Modoc County could be called "The land that Californians have forgotten." It is rich in Indian lore, unparalleled scenic beauty, abundant natural resources, and for those 21st century Californians looking for a quiet, calm lifestyle, the place to go. Modoc County is located in th extreme northeast corner of California. Bordered by both Oregon and Nevada, combining a fabulous four-season climate, it is rich with natural resources and a colorful Wild West history. With less than 10,000 residents, it is the place for those seeking an unspoiled setting for a family vacation or a potential new home for those looking for way to drop out of our hectic civilization.

Modoc County has over a million of the most unspoiled acres in the state of California. Modoc's high desert climate makes for warm dry summers, perfect weather for a vacation getaway.  Seventy percent of the county is publicly owned forest and wilderness and is open year round to camping, fishing, hunting, cross-country and downhill skiing, snow boarding, hiking, back packing and other outdoor pursuits. Truly a land of varied terrain it includes one of California's most beautiful mountain ranges, the Warner Mountains as well as a variety of lakes, streams and high desert. You can still visit turn-of-the-century towns, ranches, and farmlands. Modoc County is often called the place "Where the West Still Lives" and has often been compared to Montana as its lifestyle is certainly not shared by the rest of California.

Abundant marshes, forests, plains, and lakes provide habitat for a variety of wildlife in Modoc County. The Modoc National Wildlife Refuge lies mostly to the south of Alturas and covers thousands of acres of hunting, fishing and observational grounds. Its twofold purpose is to protect wildlife and to educate the public; creating a perfect place to visit for the day, or to return to each season. In the Spring, bald eagles and golden eagles have been sighted in increasing numbers. Modoc County is inhabited in the Spring and Fall by Canadian geese and other waterfowl, including mallard, teal, widgeon, and pintail.

Modoc is where the action is for hunting and fishing. There are more than 250 miles of trout streams and over 4,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs containing trophy size rainbow and brown trout. Mule deer, the most cherished trophy by many outdoorsmen, and antelope are common and attract hunters from all over the west. There is unexcelled duck and goose hunting, as areas in Modoc County are used as a resting and feeding site for one of the west's most prolific migratory bird flyways.

The Modoc National Forest has 20 improved campgrounds with almost 300 family camping sites available within the county. The Forest Service recreational facilities provide both camping for summer family vacationers, as well as hunters and outdoorsmen looking for facilities to use during the hunting season. Modoc County is geologically a rather new area and is of volcanic origin. Rock hunters can enjoy collecting varied colors of obsidian (volcanic glass), as well as jasper, agates, petrified wood, and other interesting rocks in many parts of Modoc National Forest. It is truly a land of geologic diversity and such places as Lava Beds National Monument should not be missed.

Alturas, the county seat for Modoc lies in the broad valley of the Pit River near the center of the county. The city is located at the junction of Hwys 395 and 299, and is commonly the route for those heading from Canada, Washington, and Oregon into the warmer climates of Nevada and Arizona in the Fall months.

The Native Americans who lived in this area called the land "The Smiles of God." Around 1870, two brothers with the last name of Dorris settled and named the town Dorris Bridge. In 1876 the town was renamed Alturas, which in Spanish is "Valley on Top of the Mountain." The Nevada, California, Oregon Railroad was a major part of the early settlement and recently the city of Alturas purchased a 103-acre site for the development of a future railroad museum and gift shop.

Alturas serves as the commercial center for northeastern California and has a variety of restaurants and motels for those hoping to center their vacation in Modoc County. The Historic Niles Hotel is one of the oldest in the West still in continuous operation under the same name on the same site--since 1908.  The Modoc County Historical Museum located in Alturas provides some of the best exhibits related to early pioneering families of Modoc County, as well as one of Northern California's best antique gun collections.

The Warner Mountains to the east of Alturas make up a major portion of Modoc National Forest. The Warner Mountains offer an exciting variety of fresh and cool mountain air, unique scenery, pristine wilderness, abundant wildlife, and unparalleled recreation opportunities. The mountain range provides great fishing, hunting, and camping opportunities, as well as numerous trails for hiking, horseback riding and backcountry backpacking. The South Warner Wilderness is also located in the Warner Mountains and provides a unique getaway for those willing to leave civilization behind. Other areas of the county, which are worth noting, are Surprise Valley, Jess Valley and Fandango Pass. Surprise Valley and Jess Valley are still considered some of the best ranching valleys in Northern California and many of the first settlers still have descendents ranching the land they homesteaded back in the 1800's. Cedarville, which is centrally located in Surprise Valley, is the home of the Modoc District Fairgrounds. A small mythical town has been reconstructed on the fairgrounds and is called "Louisville." Louisville is a collection of log cabins and old buildings which include a slaughterhouse, schoolhouse, water tower, the old Fort Bidwell Jail, the old Eagleville Jail, a cabin built by one of the first settlers in Cedarville, as well as an old workshop, a church, and a two-seater outhouse. This reconstructed town provides an opportunity to visualize what early life for settlers was like.

Fandango Pass is located between Surprise Valley and Goose Lake Valley in the Warner Mountains. Fandango Pass is the scene of one of the worst Indian massacres in the early 1800's. A large wagon train entering California saw the waters of Goose Lake and thought they were the waters of the Pacific Ocean. They stopped to celebrate with what was a common dance called the "Fandango." Indians swept down during the dancing wiping the wagon train out. This is just a sample of the rich lore that awaits those wishing to get off the beaten path and visit Modoc County. Step back into the time when ranching was an important way of American life and see how easy it is to be drawn into this bygone era of the west.