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Mill Creek Falls
Campground
Modoc Nat'l
Forest - Warner Mountain Ranger District
 The Mill
Creek Falls Campground is located at the south end of
the beautiful and lush Warner Mountain Range. The
Warners are a pretty chain of extinct volcanoes.
This range is wetter than most in this area, largely due
to it's relatively higher elevation and volcanic origin
(volcanic rock does not absorb water and it is more
fertile).
One of the
most significant features of the Mill Creek Falls camp
is that it is accessible completely by paved road.
That's quite rare in the Modoc region. And the fact
that this camp is so nice is just an added bonus.
This campground is set up in one
simple paved loop at the end of the Mill Creek Road.
Sites are under tall and shady, ponderosa and jeffrey pines.
The elevation is low, so it can be warm here, making the
generous shade appreciated. Sites are averagely
spread apart, with only a couple being quite close to
neighbors.
Water
spigots and garbage cans are conveniently located near
each site. Each site has a fire pit with one of
those flip over grill attachments so you can cook right
over your fire. Toilets were very
clean...impressively so for a holiday weekend.
Sites 10 - 14 are close enough to the waterfalls that
they can be heard...a dull roar, but a pleasant white
noise. Great for sleeping.
The Clear
Lake/Poison Flat Trails depart from the back of the
campground. From the trailhead, it is
approximately 10 minutes to Mill Creek Falls (no more
than 100' elevation change whole route). Further
beyond that is Clear Lake at approximately 25 minute
walk (a little more difficult). There is a
pleasant trail around Clear Lake with a nifty foot
bridge across Mill Creek at the outlet. From here
you can continue up into the South Warner Wilderness
connecting with the Summit Trail or you can connect to
other campgrounds at Patterson, Emerson, Soup Springs or
Pepperdine using a shuttle (not provided, of course).
I love the Warners, if you
couldn't tell. The bottom line with Mill Creek
Falls is the camp is very accessible, and thus
usually is busy on the weekends. And the camp isn't
very large either, so expect company. You'll
probably need to show up early for a holiday.
Nearby Soup Springs is usually a safe bet when Mill
Creek is full. Reviewed 05/1997, 07/2005.
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