Captain Jack's Stronghold

Captain Jack's Stronghold is an archaeological site in Lava Beds National Monument, California, where natural volcanic lava and rock formations contain numerous caves, trenches, and defensive positions. The landscape is broken and rocky, offering many hidden areas throughout the terrain.

The site became the center of the Modoc War in 1872-1873, when Captain Jack and roughly 50 Modoc warriors fought against hundreds of U.S. Army soldiers. The conflict arose from tensions over the removal of the Modoc people to a reservation.

The stronghold represents how the Modoc people fought to remain on their ancestral homelands. Visitors can see the physical evidence of their resolve to resist displacement.

Visitors can walk through the site by navigating between rock formations and cave openings, though the uneven ground requires sturdy footwear. The paths are not always marked, so it helps to learn about routes beforehand.

The natural lava tubes and rock crevices were cleverly used by Modoc warriors to move between positions without being seen by the besieging soldiers. These hidden passages gave the smaller group a tactical advantage against a much larger force.

Location: California

GPS coordinates: 41.82167,-121.50500

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:55