Nature
Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, established on January 14, 2025, protects 224,676 acres in the Medicine Lake Highlands of northern California. Named from the Achomawi word for “obsidian place,” it encompasses Medicine Lake Volcano and surrounding highlands in the Klamath, Shasta–Trinity, and Modoc national forests. The volcanic landscape includes cinder cones, lava fields, giant aquifers, and Giant Crater’s lava tube system, while also safeguarding water supplies for downstream communities. The Pit River Tribe strongly supported protection and opposed geothermal development there. Created by President Joe Biden under the Antiquities Act with co-stewardship envisioned with Tribal Nations, the designation soon entered broader political debate over public lands and energy development.
Hear stories like this as you drive
ExploreHere reads historical markers out loud as you pass them: over 325,000 stories across the US. No account needed.
4.7 · 800+ ratings · Free
FIND IT
California · United States
