Modoc Volcanic Scenic Byway — Lava Beds to Medicine Lake Highlands
Lava, obsidian, and no crowds. True Modoc country.
Most of California never finds Modoc County, and that’s exactly the point. This route threads north from Lava Beds National Monument — where Captain Jack and the Modoc warriors held off the U.S. Army through a winter of lava tube warfare in 1872-73 — up through Glass Mountain, an obsidian flow so massive and glittering it looks extraterrestrial, and onto the Medicine Lake Highlands plateau at over 7,000 feet. The caldera lake sits inside a shield volcano, surrounded by pumice flats and lodgepole pine. Side spurs drop into Burnt Lava Flow and Schonchin Butte for views across the entire Cascade-Modoc interface.
The main route is a confident high-clearance drive on graded gravel and maintained dirt — doable in a stock 4WD or capable AWV. Side spurs into the lava flows get rockier and require skid plates. Snow closes the highlands roads from November through May; always verify with the Modoc National Forest before running Medicine Lake in shoulder seasons. No fuel between Tulelake and McCloud — a 90-mile gap. Cell service is essentially nonexistent. Dispersed camping on Modoc National Forest land is free and wide open. Bring water, layers, and a willingness to go days without seeing another rig.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 72 mi / 115.9 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7600 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Tulelake, CA |
| Land manager | Modoc National Forest / Lava Beds National Monument (NPS) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma handle this route without any mods?
Yes — a stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle like a 4Runner, Tacoma, or Jeep Wrangler is the minimum and will handle this route fine under normal conditions. The dirt and gravel surface gets rough in spots but nothing requires a lift. Sharp volcanic rock is the real threat here, so run aired-down tires and carry a plug kit.
When does the road to Medicine Lake actually open after winter?
Typically late May to mid-June depending on snowpack, but the Medicine Lake Highlands section can hold snow well into June at 7,600 feet. Check with Modoc National Forest directly before heading out — Doublehead Ranger District at (530) 667-2246 will give you a real answer.
Do I need a permit to drive through Lava Beds National Monument or camp along this route?
Driving through Lava Beds NM requires the standard NPS entrance fee ($25/vehicle as of 2024, valid 7 days). Dispersed camping is available on the Modoc National Forest sections for free with no permit required — just follow the 14-day stay limit and camp 200 feet from water sources and roads.
What's the hardest section of this route and what should I actually expect?
The roughest terrain is in the Medicine Lake Highlands approaching the caldera rim, where the road turns to loose volcanic rock and embedded lava chunks that will punish your sidewalls if you're not careful. It's not technically difficult driving, but the rock is unforgiving and flat tires happen here regularly — carry two spares if you can.
There's zero cell service on this route — how far is the nearest gas from the Medicine Lake end?
From the Medicine Lake end, the nearest fuel is roughly 40 miles west in McCloud or about 50 miles north back through Tulelake. Top off in Tulelake before you start and again whenever you hit pavement — this is genuine fuel-range country and there are no bailout options mid-route.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.