Cinder Flats Wildlife Area

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Parks

California

Nearby: Mcarthur-Burney Falls State Park Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park

Last Updated: December 6, 2025

Cinder Flats Wildlife Area is located in northeastern California, near the town of Alturas.

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Summary

It covers 23,000 acres of high desert landscape and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife watchers.

One of the main reasons to visit Cinder Flats is to see the diverse range of wildlife that call the area home. Visitors can spot mule deer, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, sage grouse, and many other species. The area is also known for its beautiful wildflowers, which bloom in the spring and summer months.

There are several points of interest to see within the Cinder Flats Wildlife Area, including the Ash Creek Wildlife Area, which is located adjacent to Cinder Flats and offers additional opportunities for wildlife viewing and hiking. The Cinder Butte lookout provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and is a great spot for birdwatching.

Interesting facts about the area include its volcanic history, which has resulted in unique geological formations and soils that support a variety of plant and animal life. Cinder Flats also serves as an important habitat for migratory birds, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers.

The best time of year to visit Cinder Flats Wildlife Area depends on the visitor's interests. Spring and summer are the best times for wildflower viewing and hiking, while fall and winter offer opportunities for hunting and wildlife watching. The area can get hot in the summer months, so visitors should plan accordingly and bring plenty of water.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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