Crossroads of California

The Forest lies at the heart of one of the most fascinating areas of California, called the Crossroads. Here the granite of the Sierra Nevada, the lava of the Cascades and the Modoc Plateau, and the sagebrush of the Great Basin meet and blend.

Lassen National Forest is a total of 1.2 million acres or 1,875 square miles. It lies within seven counties; Lassen, Shasta, Tehama, Butte, Plumas, Siskiyou, and Modoc.

The lands that make up the Lassen National Forest were home to many Native Americans long before recorded history, and these peoples still live and work in the surrounding areas. They were removed from their traditional homelands starting in the mid-1800s, and remained largely homeless until a series of appropriations were passed between 1906 and 1910 that provided funds to purchase small tracts of land in central and northern California for landless Indians of those areas, resulting in the Rancheria System in California. These Rancherias did not maintain the integrity of the existing tribes, and instead put any Native Americans in a geographic area together, regardless of their tribal identity. Many of these Rancherias still exist in the form of both federally and non- federally recognized tribes, and include the Greenville Rancheria, Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, Pit River Tribe, Redding Rancheria, Susanville Indian Rancheria, Reno Sparks Indian Colony, Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada, Mooretown Rancheria, Maidu Summit Consortium and Conservancy, Tasmam Koyom Foundation, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, and the Hanylekim/Honey Lake Maidu. These Rancherias typically are made up of members of multiple tribes, including but not limited to: The 11 autonomous bands of the Pit River Tribe, the Northern, Central, and Southern Yana, Maidu, Paiute, Washoe, Wintu, Shoshone, and the Nomlaki. The Yahi Yana were also once present on Lassen National Forest lands, but the last surviving member of that tribe - Ishi - died in 1916. 

It is an area of great variety, greeting visitors and residents alike with a wide array of recreational opportunities and adventures. Fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, bicycling, boating, snowmobiling,cross-country skiing, and just exploring and learning about nature are among the many popular pastimes.

Within the Lassen National Forest you can explore a lava tube or the land of Ishi, the last survivor of the Yahi Yana Native American tribe; watch pronghorn antelope glide across sage flats or an osprey snatch fish from lake waters; drive four-wheel trails into high granite country appointed with sapphire lakes or discover spring wildflowers on foot.

The Lassen National Forest is managed for all of these and more - timber for homes, forage for livestock, water, minerals, and many other resources the land offers. It is a challenging mission aimed at providing the greatest good for the most good over the long run. We welcome you to the Lassen National Forest. We hope you will find your visit memorable and enjoyable.