I love it here. I have visited many times. It is a place of solitude. Many visits here I never saw anyone but my family. There are many hiking trails and caves nearby. Also, there are petroglyphs here and there. If I stop and think about it I can smell the sweet smell of sage in late spring and hear the wind flowing by the juniper trees and rocks. It can be SO QUIET. See photo....last known photo of capt jack right before HE WAS HUNG. The history is interesting ----- Capt Jack otherwise known as Kintpuash was a Modoc Chief who had his family/tribal land taken from him and he returned hoping to just live out his life on the land his ancestors lived on --- and where he grew up. Instead he did amazing things to fend off the army and ended up hung. If you drive down through the lava beds you will see where Capt Jack aka Kintpuash unbelievably held off a large army with a small group of Native Americans. It is called "Capt Jack's Stronghold." I suggest you hike it early in the morning or late in the evening if it is summer time because I got heat stroke during a 90+ degree day when the lava made it about 110. This is from Wikipedia (so take it with a grain of salt) but the story lines up with what I know. Kintpuash was born about 1837 into a Modoc family in their ancestral territory near Tule Lake. The Modoc occupied about 5,000 acres here, along what became the California-Oregon border after European settlement. In 1864 Jack and his family still lived in their ancestral home near Tule Lake. Due to the pressure of white settlers who wanted to farm the fertile land and were encroaching in this territory, Kintpuash and his family were among the Modoc removed by the United States to the Klamath Reservation in southwestern Oregon. This was primarily occupied by their traditional rivals, the much larger Klamath tribe. The Klamath outnumbered the newcomers, and the reservation was on traditional Klamath land; the Modoc complained of poor treatment and conflict with the Klamath. In 1865, Kintpuash, by then informally called Captain Jack by American settlers, led a band of Modoc from the reservation back to their home in California. In 1869, the band were rounded up by the United States Army and returned to the Klamath Reservation. Finding conditions had not improved, in April 1870, Captain Jack led a band of about 180 Modoc back to the Tule Lake area. Modoc War, 1872-73 In 1872, US Army forces were sent to capture Kintpuash's band and return them to the reservation. On November 29, while their surrender was being negotiated at the Lost River in Oregon, fighting broke out between a soldier and one of the Modoc warriors. The brief Battle of Lost River ensued.

This is an amazing site. The location of the last American lndian battles. 60 men and their families held up here for months while being attacked by two garrisons of soldiers. They were resisting being shipped like cattle to another tribes reservation. During a parlay General Canby told the Indian council to surrender or he would slaughter them all, men, women and children. Captain Jack, a Modoc Chief pulled his pistol and shot Canby in the face, while telling him " you wont"

I've been coming here since I was a child but it had been many years, the wonder and history of this place is not lost on me, however the number posts could use some repair. Its a short easy hike that is definitely worth the visit. We also saw about 6 deer right at the end as the sun had started going down making it that much more special.

A visit and hike through this well documented site greatly expanded our knowledge of the Modoc conflict. The trail is well marked, easy to navigate and loaded with information. The rock formations, blended with the historical markers, made the time spent on the walk pass quickly. Great views and some stunning panoramas.

Took the shorter hike and there were still plenty of interesting relics of habation, the lake was at this elevation 150 years ago.

The coolest fort ever! A natural lava fortress that protected the rebel natives for the winter in the 1800s until the army cut their water supply. If it weren't for that they could still be there fighting. 🤔

Nice, pretty easy trail to hike on, with some very neat rock structures and terrain changes. We went when it was very smokey due to wildfires, but even then it was neat. Saw some deer hiding in the rocks as well which was fun!

If you are doing Lava Beds NM or Tule Lake, this is the place to stop for lunch or dinner. Food is really good and lovely atmosphere.

It was an amazing experience! Make sure to talk do research before you go , this place is full of history! Try to talk to the park rangers out there! They have tons of information and stories!

Really cool hike, but its long and hot as heck so bring sunscreen and water! Very informative, and there's even pamphlets near the parking are that help you understand the history. If you are trying to find Big Painted Cave, it's quite a hike, and the pictographs are very difficult to see and find, but don't give up! They are there! Keep your eyes peeled for them on the right hand entrance to the cave!

Interesting place. Good there was a board with the information on it. Awesome area. Great views and nice walk through the lava fields

Captain Jack's Stronghold is a nice loop trail in the Northern part of Lava Beds National Monument. It is about 3/4 mile long loop and was once an historic battleground. Some cool natural terrain that is similar to a fortress.

This place is awesome. It took me back in time. I really enjoyed exploring. Wasn't very busy which was nice.

Highly recommend the s place! Wow the chicken enchiladas were amazing. Fresh beans! So much care put into it. What a gem! A rare find! Thank you!