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Recreation
Framed by distinctive geology and views of a timeless landscape, the Modoc National Forest is a place where solitude and recreation come together connecting people to the land and the past. These ecosystems with their rich habitat create abundant opportunities for recreation around water, wildlife viewing, fishing and hunting.
A network of scenic drives provide local communities and growing urban areas easy access to a rich heritage of land use and culture, from Native Americans to present day ranching. In concert with communities, the forest provides learning opportunities that invite visitors to stay, enjoy, and care for the forest in ways that maintain this remote, quiet character.
This website should help you plan your visit to the Forest. Navigate by choosing your planned recreational activity in the above menu. If you have a favorite area in mind, the current status of the campgrounds is listed in the table below with a link to more information. Also be sure to look at the Alerts & Notices page to view any emergency closures or other information that might affect your visit.
Other than 16 sites at Medicine Lake and one group site at Blue Lake campsites on the Modoc National Forest are first come, first served with a 14-day limit.
Current Recreation Conditions
| Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Ash Creek Campground | Open | 6/14/2024: No drinking water or trash service, pack it in pack it out. |
| Bear Camp Flat Trailhead | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Big Sage Boating Site | Open | |
| Big Sage Campground | Open | |
| Blanche Lake Campground | Closed | *10/30/2024: Winter weather warning! There is snow on the ground and more snow is expected to come. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. |
| Blue Lake Boating Site | Open | 1/15/2025:Winter safety warning! There is snow on the ground. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. |
| Blue Lake Campground | Open | 1/15/2025:Winter safety warning! There is snow on the ground. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. |
| Bullseye Lake Campground | Closed | *10/30/2024: Winter weather warning! There is snow on the ground and more snow is expected to come. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. |
| Cave Lake Boating Site | Open | 1/15/2025:Winter safety warning! There is snow on the ground. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. |
| Cave Lake Campground | Open | 1/15/2025:Winter safety warning! There is snow on the ground. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. |
| Cedar Creek Lower Trailhead | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a Nordic Trail during the winter months, snow travel only. There is no maintenance to this trail in the winter. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Cedar Creek Upper Trailhead | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a Nordic Trail during the winter months, snow travel only. There is no maintenance to this trail in the winter. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Cedar Pass Campground | Closed | No water available at campsites bring your own drinking water. |
| Cedar Pass Snow Park | None | 10/25/2024: Looking forward to the 2024 & 2025 season! |
| Cottonwood Flat Campground | Open | |
| Doorknob Warming Hut Snowpark | Open | Open all year. |
| Duncan North Boating Site | Open | |
| Duncan South Boating Site | Open | |
| East Creek Campground | None | 10/16/2024: Water systems are off, and water is no longer available for the season! |
| East Creek Trailhead | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Emerson Campground | Open | |
| Green Springs Boating Site | Open | |
| Howard's Gulch Campground | Closed | 10/30/2024: Closed for the winter season, anticipated reopening May 1st 2025. |
| Jane's Reservoir Boating Site | Open | |
| Jane's Reservoir Campground | Open | |
| Lassen Creek Campground | None | |
| Lava Camp Campground | Open | |
| Lily Lake Boating Site | Open | 1/15/2025:Winter safety warning! There is snow on the ground. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. |
| Lily Lake Picnic Site | Open | 1/15/2025:Winter safety warning! There is snow on the ground. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. |
| Little Medicine Lake Picnic Site | Closed | *10/30/2024: Winter weather warning! There is snow on the ground and more snow is expected to come. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. |
| Logan Slough Boating Site | Open | Access road 45N06 seasonal closure between December 1st and April 30th 36 CFR 261.13 |
| Lower Rush Creek Campground | Open | |
| Medicine Lake Recreation Area | Closed | *10/30/2024: Winter weather warning! There is snow on the ground and more snow is expected to come. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. |
| Middle Fork Davis Creek Mine | Closed | 9/3/2024 The obsidian season for the collection of obsidian is closed for 2024. Please contact The Modoc National Forest Supervisors Office 225 W. 8th St. Alturas, CA 96101 if you have any questions or call 530-233-5811. We are open from 8:00am - 4:30pm Closed for lunch 12:00 - 12:30 Monday - Friday |
| Mill Creek Falls Campground | Open | 10/25/2024: Water systems are off, and water is no longer available for the season! |
| Mill Creek Trail | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Modoc Backcountry Discovery Trail | None | Portions of this motorized route have seasonal closures during winter. Users must consult a Motor Vehicle Use Map to identify these areas. |
| North Emerson Trailhead | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Obsidian Needles Mine | Closed | 9/3/2024 The obsidian season for the collection of obsidian is closed for 2024. Please contact The Modoc National Forest Supervisors Office 225 W. 8th St. Alturas, CA 96101 if you have any questions or call 530-233-5811. We are open from 8:00am - 4:30pm Closed for lunch 12:00 - 12:30 Monday - Friday |
| Owl Creek Trail | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Patterson Campground | Open | 10/16/2024: Water systems are off, and water is no longer available for the season! |
| Patterson Guard Station | Closed | 10/28/2024: Water systems are off, and water is no longer available for the season! Visit rec.gov to book your stay for the 2025 season. Reservable dates become available 6-months in advance. |
| Payne Springs Campground | Closed | *10/30/2024: Winter weather warning! There is snow on the ground and more snow is expected to come. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. |
| Pepperdine Campground | Open | 10/16/2024: Water systems are off, and water is no longer available for the season! |
| Pepperdine Equestrian Campground | Open | 10/16/2024: Water systems are off, and water is no longer available for the season! |
| Pepperdine Trailhead | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Pine Creek Trailhead | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Pink Lady Mine | Closed | 9/3/2024 The obsidian season for the collection of obsidian is closed for 2024. Please contact The Modoc National Forest Supervisors Office 225 W. 8th St. Alturas, CA 96101 if you have any questions or call 530-233-5811. We are open from 8:00am - 4:30pm Closed for lunch 12:00 - 12:30 Monday - Friday |
| Pit River Trailhead | Open | 11/20/2024: Our trails crew has done a lot of work on this trail recently. Pit River Trail is clear to the first major rock outcrop next to the river, approximately 1.5 miles. |
| Plum Valley Campground | Open | |
| Poison Flat Trail | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Rainbow Mine | Closed | 9/3/2024 The obsidian season for the collection of obsidian is closed for 2024. Please contact The Modoc National Forest Supervisors Office 225 W. 8th St. Alturas, CA 96101 if you have any questions or call 530-233-5811. We are open from 8:00am - 4:30pm Closed for lunch 12:00 - 12:30 Monday - Friday |
| Red Tail Rim Trail North Trailhead | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a Nordic Trail during the winter months, snow travel only. There is no maintenance to this trail in the winter. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Red Tail Rim Trail South Trailhead | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a Nordic Trail during the winter months, snow travel only. There is no maintenance to this trail in the winter. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to these trails is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Reservoir C Boating Site | Open | |
| Reservoir C Campground | Open | |
| Reservoir F Boating Site | Open | |
| Reservoir F Campground | Open | |
| Schonchin Springs Campground | Closed | *10/30/2024: Winter weather warning! There is snow on the ground and more snow is expected to come. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. |
| Slide Creek Trail | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Soup Springs Campground | Open | 10/16/2024: Water systems are off, and water is no longer available for the season!
This campground has reopened after being closed for 13 months. Corrals are not useable at this time. |
| Soup Springs Trailhead | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| South Emerson Trailhead | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Stough Reservoir Campground | Open | 10/25/2024: Water systems are off, and water is no longer available for the season! |
| Summit Trail | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Tom Smith Trail | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Upper Cottonwood Trail | None | 11/19/2024: Winter Safety Warning! This is a snow travel only trail during the winter months. This is a foot traffic only trail, there is no maintenance to the trail in the wintertime. Trails are accessible by snowshoes or skis. Maintenance on the roads to this trail is not guaranteed. Please use caution and stay safe. |
| Upper Rush Creek Campground | Closed | *11/18/2024: Winter weather warning! There is snow on the ground and more snow is expected to come. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. |
| Willow Creek Campground | Closed | *11/18/2024: Winter weather warning! There is snow on the ground and more snow is expected to come. It is not recommended to access this area by vehicle for your safety due to winter conditions. There is no water or trash service. *Following a motor vehicle accident into Willow Creek off Highway 139 southeast of Adin. Visitors to that area are advised to avoid letting pets, animals, or themselves come in contact with the water within a half-mile radius on either side of the campground. The Forest Service is working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other relevant agencies to coordinate the cleanup efforts associated with the accident. |
| Willow Creek Picnic Site | Open | 11/18/2024: Following a motor vehicle accident into Willow Creek off Highway 139 southeast of Adin. Visitors to that area are advised to avoid letting pets, animals, or themselves come in contact with the water within a half-mile radius on either side of the picnic area. The Forest Service is working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other relevant agencies to coordinate the cleanup efforts associated with the accident. *No drinking water or trash service, pack it in pack it out, open all year! |