Two miles south of Alturas, the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge spreads across roughly 7,000 acres of seasonal wetlands, sagebrush uplands, and marsh along the Pit River. It is managed primarily for migratory birds and is one of the better wildlife-watching spots in the northeastern corner of California — a part of the state that most people never see.
The best times to visit are spring and autumn, when migratory waterfowl and shorebirds are moving through. Pronghorn antelope and mule deer are present year-round and frequently visible from the refuge's access roads. A self-guided auto tour route allows you to cover much of the refuge without getting out of the car — useful in winter when the ground is wet. Sandhill cranes nest here and can occasionally be spotted in the grain fields near the refuge boundary. Bring binoculars; the distances here are wide.