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MONUMENT DETAILS

A Biodiverse Region

OVERVIEW

Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is a place unlike any other.

Stretching across the convergence of the Cascades, Siskiyous, and Klamath Mountains, the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is recognized as one of the most biodiverse landscapes in North America. Established to safeguard biodiversity, the Monument connects ecosystems and species across this unique region.

Quick Facts

  • The only National Monument designated solely to protect biodiversity
  • Designated in 2000 by President Bill Clinton (52,947 acres)
  • Expanded in 2017 by President Barack Obama (an additional 48,000 acres)
  • Protects more than 114,000 acres of public land
  • Nearly 700 plant species documented
  • More than 120 butterfly species
  • Over 200 species of birds
  • 7 native fish species
Pilot rock with mountains in distance and gnarled tree in foreground at dusk
Pilot Rock view
Western Tanager closeup photo by Nick Viani
Western Tanager (photo: Nick Viani)
Soda Mountain view photo by John Craig
Soda Mountain view (photo: John Craig)
Henderson's Fawn Lily closeup
Henderson’s Fawn Lily
hikers in oak savanna section of Greensprings Loop Trail
Oak savanna on Greensprings Loop Trail
Silvery blue butterfly closeup
Silvery blue butterfly
Hyatt Lake with fishing boat and Mount McLoughlin looming beyond
Hyatt Lake and Mt. McLoughlin
Pacific Spiketail dragonfly closeup photo by Dennis Paulson
Pacific Spiketail dragonfly (photo: Dennis Paulson)
Checker Lily (Fritillaria affinis)
Checker Lily (Fritillaria affinis)
rugged mountaintop rock formations against blue sky
Dramatic rock formations
Tolmie’s cats ear (Calochortus tolmiei) at Greensprings area
Tolmie’s cats ear (Calochortus tolmiei)
hiker on trail to Pilot Rock with dramatic clouds in blue sky
Hiking trail to Pilot Rock
large pool at bottom of Lost Falls
Lost Falls (photo: Sarah Martinez)
Pacific Tree Frog in hand closeup
Pacific Tree Frog
cross-country skier admiring view of snowy mountain peaks in distance
Cross-country skiing in the Monument

Unique Features

The Monument encompasses a diverse mosaic of habitats, including oak woodlands, mountain meadows, old-growth conifer forests, and riparian wetlands. These landscapes sustain thousands of species, from the threatened Mardon skipper butterfly and migratory songbirds to Roosevelt elk and beaver. Landmarks such as Pilot Rock, Soda Mountain, and Hyatt Lake attract visitors for their striking scenery as well as their ecological importance.

National Conservation Lands

Part of National Conservation Lands

Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is part of the Bureau of Land Management’s National Conservation Lands, a system of lands and waters set aside for their ecological, cultural, and scientific value. The Monument is unique in this system, standing as the only unit designated specifically to safeguard biodiversity.

Learn more
Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Map
Monument Map

Explore More

Each facet of the Monument tells a deeper story. Learn more through the pages below:

  • Plan Your Visit – Trails, camping, maps, and mindful recreation.
  • People of the Monument (coming soon) – Indigenous history, cultural connections, and early settler presence.
  • Science – Biodiversity, ecological research, and ongoing monitoring.
  • History (coming soon) – Designation, expansion, and defense of the Monument.
  • Current Issues – Today’s challenges and opportunities for protection.

Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is a place of science, culture, and wild beauty. Whether you are hiking its trails, supporting stewardship, or learning about its history, the Monument offers a deeper understanding of the landscapes and communities it protects.

butterfly

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