Discover Native Siskiyou

Visit California recently launched a campaign that celebrates the diverse voices of Native American tribes in the state through Visit Native California. The rich history of our region was shaped by the vibrant communities of Native people that still live and exist in modern Siskiyou today. We invite visitors to explore our regionโ€™s native lands and learn about its cultural heritage.

SOUTH: McCloud Falls and the Wintu

McCloud Falls is a favorite destination for visitors to Siskiyou. This area was once home to the Shasta, Pit River and Wintu tribes. The Wenim-mem-wintu, which translates to middle water people, are the people who, for 1,300 years, could be found living along the banks of the upper McCloud River. The Wintu would travel each spring-fall to the McCloud Falls area to hunt elk, fish for rainbow trout and salmon, collect medicinal plants and fresh water.ย They also traveled to Glass Mountain and Medicine Lake to source obsidian for their glass arrowheads and to use as currency for trading. You can visit all these places in Siskiyou still today.

NORTH: Rain Rock and the Karuk

In 2018, the Karuk Tribe proudly opened the Rain Rock Casino in Yreka, along the I-5 corridor. They have 349 slots and feature 8 different gaming tables on the property. Gamers will soon be able to enjoy a 43,000 square-foot expansion that will include additional gaming space, hotel rooms, cottages, an events center, pool, hot tubs and waterfalls. The expansion is currently under construction. The casino gets its name from Rain Rocks, which are pitted boulders covered in depressions that are used to control rainfall. Mythology tells that uncovering a rain rock would encourage rain to fall, and covering would halt the rain. You can see a real rain rock to this day outside of the Fort Jones Museum.

EAST: Lava Beds National Monument and the Modoc

About 90 miles northeast of Mt Shasta lies the Lava Beds National Monument, the ancestral territory of the Modoc people and historical site of the Modoc War. This war was a series of skirmishes in 1872-73 where 55 Modoc warriors held off as many as 1,000 Army soldiers without losing a battle. This area is also home to one of the largest panels of Native Americanย rock artย in the United States. An interpretive trail gives access to Petroglyph Point, where ancient carvings are displayed along the face of an island on the now-dry,ย Tule Lake. The petroglyphs are estimated to be as old as 6,000 years.

BONUS: Experience a free GPS-enabled immersive audio tour about the Modoc War that allows listeners to drive the path of the war. To complete the tour, download the VoiceMapTM mobile app (compatible with both Android and iOS), search forย The Modoc War: A Homeland Lost,ย download the tour route to mobile device, then follow step by step instructions in the app.

WEST: The Peopleโ€™s Center Museum and the Karuk

Opened in September 2002, the Karuk People’s Center is a 5,000 square foot facility in Happy Camp, that includes an exhibition gallery, a gift shop, a Basketweaving classroom, a library, a collection storage area, and the Karuk Language Program Office. The name โ€˜Karukโ€™ translates to โ€œupriver.โ€ The Karuk tribe resided in villages along the Klamath River, where they continue such cultural traditions as hunting, gathering, fishing, basketmaking and ceremonial dances today. They are one of the largest tribes in California and are headquartered in Happy Camp.

Sources:

Wintu Tribe Of Northern California โ€“ Indigenous Historic Tribe

Winnemem Wintu – Wikipedia

Wintun Tribe: Facts, Clothes, Food and History *** (warpaths2peacepipes.com)

Rain Rock Casino โ€“ It All Begins With You

Ishumpi Rain Rock (dotycoyote.com)

Fort Jones Museum

Lava Beds National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Modoc people – Wikipedia

Home – Modoc Nation – Culture. Heritage. Family.

Petroglyph Point Trail (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Karuk Tribe

Karuk language – Wikipedia

Karuk Tribe – Wikipedia

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There's still time to vote! t๐ŸŽธ๐ŸŽต๐ŸŽค

๐Ÿ—ณ Text YREKA to 877-409-5525 or vote online at the link in our bio!

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โœจ The stars shine brighter in Siskiyou.

With low light pollution and wide-open skies, our region offers some of the best stargazing in California. Bring a blanket, look up, and lose yourself in the magic of the cosmos. ๐ŸŒ 

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Have you voted yet? Text YREKA to 877-409-5525

๐Ÿ—ณ Voting closes Sept. 15. Help us bring more live music to Yreka's Miner Street Park! ๐ŸŽถ

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๐ŸŽถ Help us bring more live music to Yreka! ๐ŸŽถ

We're in the running for a Levitt AMP Music Series Grant, and we need YOUR vote to make it happen! ๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธโœจ

๐Ÿ‘‰ Vote at www.vote.levitt.org or text YREKA to 877-409-5525
๐Ÿ“… Voting open Sept. 5โ€“15
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Shaped by fire and time, Siskiyou is home to some of the most fascinating volcanic landscapes in the American West ๐ŸŒ‹ From the towering majesty of Mt. Shasta to the surreal lava tubes of Lava Beds National Monument and the bubbling caldera of Medicine Lake, Siskiyou invites you to explore a world where geology and beauty collide.

Our top picks? @lavabedsnps,  Medicine Lake/Glass Mountain, Black Butte, and Captain Jack's Stronghold

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๐ŸŽถ YREKA NEEDS YOUR VOTE! ๐ŸŽถ

Help bring more FREE summer concerts to our community!

We're in the running for a Levitt AMP Music Series grant, and public voting opens this Friday. If we win, we will be able to expand the Yreka Summer Concerts in the Parks for the next three seasons, adding more shows and booking bigger bands! ๐ŸŽค๐ŸŒž๐ŸŽธ

๐Ÿ—ณ Mark your calendar: Voting opens FRIDAY!
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Labor Day Weekend = one last summer adventure. โ˜€๏ธโ›ฐ๏ธ From lakes to trails, Siskiyouโ€™s the place to savor every mom#peaceofmind 

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Still soaking up summer? Us too. ๐Ÿ˜Ž But trust usโ€”fall in Siskiyou is worth planning ahead for. Golden trails, cozy nights, and mountain views are waiting. Link in bio for our top five spots to find fall color in Siskiyou ๐Ÿ”๏ธ๐Ÿ 

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Trail to the sky. โ›ฐ๏ธโœจ Hiking Castle Crags State Park means big views, fresh air, and feeling on top of the world. 

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โœจSURPRISE ENCORE SHOW!โœจ

Just when you thought the Yreka Summer Concert Series was overโ€ฆ weโ€™ve got one more night of free music for you! ๐ŸŽถ

Join us for a special encore concert on Friday, 9/12 at Miner Street Park as we celebrate community, live music, and our chance to bring even more free concerts to Yreka in 2026-2028!

๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ We are in the running to receive a Levitt AMP Music Series Grant, which would allow us to expand the Yreka summer concert series over the next three years. We have advanced to the semifinals round, which is PUBLIC VOTING from Sept. 5-15. 

We'll share the voting link when it's live! For now, spread the word about this special encore concert and let's rally together - Yreka deserves it. ๐Ÿ’›

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๐ŸŽถ Don't miss the final Yreka Summer Concert in the Park! ๐ŸŽถ

This Friday, August 1, wrap up the season with a sunset performance by the Seth Charles Band โ€” known for their soulful blend of rock, blues, and Americana vibes. Bring your lawn chairs, pack a picnic (or grab local eats from a variety of vendors at the show), and enjoy one last evening of live music under the Siskiyou sky. ๐ŸŒ„๐ŸŽธ

๐Ÿ“ Miner Street Park, Yreka
๐Ÿ•• Music starts at 6:30 PM
๐Ÿ’ƒ Free & family-friendly!

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๐ŸŒฟ Tucked just off the highway in Dunsmuir lies a little slice of magic โ€” Hedge Creek Falls! This easy walk leads to a waterfall you can literally walk behind, with mist on your face and views of Mt. Shasta peeking through the trees. A perfect quick stop that feels like a secret. ๐Ÿ’ฆโœจ

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