Explore the rich history of the tribes that have called Klamath home since time immemorial.
The Klamath, Yahooskin and Modoc groups have lived in the Klamath Basin since time immemorial—fishing in the region's waterways, hunting in its forests and meadows, and gathering plants, berries, and other items for sustenance. Today, those groups make up the Klamath Tribes, one of nine federally recognized Indigenous Nations in Oregon.
If you’re interested in learning about the tribes—their rich history, vibrant present, and exciting future—you’ll find plenty of opportunities for doing so across Klamath. In some cases, that means paddling past wocus plants, long an important source of food for the Klamath and Modoc peoples, on the Upper Klamath Canoe Trail. In other instances, that means exploring cozy museums, listening to engaging audio tours, and visiting the national monument that played a key role in the Modoc War of 1872-1873. However you like to explore, here are a few fascinating ways to learn about Native American history in Klamath.
ACTIVITIES
National Parks
Family Fun
History
Cultural Attractions
SEASONS
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Visit Lava Beds National Monument
Experience Modoc history in a variety of ways across the Lava Beds
At the southern edge of the Klamath Basin, Lava Beds National Monument is most famous for the caves and lava tubes beneath its surface—but the rocky region has been an important place for local tribes going back millennia.
Start with a trip to the visitor center at Lava Beds—which explores, among other things, the culture of the Modoc People through artifacts and exhibits.
Away from the visitor center, a few trails shed light on Modoc history in the area. The 1.5-mile Captain Jacks Stronghold Trail takes hikers into the heart of a lava flow where the Modoc people camped in winter during the Modoc War of 1872-73—withstanding frigid conditions and U.S. Army attacks for several months. You can also view rock art, some of which is more than 6,000 years old, at Petroglyph Point—home to more than 5,000 individual carvings.
If your adventures take you underground, learn about the top caves at Lava Beds National Monument.
Listen to the Modoc War Audio Tour
Driving tour takes visitors through key moments in Modoc history
In 2019, several Klamath Basin organizations teamed up to release The Modoc War: A Homeland Lost—a two-hour audio tour that takes drivers into the heart of Modoc history.
The free tour is narrated by Cheewa James, a local author whose great-grandfather was a warrior in the Modoc War of 1872-73. The narrated experience, which covers a route that spans roughly 60 miles across the southern Klamath Basin, brings to life the story of the Modoc people who have lived in the area for generations, whose homelands were brutally taken, and who continue to share their culture and heritage today. Learn more about the Modoc War audio tour.
Check Out the Merrill Historical and Modoc War Museum
Small, yet poignant museum details the Modoc War of 1872-73
The fascinating Merrill Historical and Modoc War Museum resides within City Hall in the community of Merrill—and covers a wide swath of regional history.
A large portion of the museum covers the Modoc War of 1872-73, which is described through interpretive panels, photographs, and artifacts. The exhibit shares the rich history of the Modoc people, details the struggles and resilience of the group, and provides insight on the war that changed the course of regional history.
You'll also find a section of the museum dedicated to local figures like Carl Barks, who's most famous for creating the cartoon character Scrooge McDuck. And if you’re excited to keep learning about local and regional history, get started with the best museums in Klamath.
Browse Artifacts at the Favell Museum
Artwork, tools, and more showcase generations of history
Just across the Link River from downtown Klamath Falls sits the Favell Museum. The powerful attraction has earned acclaim over the years for hosting a collection of tools, beadwork, pottery, arrowheads, and other artifacts from Indigenous peoples throughout North and South America—with a special focus on the Klamath Tribes.
Each collection is arranged by culture, providing additional context, a sense of history, and the various ways that members of each tribe used those items. Visitors can also browse an extensive selection of Native American and Western art and an ever-changing lineup of rotating exhibits. After your visit, head across the Link River and check out the top things to do in downtown Klamath Falls.
