"Lava Beds National Monument" Top 5 Page for this destination Lava Beds National Monument by Tom_Fields

This is one of the most remote, desolate, yet fascinating places in California. There is nothing else to compare with the strange shapes and caves formed by the lava flows that occured centuries ago.

Desolate terrain east of the Lava Beds

Before you go to this place, be sure to tank up your vehicle. It won't hurt to have a spare gas can. There are NO towns nearby. The closest are Dorris and McCloud.

Captain Jack (right) and another Indian prisoner

The Modoc Indians were forcibly removed from this, their ancient tribal land, by the US government. In 1872, a group of Modocs, led by a man known as Captain Jack, returned--in defiance of Federal orders. There, they fought a guerilla war against the US Army.

After a hard, protracted campaign, a small band of die-hard Modocs withdrew to a natural strongpoint in the north of what is now Lava Beds National Monument. This place, now called Captain Jack's Stronghold, was their last redoubt. Following a months-long siege, they surrendered.

Captain Jack and a few other chiefs were tried for treason and, despite appeals for clemency, hanged. The other surviving Modocs were re-located to a reservation in Oklahoma. This was the only major Indian war fought in California.

• Pros:Beautiful, unspoiled, uncrowded
• Cons:A LONG way to travel
• In a nutshell:Way out of the way, but worth it