, geologists, botanists and naturalists.
"The Smiles of Gods" is the enchanting moniker bestowed upon this sacred land by the Native Americans, the original settlers. This mystical forest derives its name from the county in which it predominantly resides, paying homage to the Modoc tribe, the indigenous people who once thrived here. Embarking on a journey through the captivating history of the Modoc National Forest, we trace its origins back to 1904 when President Theodore Roosevelt, heeding the pleas of local ranchers, designated it as a forest reserve.
Today, the Modoc National Forest stands as a beacon of collaboration and respect, actively engaging with federally recognized Tribes that share a profound cultural and historical connection to these lands. These Tribes, including the Pit River Tribe, the Alturas Rancheria, the Cedarville Rancheria of Northern Paiute, the Ft Bidwell Indian Community, the Modoc Nation of Oklahoma, and the Klamath Tribes, are invaluable partners in the management and preservation of the Modoc-administered lands.
Photo Tour of the Modoc National Forest
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Physical Setting
Separated from the more heavily populated and intensively used areas of the Sacramento Valley by the main Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, the Modoc lies in the extreme northeast corner of California. The topography is diverse, ranging from the forested Warner Mountain range in the east, to the high plateaus dominated by sage steppe and ancient lava flows around Alturas, and culminating at the Medicine Highlands in the west.
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Wildlife
The Modoc is home of more than 300 species of wildlife. The Pacific Flyway crosses directly over the area. During their migration from Alaska and Canada to Mexico, hundreds of thousands of waterfowl use local wetlands as rest stops. Rocky Mountain elk, wild horses, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope are some of the large, unique mammals that call the Modoc their home.
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Forest
The ponderosa pine and its sister, the Jeffrey pine, are the dominant trees of the Modoc. These pines cover the gentler slopes of the Warner Mountains, the entire western half of the Forest, the north end of the Devil’s Garden section, and the ranges extending south. Mixed in the stands of ponderosa and Jeffrey pine is white fir, which continues on to higher elevations than the pines.
Surprise Valley Chamber of Commerce
Modoc County Library - Links and Information about Modoc County and California.
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association
The River Center - Central Modoc Resource Conservation District.
The Art Center - Featuring local artists, exhibitions, sales and classes.
Modoc Record - Local Newspaper - Modoc NF Paper of Record.
Nearby Wildlife Areas and National Parks
Modoc National Wildlife Refuge - In Alturas, this is a great place for birding.
Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex - About an hour's drive, more birds and wildlife.
Lava Beds National Monument - Managed by the National Park Service, a fee area.
Lassen Volcanic National Park - Two hours south from Alturas, a fee area.
Crater Lake National Park - Three hours north from Alturas, a fee area.
National Forests Adjacent to the Modoc National Forest