Trading History in the Historic Center

The Cressler and Bonner Trading Post provides a specific point of reference for Cedarville’s early history: it was the first trading business in Modoc County and was located in the first building constructed in Cedarville. Its significance is twofold, at different scales: the trading business is associated with Modoc County, while the building is part of Cedarville’s building history. Buildings in the Old West style have also been preserved in the historic town center. Thus, an early trading connection and the preserved appearance of the center stand side by side as two distinct points of reference.

The CalVada History Foundation is dedicated to collecting and preserving the history of Surprise Valley. The Modoc District Fairgrounds were established in Cedarville in 1933. The Modoc Heritage Foundation continues the Modoc District Fair as an annual tradition. This distinguishes historical connections to the town and valley from a recurring event in the annual calendar. If you would like to plan your trip around the fair, check the organizer’s upcoming dates.

Surprise Valley and the Warner Mountains

Surprise Valley is a high-elevation desert valley bordered to the west by California’s Warner Mountains and to the east by Nevada’s Hays Canyon Range. The named mountain ranges give the valley a clear west-to-east orientation. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing this regional landscape from individual activities. The Warner Mountains near Cedarville offer opportunities for hiking, photography, and scenic drives. The landscape description therefore provides a regional perspective, while the activities listed are specifically associated with the Warner Mountains near Cedarville.

The three options appeal to different interests: hiking emphasizes getting around on foot, photography focuses on the subject, and scenic drives on the route. You can therefore choose your focus—walking, photography, or a scenic drive—instead of treating the activities as interchangeable.

A Scenic Loop from Cedarville

The Barrel Springs Back Country Byway runs north from Cedarville to Fort Bidwell, then east into Nevada, south through western Nevada, and back to Cedarville. The loop is approximately 93 miles long. The route and distance answer different planning questions: the sequence shows the route to Fort Bidwell and then through Nevada, while the approximate mileage gives you a sense of the loop’s overall length. Unlike the individual options in the Warner Mountains, the byway is a clearly defined loop with a named starting point and return destination.

A Specific Amenity

Most rooms at Surprise Valley Hot Springs have private outdoor soaking tubs supplied with healing mineral waters. This feature is part of the room amenities at this accommodation. If a private outdoor soaking tub influences your choice, check the details for the room you select when making a specific inquiry.

Discover more destinations: Mammoth, New Pine Creek, Alturas.

View the broader travel guide: Modoc.