The Long Way
Siskiyou County
Children play in the sand on a lakeshore with a forest in the background.
Plate I. Sandy shore at Medicine Lake swim beach. From mybackyardandbeyond.com
Two children play in the sand on a beach next to a lake.
Plate II. Children playing on Medicine Lake swim beach. From mybackyardandbeyond.com
A man swims in a lake with a sandy shore and pine trees behind it.
Plate III. Swimmer at Medicine Lake swim beach. From mybackyardandbeyond.com
A sandy beach next to a calm lake with a forest on the opposite shore under a clear sky.
Plate IV. Sandy shoreline at Medicine Lake swim beach. From mybackyardandbeyond.com
A rocky shore beside a lake with trees and distant mountains.
Plate V. Shoreline of Medicine Lake swim beach. From mybackyardandbeyond.com
A sandy area and grassy strip lead up to a forest with tall pine trees and picnic tables.
Plate VI. Picnic area near Medicine Lake swim beach. From mybackyardandbeyond.com

Medicine Lake swim beach

Medicine Lake, Siskiyou County, California. Designated swimming area.

Details

Map. Medicine Lake, Siskiyou County, California. Larger map
Where
Medicine Lake, Siskiyou County, CA. No street address stated. Directions
When
The day use area closes at 10 pm.
Season
Traditionally open from July 1st - October.
Getting there
From Tulelake take US Hwy 139 south for 21 miles to Forest Service Road 97. Turn right on Road 97 and go 24 miles turning right on Road 49. Drive 2 more miles turning left into the entrance of Medicine Lake Recreation Area.
Fees
$5/vehicle for boat ramp and swim beach day use area.
Access
Last updated October 1, 2026; Site Open.
Phone
(530) 233-5811
Managed by
Doublehead Ranger District.
Coordinates
41.58584, -121.58557.

The popular Medicine Lake Recreation Area and adjacent Medicine Lake are located in the Medicine Lake Highlands in northeastern California. The Recreation Area is located in the Modoc National Forest at an elevation of 6,770 feet.

Notable Events

  1. 1965NASA used Pumice Crater to train Apollo astronauts in collecting and identifying lunar-like geology. fs.usda.gov
  2. 1999A portion of Sáttítla was designated as a Traditional Cultural Property District. fs.usda.gov
  3. 2025President Biden announced the designation of Sáttítla Highlands National Monument. fs.usda.gov
  4. The area contains evidence of human occupancy dating back at least 5,000 years. fs.usda.gov

Sources

  1. fs.usda.gov/r05/modoc/recreation/medicine-lake-recreation-area
  2. facebook.com/ModocNF
  3. fs.usda.gov/r05/modoc/recreation/medicine-lake-recreation-area
  4. usgs.gov/volcanoes/medicine-lake/science/geology-and-history
  5. usgs.gov/volcanoes/medicine-lake/science/geology-and-history-medicine-lake
  6. usgs.gov/volcanoes/medicine-lake/science/medicine-lake-caldera
  7. fs.usda.gov/visit/national-monuments/sattitla-highlands-national-monument